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How to Highlight Something on Facebook: A Veteran’s Guide

So, you want to make something stand out on your Facebook profile or Page? You’ve come to the right place. Highlighting on Facebook is a simple yet powerful feature that allows you to pinpoint important posts and give them the attention they deserve. It’s a way of saying, “Hey, pay attention to this!”

The core answer is straightforward: To highlight something on Facebook, you need to use the “Feature” option, which will make your posts wide.

Go to the post on your Page or Profile that you want to highlight.
Click the three dots in the top right corner of the post.
Select “Feature on top of page” (This option can vary slighlty depending on whether you are using a profile or a page and depending on Facebook’s current UI version) .
The post will now appear in a wider format at the top of your profile or Page, drawing immediate attention to it.

Now, let’s dive deeper. This feature is more than just a button click; it’s a strategic tool that, when wielded correctly, can significantly impact how your audience perceives you or your brand.

Why Highlight? The Art of Selective Attention

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why you’d even want to highlight something. It’s not just about making a post look pretty (though it does that too). It’s about:

Drawing Attention: In the constant stream of information, highlighting cuts through the noise.
Showcasing Key Moments: Announcements, milestones, achievements – highlight them!
Brand Storytelling: Highlighting can curate a specific narrative about your brand or yourself.
Boosting Engagement: Prominent placement often leads to more likes, comments, and shares.

The Nitty-Gritty: Highlighting on Different Platforms

Highlighting on a Facebook Page (for Businesses & Organizations)

For business Pages, highlighting is crucial for showcasing important information to your audience. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Find the Post: Scroll through your Page timeline until you find the post you want to highlight. This could be anything from a new product announcement to a customer testimonial.
Access the Options: Locate the three horizontal dots (the ellipsis) in the upper-right corner of the post. Click on them.
Select “Feature on top of page”: From the dropdown menu, select the option that says “Feature on top of page.” This action will immediately highlight the post. Keep in mind that this option might be worded slightly differently depending on Facebook’s version.
Confirm the Highlight: Facebook will usually display a notification confirming that the post has been highlighted. It will now appear wider than other posts at the top of your Page timeline.

Highlighting on a Personal Facebook Profile

Highlighting on a personal profile serves a slightly different purpose. It’s more about showcasing personal milestones and important moments.

Navigate to Your Profile: Go to your personal Facebook profile.
Locate the Post: Find the post you wish to highlight. This could be a graduation announcement, a wedding photo, or any significant personal update.
Access the Post Options: Click the three dots located in the upper-right corner of the post.
Select “Feature on top of page”: From the dropdown menu, select the option that says “Feature on top of page.” Just like with Pages, the wording might vary slightly.
Verify the Highlight: Check your profile timeline. The highlighted post should now be prominently displayed.

Mastering the Art: Advanced Tips and Tricks

Strategic Placement: Don’t just highlight everything. Be selective. Choose posts that truly represent your message or brand.
Fresh Content: Regularly update your highlighted posts to keep your profile fresh and engaging. Don’t let the same post sit at the top for months.
Visual Appeal: Make sure your highlighted posts have high-quality images or videos. Visuals are key to grabbing attention.
Call to Action: Include a clear call to action in your highlighted posts. What do you want people to do after seeing the post?
Timing is Everything: Consider the timing of your highlights. Are you launching a product? Highlight the announcement just before the launch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Highlighting: Highlighting too many posts defeats the purpose. It dilutes the impact of each individual highlight.
Ignoring Feedback: Pay attention to how your audience reacts to your highlighted posts. Are they engaging with them? If not, consider changing your strategy.
Outdated Information: Ensure that the information in your highlighted posts is always up-to-date. Nothing looks worse than promoting a sale that ended months ago.
Poor Quality Content: Don’t highlight low-quality or irrelevant content. It will reflect poorly on your brand or personal image.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Q1: How long does a post stay highlighted?

A: A post will remain highlighted until you unhighlight it manually. There’s no automatic expiration date. This gives you complete control over what’s featured on your profile or Page.

Q2: Can I highlight multiple posts at once?

A: No, Facebook only allows you to highlight one post at a time. This is why it’s crucial to be strategic about which post you choose to highlight.

Q3: Can I unhighlight a post?

A: Absolutely! To unhighlight a post, go to the highlighted post, click the three dots in the top-right corner, and select “Unfeature.” The post will return to its original position in your timeline.

Q4: Will highlighting a post boost its reach?

A: While highlighting itself doesn’t guarantee a reach boost, its prominent placement often leads to increased visibility, which can translate to higher reach and engagement.

Q5: Does highlighting cost anything?

A: No, highlighting is a free feature offered by Facebook for both personal profiles and Pages.

Q6: Can I highlight a post from another Page?

A: No, you can only highlight posts that you’ve posted directly on your own profile or Page.

Q7: How can I tell if a post is highlighted?

A: Highlighted posts typically appear wider and are positioned at the top of your profile or Page timeline. There might also be a small icon indicating that it’s a featured post.

Q8: Does highlighting work on Facebook Groups?

A: No, highlighting is a feature specifically for personal profiles and Pages. It is not available within Facebook Groups.

Q9: Will my friends/followers be notified when I highlight a post?

A: Facebook does not typically send notifications when you highlight a post. However, the increased visibility might lead to more people seeing the post in their feeds organically.

Q10: Can I schedule a post to be highlighted in the future?

A: No, you cannot schedule a post to be highlighted. You need to manually highlight it after it has been published.

Q11: What happens if I delete a highlighted post?

A: If you delete a highlighted post, it will be removed from your timeline entirely, including its highlighted position.

Q12: Is highlighting the same as pinning a post?

A: Yes. In practice, highlighting a post and pinning a post is the same thing.

Conclusion: Highlight Your Way to Success

Mastering the art of highlighting on Facebook is more than just knowing the steps. It’s about understanding its strategic value and using it to curate a compelling narrative for your audience. By following these tips and avoiding common pitfalls, you can leverage highlighting to boost engagement, showcase key moments, and ultimately achieve your goals on Facebook. Now, go forth and highlight your way to success!