How to Allow Reviews on a Facebook Page

Looking for a way to let customers share their feedback on your Facebook Page? You're in the right place. Enabling reviews - which Facebook now calls Recommendations - is one of the most effective ways to build trust and social proof for your business. This guide will walk you through exactly how to turn this feature on, how to manage the feedback you receive, and how to encourage more customers to leave a recommendation.

Why Facebook Recommendations Are a Game-Changer for Your Business

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." Social proof is a powerful force in marketing. When potential customers see that others have had a positive experience with your business, it instantly builds trust. Think about it: you're far more likely to try a new restaurant that your friends have raved about. Facebook Recommendations are the digital version of that word-of-mouth referral.

Here’s what enabling them can do for you:

• Build Credibility: A page with genuine, positive recommendations immediately feels more legitimate and trustworthy than one without. It shows you’re an established business with real customers.
• Improve Visibility: Positive recommendations can act as signals to Facebook’s algorithm, potentially giving your Page a small boost. For local businesses, they can also factor into how you appear in local search results both on and off Facebook.
• Gather Valuable Feedback: Recommendations aren't just for show. They are a direct line to your customer's experience. You can learn what you're doing well and identify areas for improvement - all for free.
• Create User-Generated Content: Every recommendation is a piece of content created by a fan. Sharing positive feedback on your other social channels or your website is a great way to amplify your brand’s positive reputation.

A Quick Note: The Shift from "Reviews" to "Recommendations"

If you've been managing a Facebook Page for a while, you might remember the 5-star rating system. A few years ago, Facebook replaced this system with "Recommendations." The core idea is the same, but the functionality is a bit different.

Instead of leaving a star rating, users are now asked a simple question: "Do you recommend [Your Page Name]?"

They can answer "Yes" or "No."

If they answer "Yes," they are prompted to provide more context by selecting from a list of positive tags (like "great service" or "professional staff") and can write a public post explaining their experience. This recommendation will appear on your Page. If they answer "No," they are prompted to select from negative tags (like "poor communication") and can explain what went wrong in a private message to you. This feedback is meant to be constructive and isn't displayed publicly.

This change was designed to encourage more detailed and helpful feedback. It’s a subtle but important distinction to understand as you start managing this feature.

How to Allow Reviews (Recommendations) on Your Facebook Page: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to turn on the feature? The process is straightforward, but the exact steps depend on whether you’re using the Meta Business Suite or managing your page directly on Facebook. Both paths lead to the same result.

One important thing to check first: your Page Category. Some categories, such as "Government Organization" or "Community," don't have the option to enable recommendations. Most business-focused categories, like "Local Business," "Restaurant," or "Shopping & Retail," will have this functionality. If you don't see the options below, you may need to update your Page's category first.

Method 1: Using the Meta Business Suite (Recommended)

The Meta Business Suite is the central hub for managing your professional Facebook and Instagram presence. It’s the easiest place to find these settings.

1. Log in to Meta Business Suite: Go to business.facebook.com and select the business account connected to your Page.
2. Navigate to Page Settings: In the left-hand menu, look for the "All tools" icon (it looks like a grid of squares). Click it, and then under the "Manage" section, select "Page Settings."
3. Find Templates and Tabs: On the Page Settings screen, you'll see another left-hand menu. Click on "Templates and Tabs."
4. Locate and Enable the Reviews Tab: This screen shows you the current template your Page is using ("Standard" is the default for most) and the tabs that are visible. Scroll down the list of tabs until you find "Reviews." If it's already on, great! If not, click the toggle switch next to it to turn it on (it will turn blue).
5. Check Your Page: Once enabled, go back to your public-facing Facebook Page. You should now see a "Reviews" or "Recommendations" tab, usually located under your Page’s cover photo.

Method 2: Directly from Your Facebook Page

If you prefer to work directly on your Facebook Page (New Pages Experience), the steps are very similar.

