Jon Loomer Digital
For Advanced Facebook Marketers
  • Blog
  • Access
    • Building Blocks
    • Membership Info
    • PHC Login
    • Agencies
    • One-on-One
  • FREE
    • The Loop
    • Blog Alerts
    • Video Alerts
    • Cornerstone Tips
    • Podcast Alerts
    • The Full Funnel
    • Beginners
  • Videos
Search
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages

The smartest Meta advertisers **stay in The Loop!**

Find Out More

Facebook Timeline Highlights: A Clarification

March 15, 2012 by Jon Loomer - 12 Comments

Last updated: March 6, 2025

Share via:

  • Share
  • Post
  • Email
NOTE: This post may be outdated.

Any screenshots and details of functionality may no longer be relevant.

View the most recent posts in this category.

A while back, I wrote about missing posts — notably, missing posts by others — as one of the 5 Things I Hate About Facebook Timeline For Pages. I had assumed that this was a bug.

After closer examination, I’ve come to the realization that this is instead by design. That doesn’t make this better. In fact, it just makes it a bigger design problem that Facebook needs to address.

The Problem With Missing Posts

I noticed this when a reader had pointed out that none of the posts by others were appearing in her page’s Timeline. When I took a look at my own, I noticed that some — but not all — posts by others were appearing. So it wasn’t a matter of Timeline displaying only my posts. Instead, I had to go back an entire month or so until I saw a post written by someone other than me.

It was pretty easy to assume this was a bug. By going to Admin Panel > Manage > Use Activity Log and filtering Posts by Others, I see all of the posts made by people other than me. And in each case, there is an open circle icon next to those posts, indicating that the piece of content is “Allowed” on the Timeline.

Allowed on Page

So where is that content? Well, that’s where Facebook Timeline Highlights come into play…

Highlights, But Not THOSE Highlights

Now things get confusing. When I speak of Highlights, I’m not referring to the star icon on a post that allows you to stretch a post across two columns. No, I’m referring to either of the two Highlights filter drop-downs at the top.

Facebook Timeline for Pages Highlights

You have four options: View posts by the page, posts by others, posts by friends or Highlights. There is no in between.

The Problem With Highlights

Highlights in this context are the most important posts by both the page and others, as determined by Facebook. I’m okay with Facebook using their algorithm to determine that. The problem is, though, that Facebook doesn’t allow you to override their decision that something isn’t important.

Sure, you can hide an item from the Timeline that is already there. But if Facebook determines that a post isn’t important — and not a Highlight — you can’t change that.

The Solution

Alright, Facebook, listen up. Here’s how you fix this bad design flaw.

On the Activity Log, you can currently determine whether a post is allowed or not allowed on the Timeline. That’s great. But it doesn’t impact Highlights.

So, let’s add another icon. Allowed and not allowed can apply to the four filters other than Highlight. Then add another icon next to it that will either be filled or empty indicating whether it is Highlighted (or change the name so we aren’t so easily confused).

Proposed Facebook Timeline For Pages Highlight Icon

Easy? Easy. Now fix it!

Share via:

  • Share
  • Post
  • Email
filed under: Marketing

Tags: Organic Facebook and Instagram

PHC

Power Hitters Club
Jon Loomer

BOOST your Meta Advertising Skills

The PHC provides members with access to a private community of advertisers who have done what you’re trying to do, have worked in your industry, and who can pull from valuable experience.

Click here

One-on-One

One-on-One Training

Schedule one-on-one time with Jon to discuss your Facebook advertising struggles, obstacles, and strategies.

Click Here

Podcast Widget

The Pubcast with Jon Loomer

Meta advertising discussions in 5-10 minute “Shots.” A new episode is published every Wednesday on your favorite podcasting platform.

Listen Now

Training: Building Blocks

Training: Building Blocks
Jon Loomer

An introductory and skill-sharpening course on Meta advertising. Improve your campaign creation confidence!

Get Access!

Subscribe to Jon's Blog

Feel like you're always one step behind? Subscribe to Jon's blog for regular Meta advertising tutorials, news, and case studies.

Subscribe

Connect with me:

Tools

  • Facebook Ads FAQ
  • Meta Ads Glossary
  • Facebook Pixel Event Generator
  • Social Media Search Activity
  • Meta’s Earnings Reports
  • Privacy Policy

Services

  • Power Hitters Club
  • One-on-One Consulting
  • Agencies

Quick Links

  • About Me
  • Where Should I Start?
  • The Pubcast
  • Podcast Appearances
  • Blog
  • Where You Can Find Jon
  • Jon’s Advertising Philosophies
  • AI ChatBot
  • Custom Event Mastery
Jon Loomer Digital
For Advanced Facebook Marketers
Email: [email protected]
© 2025 Jon Loomer Digital
Website by Glass Mountains
  • Blog
  • Access
    ▼
    • Building Blocks
    • Membership Info
    • PHC Login
    • Agencies
    • One-on-One
  • FREE
    ▼
    • The Loop
    • Blog Alerts
    • Video Alerts
    • Cornerstone Tips
    • Podcast Alerts
    • The Full Funnel
    • Beginners
  • Videos
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Is that ok?OkPrivacy Policy