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How to Combine Two Facebook Pages: A Definitive Guide

Combining two Facebook pages can seem daunting, but it’s a necessary task when consolidating your brand or streamlining your online presence. Facebook offers a Page Merge feature, but it comes with specific requirements and limitations. Here’s the short of it:

You can combine two Facebook Pages if you are an admin of both pages, their names are similar, and they represent the same thing. During the merge, the page with fewer likes will be removed, and its likes will be added to the main page. The content (posts, photos, etc.) from the page being removed will not be transferred. If your pages don’t meet these criteria, you might consider other strategies like cross-promotion or manually transferring content (though the latter can be incredibly time-consuming).

Diving Deeper: The Facebook Page Merge Process

Before you even think about clicking that “merge” button, let’s break down the nitty-gritty. Think of merging pages like a delicate surgery for your online brand – you need precision, preparation, and a clear understanding of the anatomy.

1. Are You Eligible? A Crucial Check-Up

Facebook doesn’t just let anyone willy-nilly merge pages. They have specific criteria designed to prevent abuse and maintain the integrity of the platform. You must meet these requirements:

Admin Access is Non-Negotiable: You must be an administrator of both Facebook Pages. This isn’t a “maybe,” it’s a requirement. If you’re not an admin, you won’t even see the merge option. Get those permissions squared away first.
Name Similarity: It’s Got to Make Sense: The Pages must have similar names. This doesn’t mean they need to be identical, but they need to be recognizable as representing the same entity. Think of it like variations on a theme. “John’s Pizza” and “John’s Pizza Place” – probably okay. “John’s Pizza” and “Jane’s Flowers” – absolutely not.
Representing the Same Thing: The Core of the Matter: This is the most important criterion. The two pages must represent the same business, organization, product, or brand. Are you consolidating two local branches of the same business? Perfect. Are you trying to combine a personal profile with a business page? Forget about it.

2. The Merge Request: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Assuming you meet the eligibility requirements, here’s how to initiate the page merge:

Go to Facebook Business Manager: Log into your Facebook Business Manager account. If you don’t have one, create one – it’s essential for managing multiple pages and ad accounts.
Navigate to Business Settings: Click on “Business Settings” in the left-hand menu.
Select Pages: Under “Accounts,” click on “Pages.”
Select One of the Pages: Select the page you plan to keep as the primary page.
Request to Merge Pages: Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on “Merge Pages”. You might need to look for the “Duplicate Pages” option if “Merge Pages” is not available.
Confirm Permissions: Facebook will ask you to confirm that you are an admin of both Pages. Make sure you’re logged in with the account that has admin access to both pages.
Choose the Pages to Merge: Select the two Pages you want to merge from the dropdown menus.
Confirm Your Choice: Double-check that you’ve selected the correct pages. Remember, the page with fewer likes will be removed. This is your last chance to back out!
Submit the Merge Request: Click “Send Request.”

3. What Happens Next: The Aftermath of the Merge

Once you’ve submitted the request, Facebook will review it. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Facebook’s Review: Facebook’s team will review your request to ensure it complies with their policies.
Notification: You’ll receive a notification once Facebook has made a decision.
The Merge: If approved, the page with fewer likes will be deleted, and its likes will be added to the remaining page.
Content Loss: Remember, content from the deleted page is gone forever. Plan accordingly.

4. Strategic Considerations Before You Merge

Before you impulsively hit that “merge” button, consider these strategic implications:

Content Backup: If you have valuable content on the page that will be deleted, consider downloading it. Facebook allows you to download a copy of your Page’s information.
Announce the Merge: Let your followers know what’s happening! Post an announcement on both pages explaining the merge and why it benefits them. This helps avoid confusion and reassure your audience.
Cross-Promotion: Even if the merge is approved, consider cross-promoting your main page on other platforms (website, email list, etc.) to maximize the reach of the consolidated audience.
Third-Party Tools: Make sure any third-party tools connected to your pages are configured correctly after the merge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Combining Facebook Pages

Here are some common questions about combining Facebook Pages, answered with the same no-nonsense expertise:

1. Can I combine two Facebook Pages if their names are different?

Not easily. Facebook requires the names to be similar. If they’re drastically different, your merge request will likely be denied. You could try changing the name of one page to match the other before requesting the merge, but Facebook might still disapprove if the name change seems suspicious.

2. What happens to the posts, photos, and videos from the deleted page?

They’re gone. Vanished. Poof! Facebook does not transfer content during a page merge. Download any essential content beforehand.

3. How long does it take for Facebook to approve a merge request?

There’s no guaranteed timeframe. It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on Facebook’s workload.

4. What if my merge request is rejected?

Facebook will usually provide a reason for the rejection. Common reasons include dissimilar names, lack of admin access, or the Pages not representing the same thing. Address the issue and resubmit.

5. Can I merge a Facebook Page with a Facebook Group?

No. Facebook Pages and Groups serve different purposes and cannot be merged.

6. What happens to reviews on the deleted page?

Unfortunately, reviews on the deleted page are not transferred to the remaining page.

7. What if I accidentally merge the wrong pages?

There’s no “undo” button. Once the merge is complete, it’s permanent. This is why careful planning and double-checking are crucial.

8. Can I merge pages from different Business Manager accounts?

Yes, but you’ll need to ensure you have admin access to both pages within the same Business Manager account. You may need to transfer one of the pages to the correct Business Manager before initiating the merge.

9. What happens to Facebook Ads associated with the deleted page?

Ads running from the deleted page will be paused or stopped. You’ll need to recreate them on the remaining page.

10. Will the followers of the deleted page be notified about the merge?

No, Facebook typically does not notify followers of the deleted page directly. That’s why it’s crucial to announce the merge yourself.

11. Can I merge a verified page with an unverified page?

Yes, you can. However, the verified status is not automatically transferred. You may need to re-verify the remaining page after the merge.

12. I don’t meet the requirements to merge my pages. What are my options?

If you can’t merge, focus on cross-promotion. Post regularly on both pages, directing followers to the main page you want to promote. Run ads targeted at fans of one page, encouraging them to like the other. Consider manually transferring valuable content (though this is time-consuming). If the pages serve very different purposes, consider keeping them separate but clearly linking them to each other.

Combining Facebook Pages requires careful consideration and adherence to Facebook’s guidelines. By understanding the process, preparing your content, and communicating with your audience, you can streamline your online presence and create a stronger brand presence. Good luck, and remember: a little planning goes a long way!