Facebook posts: What we like, and dis-‘like’

by Frank Mungeam

A comprehensive study released in October 2013 by the Pew Research Journalism Project examined the role of news on Facebook. In the process, researchers also learned quite a bit about the motives and attitudes of Facebook users.

For example, the primary reason people say they visit Facebook is to see what family and friends are up to (68% of respondents), or to see photos by friends and family (62%).

Nearly two in five users logged on to engage in conversation with friends and family (38%). Fewer than a third shared their own own photos or videos (28%), and only 17% cited posting personal updates as a main reason to log on, just ahead of ‘playing games’ (14%).

Equally interesting were the findings about the kinds of posts by others that Facebook users dislike most.

The most annoying posts by others were “over-share” posts. More than half of Facebook users said it bothered them when people shared information that was ‘very personal’ (52%). A close second was a dislike for posts that either brag or complain about their lives (47%). Post frequency also matters. Fully 37% said they were bothered by friends or family who posted many times a day.

Users were divided when it came to sharing the news of the day versus expressing personal political viewpoints. More than one in three respondents disliked it when people posted political statements on Facebook (35%), but only 10% of Facebook users said it bothered them when friends or family posted news stories.

One exception to these dis-likes: Hardly anyone minds when people post pictures of their children or pets. Just 7% said they were bothered by these kinds of posts.

Read the Study at Pew Research Journalism Project