Engagement Bait on Facebook: How to Avoid Getting Flagged
Facebook has been demoting videos that are triggering engagement bait. While Facebook suggested that asking for a specific word in the comments will trigger them to demote those videos, that is not true. The point is that Facebook wants you to have a genuine, authentic conversation with your audience. As long as you are doing that, you’re 75% ahead of the curve.
If you want to avoid being flagged under Facebook's new rules of engagement, you'll have to revisit your social media strategy. The good news is that you only have to avoid a few simple traps.
What is Engagement Bait?
Just in case you’re unclear of what exactly engagement bait is, it is a type of social media post that's designed to get you interacting with the content through likes, followings, and shares. It seems like an innocent conversation but in reality, it can be used as an engagement strategy because when people engage they are more likely to click on other ads posted by companies looking for new customers!
Let me be clear though. There is a difference between creating real engagement and baiting for engagement.
✅Good: What show are you watching right now on Netflix?
❌Bad: Comment below what you’re watching on Netflix.
In the first example, you’re genuinely asking a question. When people see this on the news feed and they want to participate, they will naturally comment and answer the question.
The second example, on the other hand, specifically tells people to comment. The difference is subtle, but it makes a huge difference when it comes to the Facebook algorithm.
Facebook Engagement Bait Examples
Engagement bait is more than asking people to comment. So you need to be aware of all the possible ways that you can be guilty of this Facebook crime.
No Asking to Tag Friends
When you are doing a giveaway and are asking people to comment as a form of entry, you are not allowed to ask people to tag their friends or share to be entered. This has not been allowed for years.
Pro Tip: Here’s what I say to encourage tagging: “If we can get this to 90 live viewers, I will give a free ticket to our upcoming live event.”
Avoid the words “Share” and “Comment”
Another similar form of manipulation of engagement on Facebook that is not allowed is comment baiting, which asks users to comment below with a specific comment — i.e., type “love” if you love animals.
Pro Tip: #Nugget in my world is asking my viewers to leave a comment with what they have learned. If you see #Nugget in my videos, you know what to do! For example, I would say, “When you hear some tip you love, give me the word #nugget with the actual tip.”
Watch this Video in this post to see this tip in action:
If you use this strategy consistently, you will be less likely to be flagged for engagement bait.
Vote Baiting
Finally, vote baiting is another engagement trick on Facebook that is receiving higher scrutiny these days, and if you're caught vote baiting you may have your content demoted or worse. Vote baiting happens when a post assigns an emoji to an option.
Here’s an example from CincShare:
If you're ever unsure, use a thesaurus to help you have genuine conversations. This also allows you to stand out in the news feed because you are forced to be more creative and come up with your own language. Making your phrasing more conversational will help your authenticity as well. Being a real human being is difficult, but it is essential.
How to Utilize Facebook Comment Bots Differently to Avoid Engagement Bait
If you’re using Messenger bots like ManyChat and use trigger words, it could get tricky. What we do is not use a singular trigger word to trigger the Messenger bot. We will ask for open-ended questions instead, like this one:
“Leave us a big, scary goal, and we will send you access to an upcoming free training on how to stay accountable and achieve your goals.”
Now, although in your live video you don’t want to use, “share,” “comment,” and “tag,” you can absolutely ask them to do so somewhere else! In the message we sent out before we go live, we ask people to share stuff off of Facebook. Here is what I sent in the message for this video:
“Have you heard about the latest freakout? Facebook sent an email to several users saying they are demoting content that uses engagement bait even if it’s something you are saying in the video. Molly shifted her delivery system about this a year ago to avoid this, so she is going live to share the solution.”
While changes have been made, you do not have to lose engagement and stop growing your community. Be creative. Make things more fun for your viewers!
Want to know more about how you can automate your follow up with Messenger Chat Bots?
Read our article on how you can increase engagement on Facebook LiveVideos using Messenger Chat Bots.
I didn’t get it…twice.
#replay #real
#REAL
I still never got the bot to respond when I commented with the word Real 🙁
train
Molly Mahoney I’m not sure the Mollybot is working for me after I’ve commented with Real and Train
#Real , I’m wanting the full write up
Kristen A. Augustyn
Real!
Real 🙂
I usually say “Secret word is ______ when you have passed me around your world.” The word changes everyday.
#replay real
Real.
Trial
NYC
REAL
Temeka Grady
#nugget – REAL is always BEST
Claire Bissett Jason Frost Jessica Miller Suzanne James Louise Sweeney
This cracks me up
#takeaways #nuggets
#nugget #open ended questions #real conversation #be a genuine person/ friend #avoid asking people to tag friends or share #say “ if we can get this to 90 viewers I Can unlock a free gift “
Happy Coffee
love to have the #real
Who is your sister on IG?
This was real-ly informative. Great to have this real genuine advice.
Real good stuff Mollie
Austin
Real!!!!!
Real – Really!
First time here ?
Nugget: Use open ended questions that start a conversation.
I vote for Austin Too!
Thank you!
