Google’s AIO rewrites articles without adding unique analysis or insights, essentially meeting the definition of low-value content.

The post Does Google’s AI Overviews Violate Its Own Spam Policies? appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

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With zero-click results and AI Overviews dominating the SERP, SEO pros must adapt. This article breaks down key shifts in behavior, metrics, and strategy.

The post From Search To Discovery: Why SEO Must Evolve Beyond The SERP appeared first on Search Engine Journal.

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As a millennial, I’m not ashamed to be a Facebook fan, and it turns out that I’m not alone.

About 69% of my generational cohort is still active on the platform. Although only 37% of Gen Z are active users, Facebook still boasts a solid presence among older generations, with 6.6% of users aged 65 and up. In total, approximately 3.07 billion people log on to the little blue app every month. 

Facebook’s size alone makes it hard to ignore. But it’s not just about numbers. With its mix of generations, built-in community features, and powerful tools for targeting and content, Facebook is still a key player for brands and creators.

Thanks to new updates in AI, video, and even e-commerce, it keeps evolving with the times, which means there are still plenty of opportunities if you know how to tap into them. 

All this considered, it’s no surprise that creators and marketers want to know: How do I get more followers on Facebook?

The good news: You don’t need viral hacks or a massive ad budget to grow your Facebook following — just consistent, strategic habits and the right tools. 

That’s exactly what we’ll work through in this guide: 10 practical tips for creators and marketers on how to grow Facebook followers (without ads) in 2025. 

Jump to a section: 

Growing your followers across multiple social media accounts? Here’s how to get your first 1,000 followers across other social media platforms.

1. Set up your Facebook Page or professional mode 

A new padel court just opened in my area. Next thing, I see a ‘People you may know profile’ for the business. It’s an easy mistake to make, but this is a crucial first step:  If you want to get more Facebook followers, don’t make a personal profile for your business — you need to create a Facebook Page.

If you have a personal profile, Facebook users will only be able to add you as a friend, and they won’t see a ‘follow’ button. 

To get more followers on Facebook, you have two options: 

1. Create a Facebook Page for your business, organization, or brand. 
2. Switch to professional mode. Here’s how:

Which option is best? In most cases, I’d recommend a Facebook Page, which gives you access to more advanced tools like Facebook Ads Manager.

Once you’ve set up your Facebook Page or profile, be sure to complete every field available so that your followers and potential followers know you’re legit. 

Here’s a quick checklist of the basics:

• Featured posts to draw attention to important or top content.
• Phone number and business hours (if applicable).
• Action button (you can choose from options like ‘Book now,’ ‘Sign up,’ or ‘View Shop.’).
• Link to your website.
• Page category that helps Facebook show your page to the right audience.
• Bio or About section that contains keywords about your business, brand, or niche.
• High-quality profile photo and cover photo.

Want to set your Facebook presence up for success? Here’s your cheat sheet of recommended Facebook image sizes. 

2. Share authentic content that starts conversations

With so many creators and brands active on Facebook, the bar for quality content is high, but don’t let that intimidate you. Facebook is pretty clear about what works well in the newsfeed. 

According to Meta, “The goal of Facebook is to connect people to content that’s meaningful or informative to them. We are not focused on picking which issues the world should read about, but we are in the business of connecting people with content they find most meaningful. Publishers should ideally focus on what they do best — making content that is interesting to their audience.”

In other words, the content that grows your Facebook follower base is: 

1. the content that matters to your audience,
2. and the stuff that you know a lot about, 
3. presented in a way that your audience wants to consume it. 

