How to Ask for Recommendations on Facebook

Tired of endlessly scrolling through anonymous, potentially fake online reviews? The best recommendations often come from people you already know and trust, and Facebook is the perfect place to tap into that collective wisdom. This guide will walk you through exactly how to ask for recommendations on Facebook, from using the platform's basic feature to crafting compelling posts that get you the detailed, helpful answers you're looking for.

Why Facebook is Your Go-To for Trusted Recommendations

Before jumping into the "how," it's worth understanding the "why." When you ask for a recommendation on Google, you get algorithms. When you ask on Facebook, you get genuine experiences from your community - friends, family, and neighbors who understand your context, your tastes, and your local area. This is the power of social proof in its most authentic form. You're not just getting a rating, you're getting stories, advice, and direct feedback from people whose opinions you actually value.

Whether you're looking for a reliable plumber, a new salon, the best tacos in your city, or even a B2B software recommendation for your business, your network is an incredibly powerful resource. A generic five-star review can't tell you that a certain restaurant has amazing service but gets loud on weekends, or that a plumber is fantastic but is always booked weeks in advance. Your friends can. Asking effectively is simply about learning how to unlock that high-quality, nuanced advice.

The Easiest Method: Using Facebook's Built-in "Recommendation" Feature

Facebook has a dedicated feature designed for this very purpose, and it's the fastest way to get started. It automatically formats your post as a request, adds a helpful map to your post, and notifies relevant local business pages.

This method is fantastic for local service requests, like finding a dentist in a specific neighborhood or locating a dog-friendly cafe nearby. Here's the step-by-step process:

How to Use the Feature on Desktop or Mobile:

1. Start a New Post: Go to your Facebook News Feed or your personal profile and click on the "What's on your mind?" field to create a new post.
2. Find the "Ask for Recommendations" Option: Below the text box, you'll see several options like "Photo/video," "Tag people," etc. Click the three dots ("...") to see more options. From the menu that appears, select "Ask for Recommendations."
3. Define Your Location: Facebook will ask "What are you looking for?" and "Where?". It often auto-populates your current city, but you can change this. You can get as specific as a particular neighborhood. A map visualization will appear, helping friends see exactly the area you're interested in.
4. Write Your Question: In the text field, explain what you need. Instead of a generic query, be as descriptive as you can. For example, instead of just "Coffee shop?", try writing "Looking for a quiet coffee shop in the downtown area with reliable Wi-Fi for work meetings. Anyone have a favorite spot?"
5. Post It: Once you're done, click "Post." Your request will appear in your friends' News Feeds with special formatting that makes it stand out as a recommendation request.

Pros and Cons of the Built-in Feature

• Pros: It's easy, fast, and visually appealing. The map is a great feature for location-specific requests, and local businesses are sometimes notified, which can lead to direct offers or information.
• Cons: It can feel a bit transactional and sometimes doesn't get as much engagement as a standard, personal post. It's primarily designed for finding businesses with Facebook Pages, so it’s less effective for asking about products, general advice, or freelancers who might not have a formal page.

The Pro Approach: Crafting a Standard Post That Gets Amazing Responses

For more nuanced requests or situations where you want to maximize engagement, writing a standard post often works better. A well-crafted personal post stands out in a crowded feed and invites more detailed, conversational replies. This is where you can truly tap into the knowledge of your network.

1. Get Ultra-Specific in Your Ask

Vague questions get vague answers. The single most important thing you can do to get helpful recommendations is to be incredibly specific about what you need. Don't make your friends guess.

• Weak: "Any good Italian restaurants?"
• Strong: "My parents are visiting next weekend, and I want to take them to a nice, sit-down Italian restaurant downtown. Looking for somewhere with a classic menu (think lasagna, chicken parm), not too loud, and ideally with a decent wine list. Budget is around $50 a person."

The second option gives your network specific criteria to work with - occasion, vibe, location, menu type, and budget. You'll get fewer, but far better, suggestions.

2. Add a Personal Story

People connect with stories, not just questions. Briefly explain why you're asking. It provides context and makes people more invested in helping you.

