Stop Buying Likes: 25+ Tips to Drive Real Engagement on Facebook

In 2019, buying Facebook Likes was a common (but questionable) growth tactic. In But these days it is nearly obsolete — and more dangerous than ever.

Facebook’s algorithms have evolved, and so have its detection systems. Pages that rely on low-quality Likes from click farms or bots often suffer reduced visibility, poor reach, and serious credibility issues. In many cases, accounts caught buying Likes risk warnings, shadowbans, or full removal.

More importantly, most services offering to “sell Likes” are now defunct, fraudulent, or in violation of Meta’s terms. This practice no longer offers a growth shortcut — it is a dead-end that damages your brand.

If you want to grow a high-quality Facebook page that reaches more people, builds trust, and drives conversions, then you need to focus on real engagement from a targeted audience who genuinely cares about your business.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• Why buying Likes no longer works (and how it can hurt you)
• How to build a strong Facebook presence with smart social media marketing
• Proven marketing tactics to engage your content, drive traffic, and increase conversions

Whether you’re a small business owner, a content creator, or a fast-scaling eCommerce brand, this post will show you how to grow your Facebook audience the right way.

Even though buying Likes is outdated and risky in 2025, some businesses still fall into the trap — often out of desperation to appear more credible on their Facebook page. Here are two common examples:

A brand new band with only 47 Likes may worry that they won’t be taken seriously by venues, fans, or sponsors.

Buying 1000 Likes for $50 might feel like a quick fix, but fake Likes don’t boost your reach or help you engage with your content. You’ll only inflate your numbers without building a true targeted audience or fan base.

Instead, creators can grow their social media presence by hosting small giveaways, collaborating with other artists, or engaging with communities in Facebook Groups.

If your online business page has fewer than 50 Likes, shoppers may hesitate to trust you — even if your product or service looks great and your prices are competitive.

While it might seem like buying Likes will help build credibility, it can actually hurt your brand in the long term:

• Facebook demotes low-quality engagement from inactive users
• Real potential customers may sense the inauthenticity
• Fake Likes dilute the effectiveness of your social media marketing

A smarter way to grow is by running a Gleam-powered contest, launching a referral program, or driving traffic to optimized landing pages where users can opt in with email — turning interest into long-term engagement.

Even if you're not a band or brand, the logic applies. You could be a content creator, small business owner, or influencer — buying Likes may seem like an easy win, but it's a high-risk shortcut that backfires.

It might feel like a fast way to boost your business page credibility and attract potential customers, but Facebook’s algorithm is too smart — and the long-term effects can hurt your visibility, trust, and ad performance.

The more users genuinely engage with your content, the more likely your Facebook posts are to appear in News Feeds — that’s how Facebook’s algorithm works.

If your audience is full of fake or inactive users, your posts won’t get engagement. That signals low quality to Facebook’s algorithm, which means:

• Less exposure on people’s timelines
• Lower priority in Facebook’s distribution
• Wasted effort on posts that don’t reach real active users

A better tactic? Run giveaways to attract real people, build an email list, and spark meaningful engagement on every post. it is how you reach more people through real content, not fake metrics.

Most pages reach only 10–25% of fans organically. That’s why many rely on boosted posts or Facebook Ads to extend reach.

But when your social media audience is full of fake Likes, you end up:

• Paying to reach bots or click-farm accounts
• Reducing the return on your ad spend
• Missing out on your true targeted audience

Buying Likes might cost $150 up front, but the real cost comes later — when you burn hundreds or thousands on ads that never convert.

Focus on building a high quality Facebook page with real users, strong content, and compelling calls to action. Use tools like Gleam to run contests and collect leads you can actually market to.

Savvy users can often spot pages that suddenly jump from 30 Likes to 5000 overnight. it is a red flag that damages trust — especially if you’re a small business trying to build your brand.

A sudden spike in fake Likes can:

• Raise suspicions about your authenticity
• Trigger negative comments or callouts
• Damage trust before you even get started

For example, Mitt Romney was exposed in 2012 for allegedly purchasing Twitter followers — and that’s still the reputation he carries today.

Building social media trust takes time, but it is always worth it. If you're focused on long-term growth, organic tactics are safer, smarter, and more sustainable.

Page Likes aren’t the goal — engagement is. it is tempting to think more Likes = more revenue, but that’s not how social media works.

Even with 40k Likes, your Facebook business page could still fail to drive sales. Why? Because Likes don’t reflect intent or interest unless they come from a targeted audience.

Instead, use tools like Gleam to incentivize meaningful actions — like visits, shares, email signups, and contest entries. These not only follow Facebook's rules but also deliver outcomes you can measure.

Buying Likes is not a growth strategy. In fact, it damages your social media presence in the long run.

Here’s what really happens:

• Most Likes come from bots or low-quality users
• Many come from countries unrelated to your target market
• Few will ever engage with your content, click, or convert

Would you prefer 500 engaged fans, or 5000 fake Likes that destroy your relevance score?

