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Facebook Pages vs. Public Groups vs. Private Groups: Which One is Right for You?
Facebook is an incredibly underrated platform for bloggers and online business owners.
It’s not just your weird Uncle sharing racist memes or for wedding and baby announcements from your high school classmates anymore.
But Facebook should be effective for your business you have to have a strategy.
That starts with figuring out how you are going to use the platform. There are 3 options to choose from: Facebook Pages, Public Groups, and Private Groups.
I’ve run all 3 types for a variety of businesses from publishing houses to pet blogs to construction companies to the Facebook Page and Private Group I have for She Knows SEO. Some really weren’t right for me, and others just weren’t right for a specific project.
You have to know the intention with each one, and how to best use it.
And don’t worry, I’ll share everything you need to know.
Plus a quiz that gives you my expert advice on which option might be best for you!
You’ll also get some tips I’ve picked up along the way to help you succeed cause I’m all about taking action.
Facebook Pages
What is a Facebook Page?
A Facebook Page is essentially your brand’s public profile on Facebook.
Your audience can learn about your business, follow your updates, and even leave reviews.
Pages allow you to speak at your audience and share public promotions.
Most online businesses have a Facebook Page, even if they don’t update it regularly. Why? Because they’re free to start, offer visibility, and can be connected to your Instagram account for seamless cross-posting. They even show up in Google Search.
I think of Facebook Pages like listening to an album by your favourite artist at home. You get to hear their words and get to know them a bit better, but there really isn’t as much interaction between you and the artist.
Sure, you can engage with fans in the comments, but they can’t initiate a conversation—you have to be the one starting it.
Or, think of it as a university lecture for First Years. The lecturer shares all the insights, but the students can only ask questions at the end. They can’t really add to the discussion during the lecture itself.
Pros & Cons of Facebook Pages
Pros
- Build Your Brand: Establish credibility and authority with a branded Page. It’s like a mini website or Google Business Page for your business, giving you a professional digital presence.
- Easy to Run Ads: Pages are the best option for running ads to get more likes, reach, and engagement. Ads run through Pages often have a lower cost per click compared to groups.
- More Visible: Pages are public, so everyone can see and interact with them. This makes them great for building brand awareness and attracting new followers.
Cons
- Organic Reach Struggles: Facebook’s algorithm doesn’t always favour Page content, making it hard to get seen without spending on ads. It’s not the best for organic growth.
- One-Way Conversations: Pages feel more like a broadcast channel. You can respond to comments, but the setup doesn’t invite the same level of back-and-forth engagement you’d get in a group.
- Content Demands: To keep your Page active, you’ve got to post consistently. It’s not something you can set up once and leave alone—expect to commit to regular updates.
When to Use a Facebook Page
If you have a local business, a physical location, or a brand, a Facebook Page is a must. It’s the perfect place to showcase your expertise, collect visible reviews, and offer a point of contact for customer service—people can even DM your Page with private concerns.
But Pages aren’t just for brick-and-mortar businesses—they’re also great for bloggers.
You can create a Page for your site, run ads to get more Page likes, and share regular posts that drive traffic to your blog. This approach became popular after the Helpful Content Update (HCU) shook up the strategies of many SEOs, pushing them to find new ways to drive traffic.
Here’s how to monetize it: by sending people to ad-monetized blog posts. It’s a solid way to increase pageviews, which in turn boosts your ad income.
You can also monetize by sharing affiliate links, selling products, and getting intro the Facebook Bonus Program.
You can take this strategy even further, like Niche Site Lady does. She runs Facebook ads to build her email list and then uses the thank you page to encourage subscribers to like her Facebook Page.
Or, she sends a follow-up email with a link to her Page.
It’s a smart way to keep new followers engaged across platforms while boosting traffic to both your site and your Facebook presence.
Real-Life Examples
I have a Facebook Page for She Knows SEO, where I share a mix of content similar to what I post on other platforms, including my Private Facebook Group.
