I don’t know if everyone’s noticed, but this week, instead of becoming a fan of something on Facebook, you now simply say that you “like” it to become part of the page community. It seems like a little bit of a puzzling, “tomato, tomahto” change, but I have to say that…I LIKE it!
Why? Because psychologically, the word “fan” implies a little too much adoration for my taste; a little too much zealotry, perhaps. It makes me feel like a screaming 10-year-old at a Justin Bieber concert. But simply liking something is much cooler. It implies all the approval without the emotional commitment.
The “like” option is a way to put in your two cents with a touch of the button. It’s instant validation and positive reinforcement for the “likee,” and it provides the feeling of being heard for the “liker.” When you click that little thumbs-up icon, you’re like a professional critic giving your approval…you’re like Chuck Norris…you’re like The Fonz! And the absence of a “dislike” button is a gentle reminder that if you don’t have something nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all.
And while I could be imagining it, I feel like our clients’ brand pages have experienced a little jump in numbers since people are “liking” them rather than “becoming fans.” I’m curious to know…are people liking more than they were fanning?
What do you think? Do you like it?