I'm In Facebook Jail!
Facebook jail is an urban term for when Facebook disables or bans your account's ability to post content, to like and to share on other's posts, or to send friend requests or any other feature for a few days.
Generally the sentence for your ban is one of the following:
1-3 Hrs
3 Days
6 Days
No More than 21 Days
Permanent if you are a repeat offender
I know it often feels unfair, no judge, no jury, no real explanation of what you did.
"They" put you there. "They" decided you were wrong . . .but just who is this evil band of executioners that live at Facebook. Well you need to remember you are dealing with AI (artificial intelligence!). It reacts and learns indiscriminently.
Users often think it was the last action they did that got them put in jail. The truth is that jail isn’t an on or off thing. Facebook has an alert monitor, and the more activities that users engage in that trigger the algorithm to think that it’s an attack on their system, the more likely you are to get put in jail.
Many of the activities that business owners engage in on a regular basis look like attacks to an artificial intelligence.
Oh, and Facebook is continuously overhauling the algorithm, and well human error can be a factor, afterall the algorithm did not create itself . . . let's hope. (Who's thinking about Terminator right about now!)
These changes impact the frequency of Facebook jail time. And sometimes the things you do to find a way around it just make it worse.
At this point, there’s no evidence to suggest that any 3rd party app is the reason for Facebook jail. Though there may appear to be a relationship, its likely due to the fact that when you have a 3rd party scheduler (for instance HootSuite), you’re more likely to schedule multiple posts using similar language all at once, or post to multiple pages, or post too many images in quick succession.
It’s less about the technology and more about the technology that the behavior promotes.
So here's a basic list of things you may have done to make that old algorithm mad!
SPAM
Posting too many times too quickly (as if you are automated). Content doesn't matter here just the speed of the posts.
Posting the SAME content to too many groups.
PLAGIARISM
Copying all of another person's posts or photos (not just the link) as if it is your own.
ANONIMITY
Posting anonymously and tagging people in the post
Tagging random people
FACEBOOK MANIPULATION
Manipulating the algorithm of the site
MULTIPLE FACEBOOK ACCOUNTS
Links between accounts are explored by bots.
ACTING WEIRD
Sending friend requests to people you don't know.
Sending multiple requests at the same time (SPAM)
Advertising your business on other business pages.
Using private messaging to promote a business or business page.
PLAYING DIRTY
Beware of people who can get your page marked as spam, notice if there is constant spamming of your posts in the form of trolls.
If trolls are always on your page BAN them immediately, and report them.
COMMENTING AND LIKING
Commenting and liking at a very fast pace causes the algorithm to mark you as a spam bot. These bots mimic human behavior.
INFO OVERLOAD
Balance the info you post on your profile, not too much of any one subject.
Only post 5-6 times per day on a facebook business page. Telling customers everything and having your audience constantly being notified of such will get your page marked as spam.
ACCESSIBILITY
Business pages should have permanent, legitimate contact information
BIG NO NOs
Nude, provocative content
Hate speech, threats or attacks on a person or group
Spamming
Assuming your fan base can alter the algorithm
Don't register a fake credit card if you are doing facebook ads
So remember there are no dark web gurus or political groups scouring over every word you post . . . unless of course you are a terrorist or government operative, and that's for another blog post.