Now I’ve never run ads to it and I don’t prioritize promoting it, so its reach is pretty limited, with just over a hundred likes after a few years.
However, the Page still gets a steady flow of DMs from people asking about my courses, and even brands interested in collaborating.
My page doesn’t drive traffic, but it definitely adds to my branding.
It also shows up on Google if you search “she knows seo”. It’s usually the #10 spot for the term.
But let’s be real—I’m not the shining example of Facebook Page success. So, I’ve rounded up some standout Facebook Pages (well my audience submitted them) to inspire you:
How to Run a Successful Facebook Page
I’ll be the first to admit—I’m not a Facebook Page expert. But Andy Skraga of Hike Your Likes definitely is.
Almost everything I know about Pages comes from Andy or from people who’ve taken his course.
Here’s a quick rundown of Andy’s top tips for making a Page work:
- Post Consistently: At least 3+ times a day, with Andy recommending a post every 1-3 hours to keep engagement high.
- Repurpose Viral Content: Find viral content and repurpose it into your own blog posts or articles to drive more clicks.
- Use Eye-Catching Thumbnails: Grab attention with bold, interesting visuals to make users stop scrolling and read.
- Short-Form Articles Work Best: Stick to articles around 500 words—short enough to hold attention but long enough to deliver value.
- Go Bold with Colours: Use bold, vivid colours in your images to stand out in the feed.
- Share Links in the First Comment: To get around Facebook’s algorithm and keep your posts visible, share links in the first comment instead of the main post.
If you want to learn more, Andy has a fantastic free course that dives deep into this strategy.
I took it myself after chatting with Niche Site Lady back in May. I was all set to put it into action… but, as usual, I overcommitted to too many other projects to try it all out.
But if you’re serious about growing your Page, Andy’s course is a must do!
Public Facebook Groups
What is a Public Facebook Group?
A Public Facebook Group is a community on Facebook that everyone can eavesdrop on, but you have to join to be able to participate.
While a Page is all about your brand, a Public Group dives into the niche your brand lives in.
Unless you’re Duolingo or Canva, your group probably won’t be brand-focused. Instead, it’s more likely to cover a broader topic, like “language learning for beginners” if you’re Duolingo.
Public Groups let people see what your brand stands for and how knowledgeable you are, but you’re not the only one running the show. Anyone can start discussions, ask questions, and share ideas—it’s all about engaging with real people.
Public Groups can reach hundreds of thousands of people, but there is the slight exclusivity that you can only participate if you are a member.
You can also moderate the group to keep the vibes up and keep the spam out.
If a Facebook Page is listening to an album at home alone, a Public Group is like attending a sold out concert. The musician still has the stage, but you’re engaging with a community who also love them.
Or, think of it like a fitness class in the park. People can watch from the sidelines and even try to follow along, but only the members get the instructor’s tips, encouragement, and real feedback.
Pros & Cons of Public Facebook Groups
Pros
- Fast Growth: Public Groups benefit from both Pages and Private Groups in Facebook’s algorithm, so they grow much faster. It’s like having a megaphone that reaches more people—perfect for expanding your community quickly.
- Sneak Peek for Members: Non-members can see what’s going on before they join, giving them a chance to decide if the group is worth it. It’s like offering a free sample that often leads to full engagement once they join.
- Member-Led Conversations: Members can kick off their own discussions, making it more interactive. It’s like a community event where everyone gets to have a say, creating a collaborative atmosphere.
Cons
- Spam & Bots: Public Groups tend to attract more spammy requests and bot sign-ups. You’ll need to keep an eye out and filter the nonsense. Group rules and membership questions make this pretty easy to fix.
- Less Personal: The bigger, more general crowd can make it harder to form deep connections. It’s like trying to have a heartfelt chat at a massive block party—you’re still making friends, but it’s not as cozy.
- Lots of Comments: With more members comes more comments, questions, and conversations to manage. It’s a good problem to have, but it can be overwhelming without a plan.
