Facebook recommendations: how Page reviews work now
Facebook calls Page reviews Recommendations: people say whether they recommend you and add a comment. A rating shows once a Page has at least 5 public reviews. You can turn recommendations off in your Page settings, which also removes the rating, but you can't delete individual ones. Report those that break Facebook's rules, and reply to the rest.
The short version
- Facebook’s Page reviews are called Recommendations. Its help pages use both words.
- A rating shows only when recommendations are on and the Page has at least 5 reviews.
- You can turn recommendations off, but that removes your rating and reviews from view.
- You can’t delete a recommendation. You can report one that breaks the rules.
- Reply publicly, briefly and calmly, as you would anywhere else.
How do Facebook recommendations work?
On a business Page, people say whether they recommend the business and can add a comment. Facebook’s page on how ratings are calculated says a Page shows a rating only when recommendations are turned on and it has at least 5 reviews. Only public reviews count toward it, and Facebook doesn’t check that the person actually bought from you.
Older guides talk about Facebook “star reviews.” Facebook moved Pages to the recommend-or-not format years ago. We couldn’t find Meta’s original announcement, so we can’t give you an exact date.
How do I turn recommendations on or off?
From Facebook’s settings guide:
- Select your profile photo, then See all profiles, and choose your Page.
- Select the Page’s profile photo, then Settings & privacy, then Settings.
- Select Page and tagging.
- Find Allow others to view and leave reviews on your Page? and switch it on or off.
Facebook says turning it off removes your Page’s rating and reviews from view. That’s a big step. A Page with no reviews can look less trustworthy than one with a few mixed ones, and a pattern of complaints doesn’t go away just because Facebook hides it. Most businesses are better off leaving them on and replying well.
How do I report a recommendation?
From Facebook’s reporting guide:
- On your Page, go to Reviews (under Details).
- Select See all next to Recent reviews.
- Find the review, select Options (the three dots), then Report post.
- Choose the reason that fits and follow the prompts.
Facebook says a rating alone, with no text, can’t be reported. Report only reviews that break Facebook’s rules, such as spam, harassment or someone posing as a customer. A review you disagree with isn’t a reason. See spotting and reporting fake reviews for what to collect first.
How should I reply?
The same approach works on every platform:
- Thank the person by name, and mention something specific.
- For a complaint, acknowledge it, own what’s fair, and offer a direct way to sort it out.
- Keep private details out of a public reply.
- Reply once. Don’t argue in the comments.
Our guide to handling negative reviews on other platforms has worked examples, and the free review reply writer drafts a calm first version.
Can I ask customers to recommend us?
We didn’t find a Meta help page that sets rules for businesses asking for recommendations. In the US, the FTC rule still applies: you can’t offer anything that depends on a positive review. Ask everyone the same way, or send your main requests to Google. See the rules on asking, platform by platform.
Why do Facebook recommendations matter?
Many people check a local business’s Facebook Page for hours, photos and what others say. A recommendation there is often written by someone in their own area. Recommendations also sit next to your posts, so a complaint that’s been answered well tells readers how you treat people.
What are the common mistakes and edge cases?
- Turning recommendations off after one bad review. You lose the good ones too.
- Replying from a personal profile. Switch into the Page first so the reply comes from the business.
- Reporting every negative recommendation. Facebook reviews reports against its rules, not against your opinion.
- Missing recommendations entirely. Check your Page notifications, or the Reviews tab, weekly.
- Old Pages with their own reviews. If you have a duplicate Page, its reviews sit on that Page, separate from your main one. See fixing your Facebook Page details.
What if this didn’t work?
- You can’t find the Reviews section. Check that recommendations are turned on in your Page settings.
- Your report was rejected. Facebook decided it doesn’t break its rules. Reply calmly instead.
- Someone is posting repeated fake recommendations. Report each, keep screenshots with dates, and consider whether the pattern suggests a scam. See reporting fake reviews.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
Recommendations are free. Changing the setting takes a minute. Replying takes a few minutes per review. Facebook doesn’t publish how long reports take.
How does E-3 handle this?
Replying to Facebook recommendations fits within our leads and follow-up service. Reply drafts are written for you, checked by a person and approved by you before they’re posted. Never share your Facebook password; give access through your Page’s settings instead.
Related questions
Sources
- Turn Recommendations on or off for your business Page (Facebook Help Center)
- Report a Recommendation or review about a business Page on Facebook (Facebook Help Center)
- How ratings are calculated for Facebook Pages (Facebook Help Center)
- The Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule: Questions and Answers (FTC Business Guidance)
Next step
- Next: Why are some Yelp reviews "not recommended"?The next guide in Reviews.
- Free website checkPublic checks on your own site, then an action plan of what to fix first.
Still stuck? Ask E-3 for an answer from our help guides.
Rather we handled reviews for you?
It’s part of what we do every week for small businesses, as part of leads and highlevel. Start with a free check of your site and profile, or call and ask.