Facebook question from non-user...

[magical thyme]

Did Facebook recently (within last couple of weeks) change its privacy defaults?

I used to be able to view "public" facebook pages, such as the local animal shelter. I couldn't go "deep" inside them, but could see their home pages, news, missing critters, found critters, etc.

Suddenly, within the last 2 weeks, it switches to a "log in" page and won't let me see the once "public" pages. I checked a number of different shelters I commonly peruse and the same thing happened across all of them.

But I was just able to view a video on a public Facebook page for a news organization.

So I'm wondering if they changed the default and some overly busy organizations aren't aware of it, so their once public pages are no longer available to non-facebookers? It seems unlikely that a number of shelters suddenly, simultaneously turned off public viewing for missing and found critters, upcoming events, adoptions specials, etc...

[librechik]

1. yes they did--and it sounded like trouble to me.

but i try not to pay too close attention. I'm always preparing to run for the hills there because as we all know, FB is evil.

[magical thyme]

2. thank you. I'll let the various shelters know that their pages are no longer

open to viewing by infidels like me. They may be wondering why a sudden drop-off just in time for their Christmas fund-raising events!

[djean111]

3. I have a facebook account, don't use it, and if someone, anyone, gives me a link to a facebook page

that requires me to sign in - I just close the window. Don't need to see it.

[Cal Carpenter]

4. I run an organization page on FB

(which is pretty much the only reason I am on it) and from the end of the organization admin, there don't seem to be any recent changes, or any settings that allow me to change whether or not people can see the page if they aren't logged in.

Maybe librechick (post 1) can elaborate on what she's talking about, because I just perused through our page settings and there is nothing that could or would cause the problem you are seeing.

I can restrict visibility of our page based on the user's age or country, as always, but not anything else.

And the number of page views we are getting is normal to high right now so I see no evidence of such changes from that end.

[magical thyme]

5. odd. I just tried 3 of them again...they start to download and then gray out

and the log in message comes up.

And yet I was just in all 3 of them multiple times in September and October while looking at their volunteer info and employment info (along with the kitty and doggy pics).

[Cal Carpenter]

7. It's quite possible that Facebook made changes about visibility

I'm just saying that as an organization there don't seem to be any options for making our individual pages more visible to non-users - there is no 'privacy setting' or something that we can just change.

It is probably just Facebook's way of trying to force people to sign up. I would much prefer every part of our page to be publicly visible to everyone who finds it, but unfortunately being the page admin for one organization grants me exactly zero power in the face of the facebook monster.

I honestly look forward to the day when facebook crumbles so I don't even have to bother with this crap anyway. But for now, it is free advertising and it is expected that we participate...

[librechik]

8. this is what I was referring to, but dunno if it would do what OP says

http://wersm.com/facebook-tweaks-newsfeed-more-friends-less-pages/

[Cal Carpenter]

9. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with seeing a page

when not logged in.

That has to do with what FB chooses to put on your newsfeed as a user, not visibility of pages when you aren't logged in.

I remember when that happened - it was about a year and half ago. It basically just means that if I want my posts for the organization to actually get views on people's newsfeeds, I have to include a picture or a link. Which is pretty much standard now. For awhile our post views were very low but they've crept back up since.

I hear rumors that if we actually use paid ads, we'll show up more in newsfeeds and have less glitches, but I'm not taking that bait.

FB is always tweaking things that users have no control over, and there are constantly glitchy issues. Like lately it won't let me see our events tab which makes it impossible to add new events (or see events on other pages). I finally found a work-around for that but it is just this inconsistent glitch and drives me crazy.

So I'm guessing what the OP is experiencing is either just a temporary glitch, or a deliberate attempt by facebook to try to make people sign up. But I highly doubt there is anything the page admin can do to make it visible.

[magical thyme]

6. hmmmm....just found this on google

https://help.instagram.com/help/community/question/?id=10153213382877872but from last August...

My business page suddenly requires me to log in to see the page..

Page Settings
Business Pages
As of today my biz page needs me to sign in, it's public, published, worked fine yesterday. Age is set to 13, country is set to all, all as it was yesterday.What happened, fix it, let me know fast.

Asked about 3 months ago by Jim Peragine

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Adel Agoudjil 73 answers
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Hello Jim,

Apparently, this problem is affecting some pages on Facebook. If something's not working on Facebook, or you think there's a bug, you can report it to the Facebook team - See more on how to report issues/bugs at:
https://www.facebook.com/help/186570224871049

Also, make sure you don't have country or age restrictions on your Page. - See more at: https://www.facebook.com/help/537592652938493/?ref=u2u

I hope that helps.

Comment · Share · Answered about 3 months ago..









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Sun Blaze 1 answer
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My page is also having the same issue. It didn't always require a login, and there are no age/country/moderation/profanity restrictions either.

3 comments · Share · Answered about 3 months ago..








Try to report this problem to the Facebook Support Team - Please follow the instructions above. Just be patient, it should be fixed as soon as possible. Good luck!
Posted about 3 months ago by Adel Agoudjil..






Yes, that WORKED! Within a day after reporting it went back to normal, albeit fro this or the issues you said other pages have were all fixed. Thanks!
Posted about 3 months ago by Jim Peragine..






Good news Jim!
Posted about 3 months ago by Adel Agoudjil..


Adel Agoudjil 73 answers
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Hello Jim,

Facebook Page is by default set to be viewed in public. You don't need to be logged in to view a page unless its region/age restricted. However there are sometimes some issues happening. Would you please post a screenshot of the error?

1 comment · Share · Answered about 3 months ago..

I get must login popup, then when i hit login it goes to generic white sign in page. So screenshot of what, the popup? It's blue and white. Please find out why, you can surely see my biz page.
Posted about 3 months ago by Jim Peragine..







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