Tips that save time.
I’ve been thinking about how to start this post, but let’s skip the history lesson on Facebook and get straight to the point. You know what Facebook is and why it’s important, so let’s dive into the practical steps for adding a Facebook Like button to your WordPress blog.
But first, an important announcement:
Why Like buttons don’t work in Europe anymore
Facebook has made some changes to how its social plugins work in Europe. This is due to new rules about cookie consent.
Now, Facebook’s ‘Like’ and ‘Comment’ buttons will only work for users in Europe if they meet two conditions:
- They must be logged into their Facebook account.
- They must have given consent to the “App and Website Cookies” control.
If both conditions are met, users will see and be able to interact with these buttons. If not, the buttons won’t appear for them at all.
👉 For users in the US and other regions, the ‘Like’ and ‘Comment’ buttons still work as usual without these extra steps.
If you’re still determined to use a Like button, here’s how:
Use a plugin for simplicity
Adding a Facebook Like button to your WordPress blog is easiest with a plugin, especially if you’re new to this.
The one I like for the solution is called BestWebSoft’s Like & Share. To get it, go to your WordPress dashboard, into Plugins → Add New and then use the search box to find it:
Click and Install and then Activate.
Once the plugin is activated, you can find the config in the Like & Share → Settings section.
Next, you’ll need to add a Facebook ‘App ID’ and ‘App Secret.’ Here’s how to get all that:
How to create a Facebook App ID and App Secret
In the Settings panel of the Like & Share plugin, click the “Create a new one” link under the “App ID” or “App Secret” field.
This link will take you to the Meta for Developers hub. It’s a good idea to open this in a new tab or window, by the way, as you’ll need to switch back to your WordPress dashboard to enter the App ID and secret.
On this Meta site, you’ll need to select an app type, provide your business details, or assign this new integration to your already defined business there.
The way those Like buttons work is that they’re provided by Facebook in the form of what they call apps. Therefore, Facebook will require you to set up a new app and connect it with your website.
I’m not sharing the exact steps that Facebook requires you to go through at the moment because these change quite a lot, so most likely the guide would have been outdated by the time you read it.
That being said, generally, you can expect things to go somewhat like this:
- Choose app type: Select “Business.”
- Enter app information: Provide a display name for your app and ensure the correct email address appears. You can leave the business account options default.
- Re-enter password: A pop-up will appear asking you to re-enter your Facebook password for security.
- Access App ID and Secret: In your app dashboard, go to Settings → Basic to find your ‘App ID’ and ‘App Secret.’
- Enter in plugin settings: Enter the ‘App ID’ and ‘App Secret’ in the Like & Share plugin settings on your WordPress dashboard.
Customize the Like button display in the Like & Share plugin
The Like & Share plugin comes with some basic customizations when it comes to the design and functionality of your Like button. Go to Like & Share → Settings.
First, you can pick where you’d like the thing to be displayed and what it should look like.
Then, you can also pick whether you want to connect the button with your profile URL.
Plus, you can also set various simple details about the design – width, theme (light, dark), etc.
That’s pretty much it. At this stage, the Like button will be added automatically where you’ve set it to be added (before or after the content), but you can also include it anywhere on your site by using the shortcode [fb_button].
Manual options for adding a Facebook Like button
While it’s possible to create a Facebook Like button by hand, this method is not practical for most users.
Manually adding a Like button involves generating code from Facebook’s developer tools and then inserting this code into the HTML of each page where you want the button to appear.
This means you’d need to repeat the entire process for each individual page on your site. Not only is this time-consuming, but it also increases the chances of errors and inconsistencies across your site.
For most users, using a plugin is a much more efficient and reliable solution.
Wrapping it up
Adding a Facebook Like button to your WordPress blog can still significantly boost engagement and make it easier for your readers to share your content. Using plugins like BestWebSoft’s simplifies the process, ensuring you can quickly and easily integrate this feature without any technical hassle.
It’s also worth noting that the power of Like buttons isn’t what it used to be. Facebook has been making it more difficult to use these buttons, especially in regions like Europe where stricter privacy regulations apply. Despite these changes, using a Like button can still provide value, but it’s essential to stay updated on the latest Facebook policies and consider other engagement strategies as well. Happy blogging!
Karol K
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Why a like button? Because if you don’t you’re living in the 90s. That’s the simplest answer to give people.
checking stats… how are peep visiting me thru this post? FOUND it! Thanks Karol! BTW, nice tutorial. Facebook is a great medium for my business & blog. So, I think its a must have for any blog or site.
Haha, well said, not having a Like button is so previous century :)