When to Use a Public Facebook Group
Public Facebook Groups are best for content sites and bloggers looking to create an active, growing community without the pressure of posting every 2 hours.
Use a Public Group to showcase your authority in your niche, whether via your own posts or by answering member questions. Since members can also post, you won’t be the only one filling the group with content.
If you run a blog, create a group around your niche topic (i.e. “road tripping with dogs” not “Nina and Theo Tripping Through Life”). You’ll have more freedom to post links to your blog without the algorithm getting cranky, and you can share affiliate links more easily.
But your highest click rates won’t come from regular posts.
They’ll come from responding to member questions/posts with a bit of information to tease an article/affiliate, and then dropping your link.
It’s the same technique Stephanie Mayo uses to drive hundreds of clicks per day from her travel group. When someone asks, “What are the best hiking trails near this specific small town?”, she responds with, “X, Y, and Z are my favourites. Here are some more I love: [link].”
Most bloggers try to do this in other peoples’ groups and get banned. Stop pissing off other moderators and make your own group where you can link drop as much as you want!
Public Groups also offer other monetization opportunities, like landing sponsored deals or negotiating higher affiliate commissions due to your audience size.
My favourite secret strategy is to turn a Facebook Group into a lead magnet by asking for email addresses in the membership questions.
Stephanie used this approach to get 6k email subscribers in just a couple months.
Now she has a public community, a private community algorithms can’t affect, and even more impressive stats to attract brand deals. Win-win-win!
Real-Life Examples
I don’t run any Public Groups, so I asked my audience to send in some that are crushing it to inspire you:
How to Run a Successful Public Facebook Group
I learned everything I know about Public Groups from Stephanie Mayo from a guest speaker spot in my Profitable Part-Time Blogger program. It blew me away so much that we decided to co-create a course with her expertise!
Here are some of Stephanie’s top tips for making a Public Group work for you:
- Post Daily Prompts: Engage members by posting at least once a day to start with questions, polls, or prompts. It keeps the group active and encourages members to interact regularly.
- Respond Quickly: Answer member questions as soon as possible. This builds trust and positions you as an active, reliable source of information in the group. Don’t wait weeks.
- Drop Links Strategically: Give a quick answer, then add a link for more details. It’s one of Stephanie’s most effective strategies for driving clicks back to her site.
- Set Clear Group Rules: Establish clear guidelines from the start. Rules not only keep the group focused but also set expectations for behaviour and engagement.
- Capture Emails: Use membership questions to collect emails before members join. This converts group growth into list growth, making it a win-win strategy for building your audience.
- Turn On Post-Approval: Prevent spam by turning on manual post-approvals so you maintain the quality of your group. Try to check this every other day so they aren’t waiting too long.
Stephanie and I teamed up to teach her exact strategies for setting up a group that attracts members organically, replaces lost SEO traffic after the Helpful Content Update, and generates thousands in ad revenue, affiliate commissions, and sponsorships.
Check out the Public Group Playbook for just $47 to get all her epic strategies!
Private Facebook Groups
What is a Private Facebook Group?
A Private Facebook Group is an exclusive community of your besties.
Unlike Public Groups, nobody else can see what’s happening inside unless they join. It feels more private for members and adds that touch of exclusivity that makes people want in.
You can use Private Groups in different ways, like student-only or client-only spaces for courses or memberships. I’m focusing on free-to-join Private Groups to compare them with the other options.
If you’re building a community just for paying students, you’ll definitely want a Private Facebook Group.
Most businesses think it’s better to have public facing platforms, but there’s a special magic in creating an exclusive space.
Members love knowing that their Aunt won’t see their plans to move abroad or details about how much their business is making.
These groups are free to start and can appear in Facebook’s search results (not Google Search) when optimized with niche-related keywords. While you might get fewer members at first compared to a Public Group, I’m all about building a smaller, highly engaged community.
I think of a Private Facebook Group as a VIP meet-and-greet before the concert. You get to talk directly with the artist about their music and get behind the scenes information that no one else gets.