Here’s how to do that: 

• Understand your audience: Take the time to learn what they care about, what questions they have, and what kind of content they engage with most.
• Create high-quality, original content: Share your perspective, your expertise, and your story. Originality builds credibility and helps you stand out.
• Encourage interaction: Ask thoughtful questions, invite feedback, or spark conversations in the comments.
• Incorporate eye-catching images or video: Visuals stop the scroll. Use photos, graphics, or short videos to bring your message to life.
• Build trust through accurate, well-sourced information: Whether you’re sharing stats, tips, or breaking news, double-check your facts and cite your sources when needed.
• Post consistently, but not excessively: Find a rhythm that works for you and your audience. Quality always beats quantity.
• Test and tweak: Try different post formats, topics, and times of day. Then check your analytics and adjust based on what’s working.

In a nutshell: You don’t need to go viral to grow — just focus on creating content that’s useful, true to your voice, and designed with your audience in mind. 

Learn more about how content is ranked on the newsfeed:  Here’s everything we know about how the Facebook algorithm works and how to get your content in front of as many eyes as possible.

3. Keep showing up 

Want more Facebook followers? You’re going to need to show up on their feeds and continue providing value. I don’t know about you, but when I look at a business page on Facebook and see that it hasn’t been updated in months (or even years), I start to question whether they’re still in business. 

It goes without saying that all social networks benefit from users actively creating valuable content there, and they reward people for doing so. Whether you’re looking to grow on Instagram, build a personal brand on LinkedIn, or increase your following on TikTok, consistency might be the closest thing you have to a magic bullet for growing your audience.

How often should you post? That depends on your target audience. Finding the sweet spot for your audience and growth will take time and experimentation, but my best advice is to post as often as you’re able to keep up with — whether that’s daily or once a week.

The reality is that creating content takes work, and the last thing you want to do is burn out before you start to see results. 

3 top tips to help you stay consistent and get more Facebook followers 

If you’re trying to build an audience on Facebook, you don’t have to be online 24/7. These three simple tips can help you stay on track and keep your content flowing, even on your busiest days:

1. Create a social media content calendar 

One of the easiest ways to stay consistent is by planning ahead. That’s where a content calendar comes in. Instead of scrambling for ideas at the last minute, you can map out your posts in advance and always have something ready to go.

A good calendar helps you spot gaps, stay balanced with your content themes, and avoid that “what should I post today?” feeling. Here’s a guide to building your calendar from scratch (and yes, there’s a handy template included).

Pro tip: Buffers’ Ideas dashboard helps you create, import, and organize your content so you can access everything at a glance and stay on top of your content planning.

2. Repurpose your best content 

Not every post needs to start from scratch. Take content that performed well on other platforms (or even earlier posts on Facebook) and give it new life. Turn a blog post into a quote graphic, or break a video into bite-sized clips. Your audience isn’t seeing everything you post, so repurposing is a smart way to stretch your efforts and reach more people. 

Pro tip: Use Buffer’s AI assistant to do your content repurposing for you. In just a few clicks, you can turn a single post into multiple formats and styles tailored to each social media platform. 

3. Use Buffer to stay on schedule 

Using Buffer has honestly been a game-changer for me. Being able to batch content and schedule it in advance means I’m not stuck posting in real time.

Features like scheduling, streaks, and posting goals help keep me on track (and motivated), especially during busy weeks when social media would otherwise fall off the radar.

We’re building Buffer to be the most flexible social media management tool on the block. Save your ideas, organize them, get help from our AI assistant, and schedule your content in one single dashboard. Here’s how. →

4. Explore images and photos 

After analyzing millions of social media posts sent through Buffer, we discovered that images are the best-performing content on Facebook when it comes to engagement.

Posts with a photo or image attached tend to get more Facebook likes, comments, and shares than any other type of content. 

Posts with photos tend to get 34.7% more engagement than text-based posts and 43.8% more engagement than video posts.

This engagement tells the Facebook algorithm that the post is valuable, making it more likely to appear in other news feeds. And if your post is showing up in more newsfeeds, that means you may attract the attention of more Facebook followers. 

That said, Facebook Reels shouldn’t be skipped, if you’re comfortable creating video, as they can help new followers find you.

Like Instagram’s Reels feed and TikTok’s For You page, the reels feed (right next to the Home button in the app) consists almost entirely of recommended content based on what the user likes and engages with. 