Buying Likes only inflates your vanity metrics. What you really need is a strategy to reach potential customers who actually care about your product or service.

Ready to grow your presence the right way? Here are 25+ strategies we recommend to build a loyal audience, increase reach, and drive results — all without buying Likes.

Want to grow your Facebook page without spending a dollar? Start by creating content your audience actually wants to see.

That means:

• Focused visuals
• Clear calls to action
• Relevance to your small business or brand community
• Consistency across your social media channels

Organic Facebook growth starts with content. That’s what Facebook’s algorithm rewards. Use each post to start a conversation, build brand loyalty, and expand your social network.

To grow your Facebook page organically, focus on content that entertains, inspires, or educates. Here are four proven content formats to engage with your audience, encourage tagging, and boost visibility in the algorithm.

Facebook, like most social media platforms, thrives on humor. Funny, relatable content not only drives social shares, it positions your business page as engaging and human.

✅ Pro Tip: Make sure your memes and jokes still connect to your product or service or resonate with your targeted audience.

Engagement = growth. Use your posts to start conversations and increase your comment volume, which in turn boosts your post reach through the Facebook algorithm.

Try asking:

• “Which one would you choose?”
• “Tag someone who needs to see this!”
• “What’s your favorite memory involving [product]?”

The goal is to drive interaction while learning more about your customer journey and preferences.

Photos and graphics stop the scroll. Use them to:

• Showcase customers using your products
• Share promotional news or giveaway campaigns
• Highlight new arrivals or landing pages
• Illustrate user reviews or testimonials

The algorithm loves images, and your potential customers will too.

Video is still one of the highest performing formats on social media. The algorithm prioritizes it and it drives long-term engagement.

Types of videos that work well for small business owners:

• Product walkthroughs or unboxings
• How-to tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes looks at your process
• Short, funny skits relevant to your audience

💡 Pair your videos with a CTA like “Follow for more tips” or “Tag someone who needs this.”

Live video content is one of the best ways to connect directly with your audience and boost reach in real time. Facebook prioritizes live broadcasts in the News Feed — making it a powerful visibility tool.

Use Facebook Live to:

• Cover a special event
• Launch a new product or service
• Give a behind-the-scenes look
• Host interviews or Q&A sessions
• Demonstrate how your products work

💡 Live content helps you showcase your social media presence, connect with active users, and deepen customer relationships with real-time interaction.

As you build your organic reach, remember your goal isn’t just engagement — it is conversion. Use your Facebook business page to attract potential customers, promote your offerings, and drive traffic to your product or service.

Here are two proven ways to do that:

Every time you launch something new, whether it's a product, video, or resource, share it on Facebook to build anticipation and spark interaction.

For small businesses and eCommerce stores, this builds product awareness and invites direct engagement.

For creators and brands without physical products, use these posts to promote your latest:

• YouTube videos
• Blog posts
• Free resources or templates
• Podcast episodes

Your social media marketing should always serve your broader business growth goals. Use every opportunity to engage with your content and bring people closer to a purchase or sign-up.

Running flash sales or exclusive discount codes is a fast and effective way to drive urgency, attract potential customers, and reward your followers.

💡 Pro Tip: Offer deals that are only available on your Facebook business page. This will train your audience to follow, check back often, and engage with your content consistently.

Demonstrate your products or services in use — not just what they do, but how they solve problems or bring joy.

This is especially powerful for:

• Skincare and beauty
• Cooking tools and appliances
• Fitness or health brands
• SaaS products or dashboards

Bonus: Share success stories to show long-term outcomes and build trust and retention.

While promotional posts are valuable, content marketing must still entertain to thrive on social media platforms.

Try:

• Product challenges
• Durability or stress tests
• Creative customer demos
• Behind-the-scenes content

User-generated content contests work great here too — use Gleam to launch a Facebook photo or video contest and let your audience show off your brand.

If you’re a content creator, musician, artist, or YouTuber, Facebook is a perfect platform to promote your work, grow your fan base, and connect with a targeted audience.

Ideas to post:

• Studio sessions
• Live performances or gig clips
• Funny or viral video teasers
• Custom snippets that link back to your full content on YouTube or Twitch

Use Facebook to turn fans into followers, and followers into subscribers or customers — nurturing customer relationships across your full social media marketing funnel.

Use your Facebook business page to do more than just push products — it's an essential hub to amplify your entire social media presence and funnel traffic to your best content.

Link out to:

• Blog posts and case studies
• New YouTube videos or livestreams
• Instagram Reels or TikToks
• Email opt-in landing pages

This cross-pollination strengthens your content marketing efforts and ensures you stay top of mind across all major social media platforms.

Once your content strategy is solid, make sure your Facebook page setup is working hard for you too. Optimizing your profile can make a huge difference in attracting new fans and converting visitors into followers.