Or, imagine it as a study group where one person might lead, but everyone contributes to the discussion. It’s all about sharing, learning, and supporting each other.
Pros & Cons of Private Facebook Groups
Pros
- Highly Engaged Community: Build deeper connections with fewer members. It’s like hosting a cozy dinner party where everyone gets to chat, making discussions more meaningful.
- Safe Space for Sharing: Members feel more comfortable sharing sensitive details, knowing only group members can see them. It’s like having a members-only clubhouse where trust encourages open conversation.
- Easy to Monetize: The exclusivity makes it easier to sell services, products, or courses directly within the group. It’s like having a built-in VIP audience that’s ready to buy, whether through exclusive offers, workshops, or member-only content.
Cons
- Limited Growth: Private Facebook Groups grow slower because of their exclusivity and limited visibility in search results. It’s more like a slow simmer than a quick boil, so patience is key.
- Requires Strong Community Building: Members expect a higher level of interaction and support, which can be time-consuming. It’s not just about posting; it’s about consistently fostering conversations and relationships.
- No Public Engagement: Pages allow engagement from the broader audience, while Private Groups restrict interaction to members only. This limits your ability to build broader brand awareness and attract new followers.
When to Use a Private Facebook Group
A Private Facebook Group is best for businesses centred around topics that require privacy, like anything finance-related or in depth into a business.
It’s your go-to option when you want full control over who joins, who stays, and who sees the content. If you’re aiming for a members-only vibe or a VIP experience, a Private Facebook Group is your best bet.
Private Groups work incredibly well for selling products or services. You can communicate directly with your audience, answer questions, and showcase your expertise as you go.
Members trust you more cause they know you’re speaking directly to them—and JUST to them.
Even though growth can be slower compared to Public Groups, don’t underestimate the power of a smaller, highly engaged community. I hit my first $100,000 month with a Private Facebook Group of just around 1,000 members—it drove a significant percentage of those sales.
A Private Group can also act like a public FAQ repository. It keeps your inbox clear while allowing everyone to learn together. Whether it’s a question they didn’t think to ask or one many members are asking, the group covers it.
I use mine as an exclusive space where members can get my answers and feedback, expanding on content I share elsewhere.
It’s like a test drive—potential clients get to see your expertise in action and decide if you’re the right fit for them.
I also treat my Private Group like a “Club Nina” setup, offering behind-the-scenes insights and exclusive content. It’s where I share more than anywhere else, except in paid communities.
Here’s an example:
Much like with Public Groups, I use mine as a lead magnet, a space to share links and affiliate offers, and a direct channel for promoting products and services.
I take a different approach than most—I prefer to keep my group small and highly engaged. I regularly remove inactive members to maintain quality. So, don’t be afraid of having a smaller group. Private Groups can be incredibly small but mighty.
In fact, my little 3,000-member group consistently outsells other groups with over 10,000 members. The admins often message me, asking how I manage it.
It’s like I said earlier: I keep it a community of my besties. If I don’t vibe with someone or they’re not engaging, they’re out.
Real-Life Examples
I run the SEO for Bloggers Private Facebook Group, where I share tips and strategies to help bloggers improve their SEO and blog monetization. It used to just be for travel bloggers, but I let any niche in now.
It’s a bit different from other groups—I treat it like a student-only space, where you need to be on my email list to join. In this case, a “student” includes anyone who has signed up for a freebie or purchased one of my offers. It limits membership growth, but it ensures the group is filled with my ideal audience.
I post daily using a set posting schedule to boost engagement, and I respond to every post within 72 hours (usually more like 12 hours).
I self-moderate the group and only bring in help when I’m away for longer vacations.
While it takes effort, it’s honestly one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of my business. I’ve built a corner of the internet filled with my ideal community, where I can dive deep into my favourite topics.
But I’m not the only one making waves with a Private Group! Here are some other standout examples across different niches:
How to Run a Successful Private Facebook Group
In the other sections of this post I focused on other experts, but we’re finally at my area of expertise so these tips come from my years of experience running over a dozen Facebook groups.
