Have you found yourself managing multiple Facebook pages for the same business or brand? Perhaps you accidentally created a duplicate page, or maybe you’ve rebranded and now have two pages serving the same purpose. In these cases, merging Facebook pages is an excellent option to consolidate your audience, boost engagement, and avoid confusion among followers.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the process of merging Facebook pages, detailing the requirements, the steps involved, and some important tips to help you along the way.
What Does Merging Facebook Pages Mean?
Merging Facebook pages is the process of combining two similar pages into one. When you merge, all the likes, followers, and check-ins from the original page are transferred to the destination page. However, it’s important to note that the original page will be permanently deleted, and any content on that page, such as posts, photos, and reviews, will be lost.
Requirements for Merging Facebook Pages
Before you jump in and merge your pages, there are several requirements you must meet to be eligible for the merge.
Same Name and Category
To merge two pages, they must have similar names and belong to the same category. If the page names are slightly different, you can update one page’s name to match the other. If the categories differ, ensure both are set to the same industry or business type.
Admin Access
You need to be the administrator of both pages to merge them. Without admin access, Facebook will not allow you to combine the pages.
Physical Location
If the pages represent a business with a physical location, both pages must have the same address for a successful merge.
No Verifications Disparity
It’s not possible to merge a verified page (with a blue check) with an unverified page. Both pages must either be verified or unverified before the merge.
Same Type of Pages
You cannot merge a classic Facebook page with one that is part of the new Pages experience. Both pages must be of the same type.
Steps to Merge Two Facebook Pages
Now that you’ve checked the requirements, let’s dive into the steps you need to take to merge two Facebook pages.
Step 1: Download Content from the Original Page
Before merging, consider downloading a copy of the content from the original page. Once the merge is completed, the original page will be permanently deleted, and its content will be lost.
- Go to the original page’s Settings.
- Scroll down and select Download Page.
- Follow the prompts to download a backup of all posts, images, and data.
Step 2: Merge the Pages
Once you’ve backed up the content, you’re ready to start merging.
- Log in to Facebook using an admin account.
- Navigate to the Page Settings of the page you want to keep.
- Under General, scroll down to Merge Pages and click on Edit.
- Enter your Facebook password when prompted.
- Choose the two pages you want to merge: the destination page (the one that will remain) and the original page (the one that will be deleted).
- Confirm the merge by clicking Continue and then Send Request.
What Happens After You Merge Facebook Pages?
Merging two Facebook pages can take some time. After you’ve submitted your request, Facebook will review it to ensure both pages meet the requirements. Once the merge is approved, the following changes will take place:
- The original page will be permanently deleted.
- All likes and followers from the original page will be transferred to the destination page.
- Content from the original page will be lost, so make sure you’ve downloaded everything beforehand.
How to Merge Facebook Pages Using Business Manager
For businesses using Facebook Business Manager, merging pages follows a similar process. However, Business Manager gives you access to more advanced tools for managing your pages.
Steps to Merge Pages in Business Manager
- Go to Business Settings in your Business Manager account.
- Under Accounts, click Pages.
- Select the two pages you want to merge, then follow the steps as outlined above for merging via Facebook directly.
Important Tips for Business Manager Users
- Make sure both pages are added to your Business Manager account.
- Ensure you’re using the same Business Manager account for both pages.
Merging Pages from the New Facebook Pages Experience
If both pages are using Facebook’s new Pages experience, you can still merge them, but the process differs slightly.
Steps to Merge New Experience Pages
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Select See All Profiles, then choose one of the pages you want to merge.
- Navigate to Settings & Privacy and click Settings.
- In the New Pages Experience section, click Merge Pages and follow the prompts.
Can You Merge Pages on Mobile?
Unfortunately, merging pages is not available directly through the Facebook app. You’ll need to use a web browser on a computer to complete the merge. However, you can still manage other page settings, such as deleting a page or changing its name, via the mobile app.
How to Merge Facebook Pages with Instagram
Merging your Facebook page with your Instagram account is an excellent way to unify your brand’s online presence across platforms. It can also help improve engagement and visibility.
Steps to Link Facebook to Instagram
- Log in to Facebook and navigate to your Page Settings.
- Click Instagram from the left sidebar and select Connect Account.
- Enter your Instagram credentials and complete the connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I merge more than two Facebook pages?
Yes, you can merge more than two pages, but the process must be completed in stages. First, merge two pages, and once that’s approved, you can merge another page with the newly merged one.
Q2: Will I lose my followers after merging pages?
No, all followers and likes from the original page will be transferred to the destination page. However, any content such as posts or photos on the original page will be lost.
Q3: Can I undo a page merge?
No, once you’ve merged two pages, the process cannot be undone. The original page will be permanently deleted.
Q4: Can I merge two pages with different names?
To merge pages, they must have the same or very similar names. If the names differ, change the name of one page to match the other before attempting to merge.
Q5: Can I merge pages with different physical locations?
No, if your pages have physical addresses, they must be identical for the merge to proceed.
Q6: What happens to reviews and ratings after merging pages?
Reviews and ratings from the original page will not be transferred. Only likes and followers are preserved in the merge.
Q7: Is it possible to merge a Facebook profile and page?
No, Facebook no longer allows merging profiles with pages. You can convert a profile to a page, but the two cannot be combined.
Q8: Can I merge a verified page with an unverified one?
No, both pages must either be verified or unverified to merge. You cannot combine a verified page with an unverified one.
Conclusion
Merging Facebook pages is an effective way to consolidate your brand’s online presence, retain your audience, and streamline your social media management. Whether you’re managing pages with the classic or new Pages experience, the steps to merge are relatively simple as long as you meet Facebook’s criteria. Make sure to back up any important content before you proceed, as the original page and its posts will be lost. Once the merge is complete, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a larger, more unified audience without the hassle of managing multiple pages.
