Written by ContentPowered.com
If you have decided to create a new Facebook page for your brand or business, you are probably concerned about what will happen to the likes on your own page. After all, you worked hard to get those likes and it would be terrible if they just disappeared. Fortunately, you can create a new page and keep your old likes as long as you go through the process correctly.
Merging Your Pages
Facebook allows users to merge pages. If you merge two pages together, you will get to keep your likes and check-ins. They will automatically migrate to the new page.
Once the merge is complete, Facebook will delete the old page from its system. You will no longer be able to access that page. Because of that, it is important that you are certain that you want to merge the pages before you go through the process.
You cannot be certain until you know what data doesn’t merge.
What Doesn’t Merge
While you can save the likes and check-ins when you merge two pages, you will not have access to any of the old content that you posted on the page. That means your status updates and pictures will be gone. The username will also be a thing of the past as soon as you complete the merge. If you have anything that you want to save on the page, be sure to do so before you begin the merge. Download your pictures or copy your status updates before completing the merge. Then, you can upload or post them to your new Facebook page.
There are also some rules for merging pages that you need to familiarize yourself with before moving forward. You must make sure you can comply with the rules before you decide to combine your pages.
Rules for Merging
Facebook has three rules for merging pages. If you are unable to comply with the rules, you will not be able to merge your pages.
First, two pages must be similar in order to be merged. For example, if you have two pages that represent the same auto dealership, you can merge them. On the other hand, if you have one page that represents an auto dealership and another page that represents a barbershop, you cannot merge them.
This rule protects Facebook users and businesses. After all, someone who likes a car dealership will be unhappy to learn that his like got transferred over to a barbershop. You want to keep people happy, so this is very important.
Second, the two pages must have similar names. They don’t have to be exactly the same, but they do have to be similar. For instance, Mike’s Dealership could be changed to Mike’s Dealership and Car Wash. However, a page for Mike’s Dealership could not merge with a page for Dottie’s Detailing. Those two names do not have anything in common, so it would not make sense to merge them.
Third, you have to be a manager-level admin of the page in order to merge it. If you are not a manager level admin, you will have to get someone who is to complete the merge.
If you can comply with the rules, you will be ready to move on with the merge. This is a very simple process.
How to Merge
When you are ready to merge your pages, you will need to make sure you are using Facebook as yourself instead of the page. If you do not have a personal Facebook account, you need to create one. Make sure it is linked to your Facebook page
Once you are logged in and using Facebook as yourself, go to the page that you want to keep.
Go to the “Edit Page” menu and select “Edit Settings.” Then, you will need to click on “Merge Pages.” Go through the simple process to merge the pages. You will have to fill out a simple form and submit it to Facebook.
The pages will not merge automatically. You will have to wait for Facebook to evaluate your request and then merge the pages for you. There is not a specific amount of time that this takes. It could happen quickly or it could take some time, depending on the number of requests that Facebook has.
Most people will go through these steps and easily merge their pages. Others, though, will run into some problems. Fortunately, users can typically fix those problems easily.
Troubleshooting
Some people try to merge their pages on Facebook, but the option doesn’t appear under “Edit Settings.” If the option doesn’t appear, the two pages cannot be merged. Usually, this is because the two pages do not have similar names.
If you run into this problem, consider creating a new page. This time, take your time with creating a name. Make sure it is very similar to the name you chose for your original page.
If that does not fix the problem, take a look at the other rules. You might be breaking a simple rule. Something as simple as using Facebook as your page instead of as yourself will prevent you from merging your pages.
Some people have stated that nothing happens when they attempt to merge pages. They click the button and the page does not send any information about the merge to Facebook. If that happens, users can fill out a manual merge request at https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/?id=238908726149664. Once filled out, Facebook staff members will review the request. Then, the process will be the same as it would have been if you filled it out from your page.
Now let’s look at some additional considerations you should keep in mind when merging your pages.
Additional Considerations
It is a good idea to merge pages immediately when you create them. That way, you can have all of your fans on the same page. That will save you a great deal of time. It will also allow you to concentrate your efforts on getting more likes for the single Facebook page.
Also, create a status update on your old page before you shut it down. That way, people will not be confused when your page shows up with a new name. It will also generate some excitement, since people will want to know what your new page has to offer.
Finally, try to create a page that your brand or business can use forever. This will be easier than merging pages on a regular basis. If you are constantly merging pages, you can lose some trust with your fans. A single merge will not hurt you, but merging on a yearly basis will make your fans wonder if you know what you are doing.
Keep this information in mind so you can merge your pages without any problems. Once your pages are merged, it will be easy for you to communicate with your new fans and your old fans. Because of that, you will have the opportunity to take your business to the next level. You can use your fans to boost traffic to your website, make sales, and spread the word about your business. That will give your business longevity, which is something that all companies crave.
This was very helpful and just what I needed! Merge initiated…fingers crossed!
James Parsons
says:Happy to help, and good luck!
Paul R Cook
says:Thanks for this information, its very much appreciated
tracey clarke
says:I manage 7 stores pages for 7 shops (all same type of shop) am I better with an individual page for each shop or merging all the shop pages together? if people search toy shops in York for example will my merged pages come up? At the minute each store is toyshop York or toyshop Manchester, is it better to keep them like this or one for all?
James Parsons
says:Hi Tracey! It certainly depends on a number of factors; are all 7 stores privately owned, or franchised? Do you anticipate new stores in the future? It’s definitely more work to manage all 7 pages, but for small businesses with only a handful of locations, there can be some benefits. I think if it isn’t causing you any problems for now, I would keep your current setup. Having the correct phone number and address for each page location is very useful to your visitors.
RATA
says:How long does it take to get merged?
James Parsons
says:Hi Rata! It should happen pretty quickly, Facebook usually handles things like this in 48 hours or less.
Chris
says:If I merge two pages will the invites still be active if people have not accepted them yet?
James Parsons
says:Hey Chris, I’d send the invites again just to be safe. If the URL changes or the page name changes, that old invite will most likely no longer work.
Daryl
says:hi, when you merge your business fb accounts, will one of the admin from the old fb account still get an access to the new acct?? also, do you have to be the head admin to merge an account or you can just be one of the managers with access??> thanks
Lisa
says:Hello. I’ve attempted to merge my pages twice now and keep having to wait a week in-between to be able to attempt it again. I’ve appealed with no luck. I have tried to keep them as similar as possible (descriptions, photos, etc.), though it won’t allow me to change the names to get them similar. Is there a way I can talk to someone at Facebook to help me through this process? Unfortunately, I’m wasting a lot of time. Would love your advice. Thanks.
Adwitio
says:Same question
Simon
says:I have a Facebook page for our salon and have created a new one as we have re-branded, so new name etc Same services same people but new address. Will a merge work for me?
Lois Lazarte
says:Hi! This is very helpful! I have a question though, What if I rebranded my product and it’s in a different name? But it’s still the same product. Thanks for the help!
Zahia
says:Hi, I tried merging two pages but it didn’t work and didn’t get a notification. I wanted to merge an older page into a new page. The new page has less likes than the old page, but I want to make the new page the primary page (the one with the less likes) Is this why it’s not working? Thanks so much for any kind of help.
Musaib Jeelani
says:Simply you should change the old page name. Merging option is not good decision.