Social9 TeamProduct, content and engineering team at Social9
Mastodon for small business: how to join, post and grow without ads
A plain-English guide to Mastodon for small businesses: choosing a server, setting up a profile, posting etiquette, hashtags and a simple weekly routine.
On this page
To get more likes and followers on a Facebook Page for free, start by completing and optimizing the Page, then post useful content consistently (short videos especially), reply to every comment, invite people who already know your business, and promote the Page everywhere you already reach customers. One thing has changed since most "get more Facebook likes" advice was written: Meta's redesigned Pages focus on followers rather than likes, so follower count is the number to grow and track.
Below are 18 free tactics that still work in 2026, grouped by where they help: the Page itself, your content, your existing audience and promotion off Facebook.
Likes vs. followers on Facebook Pages today
When Facebook redesigned Pages in 2021, it removed the Like button from public Pages and shifted the focus to followers. The reasoning was simple: followers are the people who actually get your updates in their feed, so they are a more honest measure of reach.
In practice:
- Followers are the audience that matters. They can see your posts in their feed.
- "Likes" still appear on older Pages, in some reports and in everyday language, which is why people still search for "more Facebook likes."
- Post engagement (reactions, comments, shares, saves, clicks) is what helps your content reach people who don't follow you yet.
Everything below helps with both: more real followers, and more engagement on what you post.
Optimize the Page itself
1. Complete every section of your Page
An incomplete Page looks abandoned. Fill in your category, description, website, phone number, address, hours, service area and contact button. People who land on your Page decide in seconds whether to follow, and a complete profile answers the "Is this business real and active?" question.
2. Use searchable words in your name and description
Facebook search and Google both read your Page name and description. Use the words customers would type: "Riverside Dental Clinic, family dentist in Austin" is more findable than a clever tagline. Don't stuff keywords; one clear sentence about what you do and where is enough.
3. Claim a clean username
A short username gives you a memorable link (facebook.com/yourbusiness) to put on menus, packaging and business cards. Keep it consistent with your handles on other networks if you can.
4. Make the cover and profile image work hard
Use your logo as the profile picture so it is recognizable at small sizes. Use the cover image to show what you do and, if it fits, a current offer or event. Update the cover seasonally so returning visitors see something fresh.
Post content people want to follow
5. Lead with short video
Meta has said that all new Facebook videos are being shared as Reels, and Reels are recommended to people who don't follow you. That makes short vertical video one of the best ways to reach new people. Simple formats work for small businesses:
- Behind the scenes: packing an order, prepping the kitchen, setting up a job.
- Quick tips: "Three things to check before you book a moving company."
- Before and after: a haircut, a renovated room, a cleaned car.
Open with the payoff in the first couple of seconds, and add captions because many people watch with the sound off.
6. Mix formats instead of repeating one
A healthy weekly mix for most Pages: one or two short videos, a photo post, a helpful text post or question, and an occasional link to your site. Photo carousels and albums work well for products and events. If every post is a sales link, people stop engaging.
7. Keep promotion to a minority of posts
A useful rule of thumb is to keep most posts helpful, entertaining or community-focused, and only a minority directly promotional. The exact ratio matters less than the principle: give people a reason to follow beyond "here's our latest offer."
8. Write posts that invite replies
Comments and shares do more than reactions for reach. Ask questions people can answer in a few words:
Which would you rather see on our menu this autumn: pumpkin soup or roasted squash salad? 🍂
What's one thing you wish you'd known before your first kitchen remodel?
Avoid "engagement bait" such as "Like if you agree" or "Share to win," which Meta has long said it demotes.
9. Post consistently, and at the right times
A Page that posts every week looks active and stays in followers' feeds. Pick a rhythm you can keep, such as three to five posts a week, and schedule posts in advance so a busy week doesn't leave your Page silent. For timing, use our best times to post on social media guide as a starting point and confirm it with your Page insights.
10. Use your insights to repeat what works
Once a month, check Page insights (in Meta Business Suite or the Professional dashboard) for the posts with the highest reach, shares and new follows. Make more of those formats and topics, and drop the ones that consistently fall flat.
Turn your existing audience into followers
11. Invite people who already know you
Your fastest new followers are people who already know your business. Facebook lets Page admins invite friends to like or follow the Page. Use it, but be selective: invite people who are genuinely relevant, such as local friends for a local business.
12. Ask customers at the moment they're happiest
The best time to ask for a follow is right after a good experience: after a purchase, a finished job or a positive review. Add a "Follow us on Facebook for tips and offers" line to order confirmation pages, receipts, thank-you emails and invoices.