###16. Make Your Profile Appealing and On-Brand

A clean, consistent, and recognizable profile is key for standing out in crowded News Feeds.

Tips for improving your profile:

• Use a high-resolution logo as your profile image
• Update your cover photo regularly with promotions or events
• Fill out your About section completely
• Use CTA buttons like “Sign Up,” “Shop Now,” or “Send Message”

Your facebook page should clearly explain your product or service, show what makes your brand unique, and make it easy for potential customers to take action.

A well-placed CTA button is one of the simplest ways to convert social media traffic into action — whether that’s a sale, a lead, or a conversation.

Choose a CTA that aligns with your product or service:

• “Shop Now” for eCommerce
• “Sign Up” for lead generation
• “Learn More” for product education
• “Send Message” for sales teams or support

💡 Small changes to your facebook page setup can drive big results — especially for small business owners focused on direct conversions.

Your pinned post is the first thing most visitors will see, so make it count.

Use this space to:

• Highlight a flash sale
• Promote a landing page or special offer
• Showcase a hero product or giveaway
• Introduce your brand with a welcome video

Offering direct messaging through your social media platforms encourages personal interaction and shows you’re accessible.

Set up your Messenger chat box with:

• A custom welcome message
• Auto-replies for common questions
• Quick reply buttons or FAQs
• Lead capture integrations or links to your CRM

This helps create positive customer experiences while supporting your customer relationship strategy.

User reviews build trust — and that trust drives conversions. Make sure your Facebook business page shows off what happy customers are saying.

Ways to collect more reviews:

• Ask loyal customers via email
• Use a post-checkout CTA
• Incentivize reviews with a Gleam reward campaign

The best way to boost your engagement rate is simple: engage back.

Use your brand voice to respond to:

• Questions about your product or service
• Feedback, both positive and negative
• Tag-driven comments (e.g. “this is so you!”)

✅ This strengthens your customer relationships, increases visibility in the feed, and helps build long-term brand loyalty.

Creating events from your facebook business page is a fantastic way to generate buzz and increase exposure.

Try these ideas:

• Promote a flash sale with an online event
• Launch a virtual product drop or livestream
• Announce your presence at a market or expo
• Invite followers to attend a limited offer window

Events signal activity to active users and help convert social media presence into direct action.

Influencer marketing is one of the most effective growth strategies for small businesses. When paired with the right targeted audience, it can supercharge your Facebook engagement.

You can:

• Run joint giveaways
• Create sponsored content
• Host takeovers or interviews
• Co-promote new launches or sales

Running a social media giveaway is one of the fastest ways to boost your reach and grow your email list, followers, and customer base.

Post a giveaway directly to your Facebook timeline to encourage likes, comments, and shares — all essential for boosting social media marketing performance.

Use the Gleam Competitions App to build giveaways that grow your Facebook presence while collecting email lists, cross-promoting landing pages, and driving shares.

Here’s how to maximise your giveaway’s impact:

Use the Visit on Facebook action to reward users who check out your page:

Use the User Details Form to collect emails and prompt users to like your page during entry.

Use the View a Post action to send visitors directly to your best content:

Open a direct line of communication using Messenger Subscribe:

Announce a Secret Code on Facebook and offer bonus entries to those who redeem it:

Use Post-Entry Redirects to send users straight to your Facebook page after entering:

Encourage users to refer friends using Gleam’s Viral Share action. This creates a loop of sharing, reaching more potential customers:

Likes can boost visibility, but true business growth comes from deeper engagement. With Gleam, you can use giveaways to collect emails, grow your followers across platforms, and turn social media interest into measurable results.

Website visitors are highly targeted users. They’ve already shown interest in your product or service, so they’re more likely to engage with your content.

Use Gleam Capture to create popups or floating bars that ask visitors to Like your facebook page. Combine this with a discount code or exclusive offer to incentivize action.

Want to get extra specific? Use our Referring Domain Rule to trigger popups for users who land on your site from Facebook.

Learn how top brands use growth marketing on Facebook to connect with active users and build brand equity.

Real customers fuel GoPro’s social media feed by sharing their adventures.

Running UGC contests like their GoPro Awards builds loyalty and offers high quality content for reuse.

Red Bull’s Facebook strategy revolves around viral video content that reflects their energetic brand.

Their content isn’t about drinks — it is about lifestyle. That’s how they attract millions of followers and stay top-of-mind.

Contiki’s social media is all about aspiration. They use breathtaking visuals and relatable travel humor to connect with potential customers.

This approach drives engagement and increases bookings through a mix of storytelling and smart social media marketing.

Birchbox mixes memes, beauty content, tutorials, and promotions — all aligned with their brand’s tone.

They use content marketing to not only build brand awareness, but also drive action across platforms.

Jane.com runs weekly giveaways to promote new products, reach new audiences, and reward existing fans.

Their consistent giveaway cadence turns personal profiles into evangelists, builds excitement, and supports both short- and long-term growth goals.