 I clicked on the reels button on Facebook and was served this Saturday Night Live sketch, even though I don’t follow Peacock TV (yet). I enjoy comedy, and I have a baby. Coincidence? I think not. 

Need help and inspiration to create video and other content? Check out these best-practice resources (from creators themselves)

Want to find out more about different types of social media content and what will work best for your brand? Check out our comprehensive guide. Bonus: it also has 30+ ideas for your next post. 

5. Have fun with Facebook features

Sure, video and reels get a lot of attention, but Facebook is packed with features that can help you show off your brand’s personality and reach new people. 

I also find that experimenting with different features makes content creation feel less like a chore and more like a conversation. The more fun you’re having with it, the more that energy comes through, and hopefully, more Facebook followers will find you. 

Here are some ideas to get started: 

Stories are a great place to get real. They’re temporary, low-pressure, and a great way to stay top-of-mind without overthinking it. Story ideas: 

• Behind-the-scenes moments
• Quick updates
• User-generated content
• A glimpse of your workspace

Bonus: You can schedule your stories with Buffer. 

Facebook Live is your go-to for instant connection. It’s interactive, unfiltered, and perfect for building trust.

• Host a Q&A
• Walk your followers through a how-to
• Bring them along for a day in the life
• Share how your product is made or shipped

Bonus: Facebook often boosts Lives in the algorithm, so you’re getting a chance to reach more potential followers organically. 

If you host any events, virtual or IRL, you’d be remiss not to promote them with a Facebook Event — these will often be recommended to non-followers interested in similar events and are a brilliant way to reach new people. Whether you’re planning a webinar, a product launch, or your monthly “just because” community hangout, Facebook Events make it super easy for people to discover what you’re up to 

Bonus: Facebook even recommends events to people outside your follower list based on their interests. Free promotion? Yes, please.

And don’t forget the little things:

• Add a GIF
• Use fun backgrounds
• Experiment with post formats
• Toss in a hashtag or two (strategically, of course)

Facebook gives you a ton of tools, so treat them like a buffet. The more engaging and eye-catching your posts are, the more likely they are to attract new followers organically. 

Pro tip: Trying out different tools and seeing what your audience responds to will help you figure out what form of content your audience finds the most engaging. 

6. Post at the best time 

According to Buffer’s analysis of millions of social media posts, the best time to post on Facebook is… drumroll:

5 a.m. on Monday.

We pinpointed other hotspot times on Tuesday at 5 a.m. and Thursday at 7 a.m., which rank in second and third place in our best time to post list, respectively.

Note that this doesn’t necessarily mean 5 a.m. is when people are seeing your Facebook posts. It’s likely the content needs time to percolate on the news feed, and your fans and followers will find it there when they log on to the platform at a more reasonable hour.

So, as a rule of thumb, early morning on weekdays is usually the best time to post on Facebook for engagement. That said, the best time to post on Facebook (or any social media platform, for that matter) always depends on your audience. 

In my own Facebook Group, for example, I’m reaching people across different time zones, so I need to hit a sweet spot that works for cross-continental working hours. 

7. Keep your audience engaged and coming back for more

No matter the platform, engagement is one of the best routes to social media success. But you can’t expect your audience to keep commenting if you’re posting and ghosting. Replying to comments and messages is, at this point, table stakes. 

Whether you’re an influencer, creator, or brand, fostering meaningful connections with your Facebook followers will help you build relationships and grow your audience. 

Here are some quick tips for engagement 2.0: 

• Reply to comments like a human, not a robot.
• Get to know your most engaged followers through their interactions.
• Build trust by answering their questions and considering their suggestions.
• Show followers that you value their engagement by sharing user-generated content (UGC).
• If they share something about your product or service, amplify it by sharing it yourself (with their permission). 
• If they tag you in a post of their own, repost it. 