13. Reply to every comment and message
People follow businesses that feel human. Reply to comments within a day, answer messages quickly, and thank people for shares and reviews. Active conversations also send positive signals about your posts.
14. Get your team involved (without forcing it)
Employees can follow the Page, share posts they're genuinely proud of, and list the business as their workplace on their profiles. Make it easy and optional. A team that shares occasionally and authentically does more than one that's told to like everything.
Promote your Page beyond your own feed
15. Take part in relevant Groups as your Page
Facebook Groups are where many local and niche conversations happen. Where a group allows it, join and contribute as your Page, answering questions and sharing expertise rather than dropping links. You can also start your own group around a shared interest (a local running club for a sports shop, a beginners' group for a craft supply store) and link it to your Page.
16. Partner with complementary businesses
Team up with a business that serves the same customers without competing: a florist and a wedding photographer, a gym and a meal-prep company. Co-host a live session, run a joint giveaway or share each other's posts.
17. Run giveaways the right way
Giveaways can bring a quick wave of followers, but follow Meta's promotion rules: you can't require people to share on their timeline or tag friends to enter. Asking for a comment is fine. Choose a prize only your target customers would want, such as a free service or product bundle, so you don't attract followers who'll never buy.
18. Put your Page link everywhere you already reach people
- Website: add a Facebook icon in the header or footer, or embed your Page with Meta's Page plugin.
- Email: add the link to your signature and newsletter footer, and send your list a one-time note about what they'll get by following.
- Other networks: cross-promote a specific Facebook-only reason to follow, like live Q&As or a community group.
- Offline: print your Page QR code or short link on menus, packaging, flyers, shop windows and business cards.
A simple 30-day plan to grow your Page
If you want a starting routine rather than 18 separate ideas, run this for a month:
| Week | Focus | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fix the Page | Complete every section, update cover and profile images, claim the username, add the link to your website and email signature |
| 2 | Invite your audience | Invite relevant contacts, email your customer list, add "follow us" to receipts and thank-you pages |
| 3 | Publish consistently | Schedule 3 to 5 posts a week, including at least one short video and one question post |
| 4 | Review and expand | Check insights, double down on the top format, join two relevant Groups, plan one partner post or giveaway |
Writing and scheduling three to five posts every week is where most small businesses stall. A scheduler takes care of the publishing. Social9's AI Autopilot goes further: it drafts a week of Facebook posts in your brand voice, slots them into your calendar and waits for your approval before anything goes live. You can also draft individual posts with the free Facebook post creator, and see what Social9 publishes to Pages on the Facebook channel page.
What not to do
- Don't buy likes or followers. They're usually fake or inactive, they lower your engagement rate and they break Meta's rules on inauthentic behavior.
- Don't join "like for like" groups. Followers who aren't interested in your business never engage again.
- Don't post only links and offers. People follow for value, not ads.
- Don't let the Page go quiet. A last post from months ago tells visitors you may not be open.
The bottom line
The goal isn't a big number; it's an audience of real customers who see and act on your posts. Get the Page in shape, post useful short videos and conversations on a steady schedule, invite the people who already know you, and promote the Page wherever you already meet customers. Follower growth follows from that.
Frequently asked questions
Are Facebook Page likes and followers the same thing?
Not quite. On classic Pages, people could like a Page and separately follow it. Meta's redesigned Pages removed the Like button and focus on followers, because followers are the people who actually receive your updates. You'll still see the word "likes" in older Pages, tools and reports, but follower count is the number to grow and track today.
How can I get more Facebook Page followers for free?
Complete every section of the Page, post consistently with a mix of short videos, photos and helpful text posts, reply to comments quickly, and invite people who already know you, such as customers, email subscribers and friends. Add your Page link to your website, email signature, receipts and other social profiles, and take part in relevant Groups as your Page.
Should I buy Facebook likes or followers?
No. Bought likes and followers are usually fake or inactive accounts. They don't buy anything, they drag down your engagement rate, which can hurt how widely your posts are shown, and they break Meta's rules against inauthentic behavior. A smaller audience of real customers is worth far more than a large number that never interacts.
How often should a business post on its Facebook Page?
Consistency matters more than volume. Most small businesses do well with three to five posts a week, mixing short videos, photos and helpful text posts. Pick a rhythm you can keep for months, schedule posts in advance, and check Page insights monthly to see which formats and times get the most reach and engagement.
Can I run a giveaway to get more Facebook followers?
Yes, but follow Meta's promotion rules. You can't require people to share the post on their timeline or tag friends as a condition of entry. Asking people to comment or react is fine. Keep the prize relevant to your customers, so the new followers you attract are people who might actually buy from you.