- Choose a Searchable Name: Pick a name that includes a keyword or phrase related to your niche. This helps your group appear in search results, making it easier for your ideal members to find and join.
- Focus on Engagement from Day One: Start by posting daily yourself. Once members start contributing, respond to their posts promptly to encourage ongoing discussions. This builds momentum and keeps the group active.
- Leverage Membership Questions: Use membership questions to collect emails and ensure members align with the group’s focus. This turns your group into an organic lead magnet and helps maintain a high-quality community.
- Offer Exclusive Content: Share behind-the-scenes insights, additional tips, and early access to resources. Treat the group like a VIP club, where members get value that’s not available anywhere else.
- Remember, They’re Real People: Don’t treat members like numbers or page views—think of them as guests at your dinner table. Interact with them personally, get to know their interests, and build genuine relationships.
- Set Specific Group Rules: Establish clear rules so everyone understands how the group runs. For example, create a “no link-dropping” rule or allow self-promotion only in specific threads. Clear boundaries keep discussions focused and prevent spam.
If you’re ready to launch a Private Facebook Group for your business, I have a $9 course called the Group Growth Accelerator that can help you get started.
This course walks you through everything you need to grow your group on autopilot while boosting its engagement from the very beginning.
Which is Right For You?
| Feature | Facebook Page | Public Facebook Group | Private Facebook Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Public, anyone can see | Public, but must join to participate | Private, only members can see content |
| Growth Speed | Moderate, can be boosted with ads | Fast, benefits from algorithm visibility | Slower, grows through targeted invites |
| Engagement | One-way conversations, primarily from page owner | Member-led discussions, higher organic interactions | Deep engagement, exclusive conversations |
| Monetization | Ads, affiliate links, public promotions | Affiliate links, email list growth, community-based sales | Product sales, services, private offers, lead magnets |
| Content Control | High, but less interaction | Medium, member-driven discussions | Highest, with clear boundaries and moderated discussions |
| Privacy | None, all interactions are public | Limited, anyone can see but must join to engage | Full, only members have access |
Answer these questions thoughtfully to figure out which one is best for your business:
Which Facebook Feature is Right for You?
1. How do you plan to make money with your community?
2. How much personal interaction are you comfortable with?
3. What type of content do you mostly create?
4. How do you want your audience to perceive your brand?
5. How would you describe your community’s needs?
6. What’s your ideal group size to start with?
7. How quickly do you want to grow your community, and are you open to using paid ads?
8. How private does your content need to be?
P.S. I coded this quiz for free with ChatGPT using this code. You can also use it to make paginated quizzes and calculators!
It’s All About Real People
You’ve made your choice about which Facebook feature to use, but let’s not forget the heart of it all: real people.
Whether it’s a Page, Public Group, or Private Group, remember that you’re building a community, not just a marketing channel. Every person who likes your page or joins your group is an actual human being giving you their time and vote of confidence.
Too many marketers focus on the total number of people in their community and forget to appreciate the individuals who are already there. These amazing people are willing to engage with your content and want to learn more about your business.
In fact, they can help you grow your business by suggesting things for you to create content around.
One of the best ways to run a Page or Group is to listen to your audience and repurpose popular questions, discussions, and feedback threads into new content like blog posts or even paid offers. I have a formula for creating paid offers based on my Facebook group community—but I’ll save that for inside the Group Growth Accelerator and Public Group Playbook 😉.
Here’s my secret for creating blog posts from my communities: if a question or topic comes up more than three times, or gets a lot of engagement—let’s say 50 likes as a random benchmark—I write a blog post about it and share it in my group.
This saves time in the long run because people are likely to keep asking about the same topics, and it helps drive more traffic to your site.
Remember, these communities are built on personal relationships, so let them inspire you as much as you inspire them.
If you’re ready to dive deeper, check out the Public Group Playbook for Public Facebook Group success or the Group Growth Accelerator for kick-starting your Private Facebook Group.