For creators, here are three quick tips for more engagement from Rylee Jenkins: 

Pro tip: You can see all of your comments, stay on top of important interactions, and turn your audience into loyal followers with Buffer’s engagement dashboard. 

Stop shouting into the void. Here are nine ways to boost your social media engagement and grow a loyal follower base. 

8. Follow Facebook rules and guidelines

OK, rules aren’t exactly the most exciting part of growing your Facebook presence. But ignoring them can tank your reach (or worse, get your account restricted), so it’s worth giving Facebook’s Community Standards a quick read. 

Most of the rules are common sense — no violence, hate speech, nudity, or anything that makes the internet a less kind place. 

A few extra red flags to keep in mind:

• Fake news or misleading claims: Sharing unverified or false info, even unintentionally, can hurt your credibility and visibility.
• Clickbait: That “You won’t BELIEVE what happened next ” energy? Facebook sees right through it.
• Engagement bait: Posts that beg for likes, comments, or shares can be penalized by the algorithm.

And even if the algorithm doesn’t catch it, Facebook users can (and do) report posts that feel spammy or off. I’ve done this multiple times, especially as an admin of my group. No “Earn $10K every minute working from home” posts welcome, thank you.

Bottom line: Keep things honest, thoughtful, and aligned with Facebook’s guidelines. (I’m willing to bet that if you’re reading this post, you’re the kind of person who will do this anyway.)

9. Partner with other creators and brands 

Teaming up with another creator or brand is one of the most effective (and fun) ways to reach new people on Facebook. Look for someone whose Facebook audience complements yours, then get creative with how you collaborate. 

For example, lifestyle creators Alix Earle and Monet McMichael frequently film content together:

But you don’t both need millions of followers to create an effective collab. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Run a joint giveaway or contest: Pick a prize both audiences will love and ask folks to follow both accounts to enter.
• Cross-post each other’s content: Share a relevant post from your partner, and have them do the same. 
• Create a reel together: Hop on a trend, do a mini interview, or share tips.
• Host a joint Facebook Live: Think co-branded Q&A, workshop, or casual chat. 
• Swap guest posts or feature each other in stories: Shout each other out in your content, whether it’s a story takeover or a guest quote in your next caption.
• Co-create a mini campaign: Team up for a themed week or month of Facebook posts on a shared topic. Add custom hashtags to tie everything together.

No matter the format, the goal is the same: bring value to both audiences and help each other grow. The best collabs feel like a win-win — because they are.

10. Keep a close eye on the numbers

If you want to know what’s helping you gain new Facebook followers (and what’s not), keeping tabs on your metrics is a non-negotiable in 2025. 

Start with Facebook Insights, which gives you a breakdown of how your posts, Facebook Page, and audience are performing. 

You’ll find Facebook Insights right in your Facebook dashboard.

1. Head to Meta Business Suite
2. Click on Facebook Insights
3. Boom: reach, engagement, audience demographics, and more at your fingertips:

To take things a step further — and make your life a whole lot easier — you’ll want to try Buffer’s Facebook analytics: 

• It’s all-in-one: View your Facebook performance AND schedule content, crosspost across platforms, and even get AI help writing your captions from one (very tidy) tab.
• You can filter and compare with ease: Want to see how your Facebook content stacks up against your Instagram or LinkedIn posts? Need to sort by campaign, post type, or timeframe? You can do all that (and more) in Buffer’s dashboard.
• In my opinion, it’s way easier to use than Meta’s native tools: Buffer is clean, intuitive, and built for busy creators and marketers.
• You can analyze campaigns separately: Running a giveaway or product launch? Buffer lets you group Facebook posts into campaigns and measure their results on their own.

Buffer gives you the must-haves like:

• Impressions
• Reach
• Link clicks
• Follower growth

It also helps you quickly answer the questions that actually move the needle:

• What type of content is getting the most engagement?
• When’s the best time for me to post on Facebook?
• How often should I be posting to keep my momentum?
• What are my audience’s demographics?
• How do my organic posts compare to paid ones?

