Can You Schedule a Shared Post on Facebook? The Definitive Guide

Yes, absolutely! You can schedule shared posts on Facebook, but the method depends heavily on whether you’re managing a Facebook Page or just your personal profile, and on what you’re sharing (link, image, video, etc.). It’s not always as straightforward as scheduling a native post. Let’s dive into the intricacies of scheduling shared content like the seasoned social media strategist that I am.

The Nitty-Gritty: Scheduling Shared Posts

The key here is understanding the distinction between creating an original post and resharing content from another source. Facebook treats these actions differently.

• Facebook Pages: If you’re running a Facebook Page, you have a treasure trove of scheduling options at your disposal. This is where Facebook Business Suite (formerly known as Creator Studio) and third-party tools truly shine.
• Personal Profiles: The options for scheduling shared posts directly on your personal profile are severely limited. Facebook simply doesn’t offer a native feature for scheduling shares to personal profiles.

Method 1: Scheduling Shares on a Facebook Page Using Facebook Business Suite

Facebook Business Suite is your best friend when it comes to managing and scheduling content for your Facebook Page. This is the preferred method to schedule a shared post natively.

1. Access Business Suite: Go to business.facebook.com. If you’re already logged into Facebook, it should automatically recognize your associated Pages.
2. Create a New Post: Click on the “Create Post” button.
3. Find the Post You Want to Share: Navigate to the original post you want to share. You can do this by simply browsing Facebook, looking through your feed, or finding the specific Page or profile where the post originated.
4. Copy the URL: Once you’ve found the post, copy its URL. Usually, you can do this by clicking on the timestamp of the post (e.g., “1 hour ago”) to open the post in its own dedicated page and then copying the URL from your browser’s address bar.
5. Paste the URL into Your Post: In the Business Suite post composer, paste the URL into the text field. After a moment, Facebook will often generate a preview of the shared post.
6. Customize Your Post (Optional): You can add your own commentary, insights, or a call to action above the shared post preview. This is crucial for adding value to the share and engaging your audience.
7. Schedule, Don’t Publish Immediately: Instead of clicking “Publish Now,” click the dropdown arrow next to the “Publish” button and select “Schedule.” Choose the date and time you want your post to go live.
8. Review and Confirm: Double-check your scheduled post, including the date, time, and your added commentary. Confirm the schedule.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Social Media Management Tools

Tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social, and AgoraPulse are fantastic for social media management, including scheduling shared posts across various platforms, including Facebook Pages.

1. Connect Your Facebook Page: Link your Facebook Page to your chosen social media management tool.
2. Find the Post You Want to Share: As with Business Suite, locate the original post you wish to share.
3. Copy the URL: Grab the URL of the original post.
4. Create a New Post within the Tool: In your social media management tool, create a new post and paste the URL of the post you want to share.
5. Customize (Crucial!): Add your own unique perspective and text above the shared link. Don’t just blindly share; provide context.
6. Schedule Your Post: Select the date and time you want the post to be published.
7. Review and Schedule: Ensure everything looks perfect, then confirm the schedule.

Key Benefits of Using Third-Party Tools:

• Cross-Platform Scheduling: Schedule content for multiple social media platforms from one central dashboard.
• Advanced Analytics: Get detailed insights into your post performance.
• Team Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration among team members in managing social media.

Method 3: Workarounds for Personal Profiles (Caveat Emptor!)

Let’s be blunt: there isn’t a direct, officially supported way to schedule shared posts to your personal Facebook profile. Anything that claims to do so is likely against Facebook’s terms of service, using unreliable automation, or asking for too much access to your account. Be very careful.

However, here are a couple of very limited and potentially risky workarounds:

1. “Save” and Manually Post: Save the post you want to share. Then, set a reminder on your phone to manually share it at the desired time. This isn’t true scheduling, but it’s the safest approach.
2. Browser Extensions (Use with Caution): Some browser extensions claim to schedule Facebook posts on personal profiles. Research these thoroughly and read reviews before installing them. Be aware of potential security risks.