• Instead of: "Need a roofer."
• Try: "Woke up to a lovely water stain on my ceiling this morning. 😩 Looking for recommendations for a reliable roofer in the Heights who does good work and won't give a ridiculously expensive quote. Anyone had a great experience recently?"

The touch of personal frustration is relatable and prompts people who've been in the same situation to share the person who helped them out.

3. Choose the Right Audience (And Group)

You don't always have to post to your main feed. Sometimes, the most valuable insights live in niche Facebook Groups. Before you post, think about where the experts are.

• For your main feed: Best for general recommendations like restaurants, movies, or books where your friends' tastes are what matter most.
• For local community groups: Unbeatable for home services (plumbers, electricians), childcare, local events, or specific neighborhood questions. Your neighbors know what’s up.
• For hobby groups: Need a recommendation for a new hiking backpack or a specific brand of yarn? Your hiking or knitting group is your best bet for expert opinions.

4. Gently Tag Relevant Friends

Got a friend who is an incredible cook? Tag them on your restaurant post. Know someone who just renovated their kitchen? They're the perfect person to ask about contractors. Tagging one or two highly relevant people can jumpstart the conversation. Just use this sparingly - tagging a dozen people feels spammy and can backfire.

A good way to do this is to frame it within your post: "...Hey @JaneDoe, didn't you just get your kitchen redone? Would love to hear who you used if you were happy with them!"

5. Use a Photo to Stop the Scroll

Posts with images get significantly more attention on Facebook. While not always necessary, an image can help your request stand out. If you're looking for a specific product, include a picture of what you have now. If you're asking for advice on painting your living room, include a photo of the room itself. A simple, relevant photo can make all the difference.

Example of a Great Recommendation Post

Scenario: Looking for a Landscaper

"It's that time of year - my front yard is officially out of control! I'm looking for a professional landscaper or landscaping company that services the Springfield area to help me with a spring cleanup (weeds, mulch, trimming some bushes). The goal is something low-maintenance but clean. Anyone have someone they absolutely love and trust? Thanks in advance!"

Why This Works:

• Personal Context: "Jungle" and "out of control" are relatable and funny.
• Specificity: Details the exact services needed (cleanup, mulch, trimming) and location (Springfield).
• Clear Goal: "Low-maintenance but clean" helps define the desired outcome.

The Follow-Up: What to Do After You Get a Ton of Suggestions

Your work isn't done once you hit "Post." Engaging with the replies is not only polite but also builds goodwill for the next time you need help. It shows your network that you value their time and input.

1. Acknowledge Every Suggestion: At a minimum, "like" every comment. A quick reply like "Thanks for the suggestion!" or "Oh, I haven't heard of that one, I'll check it out!" goes a long way.
2. Ask Follow-Up Questions: If someone recommends a mechanic, ask them, "Was their pricing fair? What did you have them work on?" Interacting with the answers encourages even more detail and helps others following the thread.
3. Close the Loop: This is the step most people forget. Once you've made a decision, add a new comment to your original post. Say something like, "Update: Thanks for all the amazing recommendations! We ended up trying 'Luigi's Pizzeria' and it was perfect. Seriously appreciate all the input!" This not only shows appreciation but also validates the suggestions for anyone else who might find your post in the future.
4. Consider a Review Post: If you had a fantastic experience based on a friend's recommendation, a brand new post shouting them out ("Huge thanks to @JohnSmith for recommending ACME Plumbers! They just fixed my leak and were fast and professional. Highly recommend!") is a fantastic way to pay it forward.

Final Thoughts

Asking for recommendations on Facebook is one of the most practical ways to use social media. By moving beyond generic questions and crafting specific, personal, and well-targeted posts, you can access incredibly valuable advice from the people who know you best.

Managing the follow-up, like scheduling that "thank you" or review post we talked about, is a small but powerful way to build community and showcase authenticity for your brand - whether that brand is your company or just your personal reputation. We actually built Postbase to make managing exactly these kinds of interactions easy. With our visual calendar, you can plan out all your social content in one place, ensuring helpful posts like community updates and thank-yous don't fall through the cracks while you're busy with bigger campaigns.