There are several, crucial steps to being business online management. From seemly simple things like uploading your information (including things such as business name and address; to communication channels such as phone numbers or email addresses, and other information), and intricate steps including creating an online brand or effective social media marketing strategies.
Claiming a Facebook page about your business is somewhere between both sides of the balance, as it can provide you with access to a page with most of your official information on it, and it can be the page that you wish to have for your business without having to go through the process of creating it from scratch.
On the other hand, you might be wondering why there is an unofficial page related to your business. Is there anything you can do to claim ownership of this Facebook page? The short answer is yes; you can claim a page with your business’ name. If you want to learn more about it, from why it happens to how to claim an unmanaged page, read more below.
Unclaimed Facebook Business Pages: Why Does It Happen?
To understand Facebook Pages ownership, it is indispensable to learn why it happens.
While it might raise an alarm to see an existing page related to your business that you are not the admin of, you need to know that this is not necessarily harmful. Some of the reasons why you might find an unclaimed Facebook Business page are:
- Facebook autogenerated it after a customer checked in.
- It was generated from a Wikipedia page. In that case, you will find a Wikipedia logo at the bottom of the page.
Once you identify how the unclaimed page was created, you must learn how to claim the company’s page ownership.
How to Claim an Unmanaged Facebook Page
Facebook Business offers a way to gain control of an unclaimed page related to your business. You can do it from Meta Business Suite.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Go to the Meta Business Suite page.
- Confirm you are doing the process from the Business account you want to claim the page for.
- Go to Settings.
- Next, go to Business Assets. There, click on Pages.
- Click on Add Asset. Facebook will offer you the chance to add assets to Facebook pages, Instagram accounts, and Whatsapp accounts.
- Once you click on Facebook Page, Meta Business Suite will give you the option to create a page, claim an existing Facebook page, or request admin access to a page.
- After choosing to claim a business page, you must write the page’s name down. Meta will ask you to agree to their terms of service, and later on, click on Claim Page.
Note that your requests must be approved by Meta Business Suite before you can gain access to the page you are claiming. Also, someone must have total control of the page you want to claim to approve your request.
Merging Duplicate Business Pages
If you happen to have an official page already and find that there is a duplicate page, you can merge both pages. Of course, you must consider some things, such as:
- To merge two pages, they must have the same name.
- Both pages have the same address.
- You can’t merge a verified and unverified page.
To go through the merging process all you have to do is the following
- Go to your page.
- In there, click on your profile picture.
- Go to Settings & Privacy, and then click on Settings.
- You will find the Merge Pages option on the left, within the New Pages Menu.
- Click on Merge Multiple Pages, and then on Start Request.
- Follow the instructions, enter your password, and your request will submit.
Claiming Unmanaged Business Pages for Partner Platforms
As you previously read, you can also claim business pages for partner platforms on Meta Business Suite.
Claiming an Instagram Business Account For Facebook
To claim an Instagram Business account, follow the steps previously shared until step number 5. From there, do the following:
- Choose Claim an Instagram Account. Note that to do this, it is required that you have login access to the Instagram account so that the claim gets authorized.
- Agree to Instagram’s terms of service.
- A pop-up Instagram login page will open.
- Once you have logged in, Meta Business Suite will notify you the account has been added.
Claiming a Facebook Business Page For Instagram
Similar to how Facebook allows you to claim Instagram accounts; this platform also offers you the option to claim a Facebook Business page for your Instagram.
When you open an Instagram business account and choose not to connect to a Facebook Business Page, an unmanaged page is created automatically. The reason why this happens is so that your customers can find your business easily on Facebook. It also allows customers to check into your establishment.
Follow these steps to claim a Business page for Instagram:
- Go to your profile on Instagram.
- Tap the three horizontal bars showcased on the top right. Then, tap on Settings and Privacy.
- Scroll until the For Professionals section. In there, tap Business Controls and Tools.
- You will find the option of connecting to a Facebook page. Log into your Facebook account, and the process will be complete.
Claiming Whatsapp Business for Your Facebook Page
If you have a WhatsApp Business account, you can also claim it on your Facebook Business Page. This option allows your customers to message you directly on WhatsApp. The only requirement is that you have the mobile WhatsApp business app downloaded on your phone. Next, these are the steps you need to take:
- Go to the WhatsApp Business app.
- If you use Android, you will have to tap on More options. iOS users have to tap on Settings.
- Next, go to Business Tools. Tap on Facebook & Instagram.
- Once you select the Facebook option, it will redirect you to Facebook’s login page.
- After logging in, you can choose the page you want to link to your WhatsApp Business account.
Why It Is Important to Claim Your Facebook Business Page
Facebook Business pages are essential for social media marketing. Nowadays, customers rely on search engines globally to get as much information as possible on a business or brand. Likewise, social media has become a way to connect with people; many use their pages for check-ins and to share their locations with their loved ones.
Creating a Facebook page for your business is crucial to improve your online presence. If the page happens to be live already due to the reasons explained above, claiming ownership of it is better than creating a new page.
For example, unclaimed business pages can have customers visiting them. Gaining ownership of the page after it has several customer visits is advantageous; this information will give you the chance of creating marketing strategies based on the feedback the page is getting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if I Release My Facebook Page From Business Account?
If you release a Business page, another organization can claim it. There are three ways you can do this process. You can do it from Facebook Business Manager, from Meta Business Suite, and by requesting for removal of the page from the Business account.
Does Facebook Delete Inactive Business Pages?
Yes, Facebook could disable or delete inactive business pages. They consider several facts, such as long periods of inactivity, and if you have logged into your account or used your account to log in to another service using the business page.
How Do I Recover a Deactivated Facebook Business Page?
Reactivating a business page is an easy process that has a few steps. All you have to do is head over to your Facebook account, go to Pages, and on the top right will view the deactivated pages.
What Do You Do When Your Facebook Business Page Has Been Disabled?
If you believe your Facebook Business page was disabled by mistake, you can ask Facebook to review your case. Facebook does not always warn users of the possibility of having their pages disabled.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Facebook Business Page?
Facebook Business pages are free. You can create and use a page without paying. However, trying certain features such as Facebook Ads, does require payment. Despite that, regardless of what you do, your Facebook Business page management will continue to be free.
Conclusion
If social media marketing campaigns are crucial for the success of businesses nowadays, claiming a Facebook Business page is just as essential.
Nowadays most businesses use Facebook to promote their products or services, and it’s been proven that it can help with the creation of important things for your business, such as a digital footprint.
Facebook Business pages are an excellent way of creating an online brand, as it allows potential customers to find your products or services, read other customers’ reviews, find out if your company has multiple locations, learn about your business hours, and many other features that Facebook Business offers.