Warning: I strongly advise against using any unofficial tool that requires you to enter your Facebook login credentials. This is a major security risk and could compromise your account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I schedule a shared post on my Facebook personal profile?

Directly scheduling a shared post on your personal profile through Facebook is not natively supported. You’ll need to rely on manual reminders or potentially risky third-party browser extensions, which I generally advise against.

2. What happens if I schedule a shared post and the original post is deleted?

If the original post is deleted before your scheduled share goes live, the shared post will likely appear broken or display an error message. The link will be dead, and the preview will be gone. It’s good practice to check the original post’s availability close to your scheduled time.

3. Is it ethical to schedule shared posts without giving credit to the original creator?

Absolutely not! Always give credit to the original creator when sharing content. This shows respect for their work and helps your audience discover valuable sources. Mentioning the original source adds credibility to your own page as well.

4. What are the best practices for writing a caption when scheduling a shared post?

• Provide Context: Explain why you’re sharing this particular post. What value does it offer your audience?
• Add Your Unique Perspective: Don’t just regurgitate the original post. Share your thoughts, insights, or experiences related to the topic.
• Call to Action: Encourage engagement. Ask your audience a question, invite them to share their own experiences, or suggest actions they can take.
• Tag Relevant Pages/Profiles: If appropriate, tag the original creator or other relevant entities.

5. Can I schedule a shared post in a Facebook group?

The ability to schedule posts, including shared posts, within Facebook Groups depends on the group settings and whether you’re an admin or moderator. Many groups allow scheduling, but some may restrict this feature. Look for the scheduling option when creating a post in the group.

6. What is the difference between sharing a post and embedding a post?

• Sharing creates a new post on your timeline or Page that links back to the original post.
• Embedding takes the code from the original post and displays that full post on your website or blog. You cannot schedule an embedded post.

7. How far in advance can I schedule a shared post?

The scheduling timeframe varies depending on the tool you are using. Facebook Business Suite allows scheduling posts several months in advance. Third-party tools may have different limitations.

8. Can I edit a scheduled shared post before it goes live?

Yes, absolutely! You can edit scheduled posts within Facebook Business Suite or your chosen third-party tool. Make sure to review and edit if necessary, especially if the original post has changed since you first scheduled it.

9. Why isn’t my scheduled shared post showing up on my Facebook Page?

There could be several reasons:

• Technical Glitch: Occasionally, there might be a temporary glitch in the system. Try rescheduling the post.
• Incorrect Time Zone: Double-check that your Facebook Page’s time zone is correctly configured.
• Scheduling Error: Review the scheduled date and time to ensure it’s accurate.
• Post Violated Guidelines: If your post violates Facebook’s community standards, it may be automatically removed.

10. What are the benefits of scheduling shared posts?

• Time Management: Plan your content in advance and free up your time.
• Consistency: Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
• Strategic Timing: Publish posts when your audience is most active.
• Brand Building: Share valuable content from reputable sources to establish your brand as a thought leader.

11. Does scheduling shared posts affect my Facebook Page’s reach?

Not directly. The algorithm focuses on engagement and content quality. Scheduling allows you to be more strategic about when and what you post, which can, in turn, improve your reach by catching your audience at their peak online times.

12. Are there any risks associated with using third-party apps to schedule shared posts?

Yes, there are risks. Choose reputable third-party tools with strong security measures. Be cautious about granting apps excessive permissions to your Facebook account. Review the app’s privacy policy and terms of service before connecting your account. As always, keep your password strong and change it regularly.

In conclusion, scheduling shared posts on Facebook is a strategic way to enhance your content strategy. While options for personal profiles are limited, leveraging Facebook Business Suite or a reliable third-party tool provides the most effective and safe method for Pages. Remember to always provide context, give credit, and prioritize security!