Fan gating is an option on Facebook pages to hide content from people who have not liked a Facebook page.
Fan gating works by creating two versions of your page. One version is visible to visitors who’ve liked the page, and the other version is visible to visitors who have not liked the page.
The application I use to create Facebook pages includes SSL encryption. Images and iframes hosted outside the application are not SSL encrypted by default, they require a separate SSL cerification.
The page that is visible to non-like viewers can have an image, graphics and content in any form of html just like any other page. Facebook’s policy is that you can’t use auto playing media (i.e. videos or sound files that play automatically when the tab is loaded). If your page has auto playing files it may be shut down…use caution…I will not put auto playing media on your Facebook page.
There are reasons for Like gating, and reasons against Like gating.
The reason to Like gate is obviously to increase the number of likes by making it a requirement to access the valuable content you share with those who like the page. Once they like the page, the viewer should see posts of the page within the Recent Stories area and then the News Ticker once others like the page and comment on posts.
The Facebook News Feed Ticker displays posts and “activity stories” (such as friends commenting on other posts, liking pages, RSVPing to events, etc.). The Recent Stories area contains only posts (which can include status updates, pictures, links and videos) by friends, pages, subscriptions and stories posted by apps (such as YouTube or Networked Blogs).
This results in an important question of relevancy. Is the visitor likely to stay engaged with your page after accessing whatever you have gated? If not then what is the point of hiding your content?
There are risks to required liking. Like fatigue is real, and the constant demand to like may result in tired viewers who simply ignore the request to like and click away. Some viewers do not appreciate the mystery behind the gate and are offended by the forced like.
Facebook is relying on data about how users interact with content on the page to determine who gets visibility in the news feed. As a result an access gate to force the like may not be that imperative. It doesn’t mean that you won’t still encourage visitors to like the page.
The action of liking is easy enough but sometimes viewers need encouragement such as a giveaway, coupon and discounts. Each encourages the like but it is not a requirement.
I’ve used the Facebook fan gate myself offering a discount as the incentive for the viewers like. Organic targeted growth has been my focus with the Facebook page, not the action of a like. I encourage viewer interaction and always have.
Stop by my page, yes you have to click like. Please leave a comment, they’re always appreciated. Facebook Page for Maria Snyder Consulting