Try it for $0 today.

Want to take a deep dive into the numbers? Here are the 7 best social media monitoring tools in 2025.

Growing on Facebook is a marathon, not a sprint

There’s no magic formula for building a massive Facebook following overnight — but with a little creativity, consistency, and a focus on what your audience values most, growth will come.

Keep testing new ideas, stay curious about what’s working (and why), and don’t be discouraged if progress feels slow at times. Every post is a step forward.

Tools like Buffer can make the journey a whole lot smoother by helping you plan your content, repurpose high-performing posts, and track what resonates. With the right system in place, growing your Facebook following becomes a lot more manageable, and even fun.

You’ve got this.

Facebook Growth FAQ

How to get more organic followers on a Facebook business Page 

Wondering how to grow a Facebook Page in 2025? Start by fully setting up your page with a complete bio, high-quality visuals, contact info, and a strong call-to-action. Then post consistently, engage with your audience, and use features like reels, stories, and lives to boost reach.

Cross-promote your Facebook Page on other platforms and partner with creators or brands to tap into new audiences.

How to get more followers on Facebook in professional mode 

Optimize your profile with a clear niche, strong bio, and engaging content. Use reels and lives to show up in newsfeeds, engage with comments to build trust, and post consistently using a content calendar. 

Bonus tip: repurpose content from other platforms to keep your feed fresh with less effort.

How do I grow Facebook followers without ads?

Organic growth on Facebook starts with valuable, consistent content. Focus on what your audience cares about, post regularly, participate actively, and spark real conversations in comments and DMs. Use Facebook features to increase visibility, and don’t sleep on collaborations with creators or other brands.

How to get organic followers on Facebook 

Create content that’s helpful, entertaining, inspiring, and tailored to your ideal follower. Post consistently (a social media calendar helps), respond to comments, and make the most of features like reels and stories. Share behind-the-scenes content, celebrate milestones, and repurpose what works.

More Facebook resources

• Facebook Ad Specs + Image Sizes — Fully Updated for 2025
• How to Run Facebook Ads: Beginner’s Guide to Advertising on Facebook
• Best Time to Post on Facebook: We Analyzed 1 Million Posts
• Meta Ad Library 101: 7 Ways to Use the Facebook Ad Library to Improve Your Ads
• The Ideal Facebook Cover Photo Size and How To Make Yours Stand Out (+ 11 Ideas and Examples)
• How to Schedule Facebook Posts in 3 Easy Ways (+ Save Hours Every Week)
• Inside the Facebook Algorithm in 2025: All the Updates You Need to Know

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What a disaster for the Mexican Navy training ship hitting the Brooklyn Bridge. Apparently, it had lost power. The ship was on a cruise to quite a few ports, training naval cadets, and heading for Iceland.

I wonder what the utility of these ships is today for training purposes? The US Coast Guard has a three-masted barque for this purpose, the Eagle, which I often see from the train when traveling through New London. Connecticut. It’s well over 80 years old. Are the expenses and risks worth it to maintain these traditions? Potential pilots don’t fly B-25s from World War II.

The future navies are going to be involved with submersibles, drones, unmanned ships, missiles and so on. Our current carriers, huge targets in the sea, seem as vulnerable as the battleships were at Pearl Harbor.

Did any of you learn to drive on a manual shifting DeSoto?

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Learn how to transform your brand from a digital unknown into a recognized entity in Google’s Knowledge Graph. Jes Scholz’s Whiteboard Friday guides you through three essential steps: crafting a clear brand identity, implementing proper schema markup, and building meaningful connections that boost your visibility across Google’s ecosystem.

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This is an understandable sentiment. As jobs push people to be automatons and often offer little in the way of respect, it’s easy to quietly quit.

But perhaps, they’re not paying you enough to not care.

Spending your days, day after day, not caring is a tragedy.

They might not deserve your focus and effort, but you do.

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