1. Go to your Facebook Page: Make sure you are interacting as your Page, not your personal profile.
2. Access a "Settings" or "Manage" Shortcut: Look for a button that says "Manage" near the top of your Page, just under the cover photo. Click it. From there, look for a shortcut or section that takes you to advanced settings.
3. Alternatively, find "Settings": An easier way is often to click on your Page's profile icon in the top-right corner of Facebook, then select "Settings & Privacy," and then "Settings." From the left-hand menu, select "Privacy," and then "Page and Tagging."
4. Allow recommendations: Inside "Page and Tagging" settings you will find "Allow others to view and leave reviews on your Page". Toggle it on and you are done.
5. Customize Tab Order (Optional): If you want the "Reviews" tab to be more prominent, you can drag and drop it higher up the list. Putting it near the top makes it easier for visitors to find and read what others are saying about you.

That's it! The Recommendations feature is now active on your Page, and customers can start sharing their feedback.

Best Practices for Managing Your Facebook Recommendations

Enabling recommendations is just the first step. Actively managing them is where you can turn this feature into a powerful asset for your brand. Here's how to handle feedback like a pro.

Always Respond to Positive Recommendations

When someone takes the time to say something nice about your business, acknowledge it! A simple and prompt response goes a long way.

• Be Personal: Instead of a generic "Thanks!", mention something specific from their review. For example, "Thanks, Sarah! We're so glad you enjoyed the spicy tuna roll. Hope to see you again soon!"
• Be Timely: Try to respond within 24 hours. This shows that you're attentive and appreciate the feedback.
• Encourage More Engagement: End your response with a question or a call to action, like "What will you try on your next visit?"

How to Handle Negative Feedback Gracefully

Negative feedback can feel like a personal attack, but it’s an opportunity to demonstrate excellent customer service. How you respond publicly can win over more customers than the negative review itself might deter.

1. Don't Delete It (Unless It's Spam): Removing legitimate negative feedback looks like you're hiding something. It's better to address it head-on.
2. Respond Quickly and Publicly: Acknowledge the person's experience promptly. "Hi John, we're sorry to hear your experience didn't meet your expectations." This shows others you are listening.
3. Apologize and Show Empathy: Whether you think the complaint is valid or not, show empathy for their frustration. A simple apology can de-escalate the situation.
4. Take the Conversation Offline: Offer to resolve the issue privately. "We want to make this right. Could you please send us a direct message with your contact details so we can follow up?" This prevents a public back-and-forth and shows you're taking action.
5. Know When to Report: If a review is blatant spam, contains hate speech, is completely irrelevant, or appears to be a fraudulent attack, you can report it to Facebook. Click the three dots (...) next to the recommendation and select "Find support or report recommendation."

How to Proactively Get More Recommendations

Don't just wait for feedback to trickle in - be active in asking for it! The more positive recommendations you have, the more powerful they become.

• Just Ask! The simplest method is often the most effective. When a customer has a great experience in-store or compliments your service, ask them to share their thoughts on your Facebook Page.
• Use a Direct Link: Your Facebook Page has a dedicated reviews link. It's simply [Your Facebook Page URL]/reviews. Add this link to your email signatures, post-purchase follow-up emails, or marketing newsletters.
• Create a QR Code: For brick-and-mortar businesses, a QR code that links directly to your reviews page is a fantastic tool. Place it at your register, on receipts, or on table tents.
• Run a Low-Key "Campaign": Create a friendly social media post every now and then asking your followers to share their experiences. Something like, "We love hearing from you! If you've had a great experience with us, we'd appreciate it if you could leave a recommendation on our Page!"

Final Thoughts

Enabling Facebook Recommendations is a simple technical step that unlocks a huge opportunity to build social proof, demonstrate excellent customer service, and gather priceless feedback directly from your community. By following these steps to turn the feature on and actively engaging with the feedback you receive, you can transform your Facebook Page into a trusted resource for new and existing customers.

Of course, earning great recommendations means more people will be messaging you and commenting on your posts. All that new engagement can be a lot to keep track of, especially when you’re juggling multiple platforms. At Postbase, we built a unified inbox to bring all your DMs and comments from Facebook, Instagram, and more into one frustration-free stream. It helps you stay on top of a growing community, so you can respond quickly, build relationships, and never miss an important conversation.