Hollering real 4 the write up
Real! where do I find this ?
#nugget First time watching you. Great tips.
#nugget story’s and open ended questions.
I offer in my business making people feel like a 10 every single time they walk out the door using capsule wardrobes on a dime. 😉
#nugget show the love and give me a fireworks show.
Handsome dad
#nugget single word giveaways
Real lol
Wow #amazingview
#freeticket
#freeticket heck yeah
#schuledpost
#scanning your words
Crafted items
Weight loss story
Midwest……
#nugget be careful what you say in your videos.
Can you use the phrase “Tell me”?
#nugget be real sparkle bonus for a certain number of friends
Real, replay? love your energy
Real, replay love your energy
REAL Please
#nugget I know
#nugget- hot tips
Weird. I’m not seeing the count…
I help inventors convert their idea into a product that sells
But the bots don’t engage unless you have a trigger word, right?
Real #replay
Yes, I would love to have a guidebook on the bots.
# replay
#nugget A clue to share my take away!!!
#Nugget 90 Viewers do whatever you want to get the share or comment or tag.
#Nugget 90 viewers write SPARKLE!!
Hi Molly Mahoney – The Prepared Performer’s Dad.
Love the view of your hotel where are you?
Tell me in the comments below
It means tell me in the comments below.
#nugget- Facebook wants real conversations and engagement.
#Nugget be a real human being and have real authentic conversations. When did this become a new concept?
We are at 178 viewers
Sparkle
#nugget, be a real person and have a real conversation. When did that become somethng we have to ask people to do?
You were frozen but are back
WHen you comment Real then it sends us to the video for this training.
We offer content writing, marketing and video production and editing.
I’m typing real
Nugget- having real conversations
It worked for me
Health and well being
#NUGGET HAVE REAL CONVERSATIONS
#nuggetask open ended questions to create a real conversation
I haven’t received any messages. 🙁
Replay. Real
How can I trigger a sequence with a flow?
Real! Omg I’m a top fan
The power of the “share” button!
Linda Agalsoff
A guide is a great help
So awesome to get the guide, thank you
Empowering my people is my jam
FFT , love this
Molly bot hasn’t shown up for me
East coast
Good to know about emoji
I would totally go to NYC
Beautiful dog
Yes!! #nugget tip that was a Wow Moment for Me!!
Thrifty Bella Boutique
Real
Jessica Chavis good info
Worked for me
Good Info
Hello To Your Dad
Love your glasses
Real. Surprisingly enough you popped up as a sponsored video. While I dont go live myself right now I have friends with small businesses that could benefit from this as they are just now tinkering with it.
Lexie Tim
I have no clue about what you are saying.
Real
They already do this !
What a pain. They are defining what a real convo. So confused.pretty soon we’ll only be able to say only exactly what they want. How is that a real convo?
Thank you for sharing that Popeye
Lisa Layne thought this might help ya some!!
#Real, be you, be real #Nugget of wisdom love your followers #Sparkle
What word’s is it you’re trying to get around
You’re not keeping it real, if you have to speak in riddles
Toooo Long Winded, without getting to the Point,,,
Guess what the gremlins are not letying you send me the message in your bot
Look at my message
Sell beautiful lead & nickel free $5 jewelry
Says webpage not available
Real …. it’s REAL!
Really really real is what real is.
#soawesome
#nugget I am not a robot!
Nmmm
Real or is it Reel like in a movie!!!
Lashes
I’m liking #REAL
Real #nuggets
Sandra Hunt Hudson this is REAL
#nuggets for real……I received the message.
Congratulations Sheri
Real #nuggets……will be watching this again
#nuggets. Thank you Molly
Your most welcome!!
You don’t understand what’s really going on you self absorbed twit
Mollybot respondef
Real awesome. Need this.
Its working
#nugget learned a real lot!
Teal
#gold
#real nugget sprinkled
I am keeping a data on all the posts they would not post and passing that on to my senator Steve Daines and congressman May Rosendale.
No triggering the flakes!
A cheesy trick to get people into it. Obviously words could be substituted by telling people once.
Real! Thank you!!!
How can you talk for 24 minutes without taking a breath?
Practice. Lots of Practice. LOL
This repetitive not attractive but funny person is getting hidden today. I’ve seen this 50 times . her lisp is irritating.
This is awesome. 🙂
Awww thanks! We just sent you a message with info on how you can get our slides from today at #tc2020
#thisisawesome
#nugget give me real
I got the message
Unlock our on inner awesome
I will just share it
Having fun….
#nugget can ask people to share in other places
For example “if you’re in trouble, wear a yellow shirt tomorrow”
#replay….. Real
Cool
Oldie , But Still Goodie
What is the world do you post stuff on FB for, if it ISN’T for ENGAGEMENT???
REAL! Thanks!
What?
Excellent, imperative information. Thank you for keeping us informed!
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Sara Campbell this is relevant to our video “descriptions” too, right? That was my question Friday 🙂
Keith Volpe YEP!
Dick them
Angeline Abdon Hernandez watch this 🙂