I am finding Facebook to be a great tool for networking and connecting with people.
Since I started using last fall, I have connected with old friends, family members, new associates and some pretty big names. With Facebook, you can make contact with people who might otherwise be very difficult to reach.
I've added over 1000 friends, started a handful of groups and have discovered how to post items so others can see what I am up to.
But there is a dark side to Facebook.
I get bombarded with invitations to stupid applications, like Werewolves, Zombies and Slayers.
I add someone as my friend and pretty soon I am inundated with requests to compare my movie tastes or find out how "hot" I am.
And there is nothing worse than someone who invites you to every ridiculous application under the sun.
It's Facebook spam, and I have had...
ENOUGH!
There are two questions that I have been asking others about Facebook.
1) How do I delete and/or block a "friend" from my list?
2) How do I block being invited to annoying applications?
First things first.
I have had to delete a few people whose "Facebook friendship" has turned to harrassment.
Here's how you delete someone.
Click to their profile.
If they are as annoying as you think, you will encounter a very long page filled with every kind of nonsense under the sun.
Scroll ALL the way to the bottom of the page and you will find a handy-dandy link in the bottom left corner.
It is conveniently labeled "Remove from Friends"
Click it with great joy!
Now, what if someone sends you annoying unsolicited messages via Facebook?
Click on the message and just next to the offender's photo is a link that says "Report message".
When you click this link, you will have an opportunity to permanently block this individual from contacting you on that account. Easy!
Ok, so what about the applications from hell?
You CAN block all invites from individual applications! It's true!
Go to the application that you wish to erase from the face of the earth.
In my case, the applications include Werewolves, Zombies, Vampires and Slayers.
You can do a search and then check the applications results.
Click "view application".
And there it is. On the right side just a few links below the large "Add Application" button.
There is a link that says "block application" and it is your link of salvation.
Click it.
Then you can smile knowing that the application will never again darken your profile.
Of course, you can groan when you realize that there are hundreds more applications that your so-called friends will be inviting you to join.
Ah, well. It's not a perfect world. but hopefully these tips will make your Facebook experience just a little more enjoyable.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
February 18, 2008 12:32 PM
Thank you Joel! I'll add this information to my author-friends Facebook learning curve.
Joy~
Jeanette
February 18, 2008 12:32 PM
Joel,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this information! The Werewolves, Zombies, Vampires and Slayers application were driving me nuts.
Lori
February 18, 2008 04:40 PM
Good tips!!
When Facebook is getting more people and you will get more spam msg...
But sometimes during the festival season like New Year or Christmas, I like to Super Poke my friends on Facebook.
Some application is cool to share & showed-off...haha.
Thanks Joel.
February 18, 2008 06:17 PM
hey actually I use the facebook in making money belive me a good group tips could refer a lot of people to your website , more over your adsense revenu gets higher.....
February 19, 2008 02:34 PM
Thanks Joel!! There needs to be a 2.0 manual for the equivalent of Nettiquette!! Hey.....I should go start writing!
February 23, 2008 08:14 AM
Joel - thank you so much for this article! I am new to facebook myself and am just starting to get the application requests you are talking about and, like you am also getting frustrated by them. I didn't know you could block an application.
Thanks
Chris Stirling
February 25, 2008 01:29 PM
Hi, Joel.
I loved your Adsence book and I really digg your personal website. Thanks, for all the useful "Facebook" information. I am going to delete a few 'friends' when I leave your site.
Again, Joel, thanks a million$$$.
$incerely,
Daniel.
February 27, 2008 04:45 AM
Hi Joel,
The applications can get pretty annoying but at least I know what my "stripper" name would be...:-)
Seriously though, Facebook has a good thing going with all the applications. It's what keeps people coming back and using the site. It what gets people involved.
Annoying as some of the invitations may be, these applications are a major reason why Facebook is so popular. That, my friend, is why it's worth even posting there...the popularity. If it weren't popular, how much weight would you put toward even posting there to help you drive traffic to your business?
There are thousands of social networking sites. The ones worth spending your time on are the ones that can really annoy you at the same time. Guess it's the price we pay for the privilege of the leverage you can gain by using it.
March 8, 2008 05:51 AM
I am new to Facebook so I am looking for a website that can explain to me all the details of how to use it (ie add photos, add applications, etc.) I need all the intricate details.
March 9, 2008 08:15 AM
Hi Joel,
Thanks for the great pointers about FB.
What I'd like to know more about with FaceBook is how to create a group and send out messages to one's group, and so on. Also how can one help people out by using FB and make this a profitable venture as well?
Thanks, and wonderful blog, well done.
Martin
September 2, 2008 01:12 AM
Thank you for the tips on how to use Facebook. I just started to use it and was in need of a few tips. Keep up the good work on your websites/blogs!
November 30, 2008 12:30 PM
Hey!
How to add back a friend previously removed? This profile is not more accessible from old chats or friends in common or directly in Invite new friend....
January 26, 2009 07:38 AM
Joel: Thank you for this great information. I keep having sheep thrown at me (WTF??) and messages telling me how much I am worth and that I have bee bought or sold. So annoying and unprofessional. Now I know how to block. Thanks again.
March 14, 2009 12:32 AM
nice tips joel thanks.
March 24, 2009 04:30 AM
I find Facebook an invaluable tool.
I started up a friendship with an old High School buddy that I have not spoken to in nearly twenty (20) years!
It's such a neat site that I have even received several e-mails from some big-wig IMers. Not those mass-sent e-mails, but e-mails personally sent & addressed to me.
Thanks for the tips, Joel!
Best,
-K
March 31, 2009 09:23 PM
Hi Joel,
Thanks for this information. I have only dabbled in Facebook and you have given me clear cut directions on what I need to still learn and how to optimize my experience.
Great post!
Jeff Casmer
Work From Home
April 2, 2009 07:36 AM
Oh man, thanks. And I was wondering how to block a guy.
April 7, 2009 04:21 PM
I'm trying to learn Facebook and always trying to get more information'Keep on writing.
April 8, 2009 06:32 AM
Great advice for the future! But what if u accepted an application - liike Fairyland - then deleted it but friend still plays it ALL the time! Every post she has. Shows on my page!! HELP!!!!!
April 9, 2009 03:49 AM
Seems like the flexibility of facebook has saved many of us from getting spam with nonsensical stuff. I guess the latest hype right now is the mass "quiz activities" people engaged in. Seriously, I don't really care if "which dog suits my friend" , or " what horoscope represents my friend.
One or two once awhile is fine, but seriously, 20 in 10 minutes is not cool
May 2, 2009 08:48 AM
great info,
thanks
Daniel (published Author)
www.violinmadeeasy.net
May 5, 2009 10:10 PM
45 eh? Well many happy returns Joel!
I am an 80 year old Aussie (81 in Sept) from 'the horse and buggy days', having spent all my working life in the years BC (Before Computers), and actually worked for Australia's leading bank in a country town without electricity in 1952. Of course I also grew up in the days of no cars (for most people), and a steam train journey took over 5 hours to travel what can now be driven in 90 minutes, no telephones, no radio, refrigerators, washing machines, hot water services, sewerage, and quite obviously, no televison or computers.
WOW! What a lot has happened since those days! My wife and I have 2 sons and 2 daughters aged 44 to 50 years, plus 9 grandsons, 2 grand-daughters, and 1 great grandson.
My wife and I worked our butts off to send our kids to private schools; cost today is $70,000 per annum. And now we are old, bankrupt, and live on social services for less than $500 AUD a week.
Is it really possible to earn an online income? I am gob smacked at the claims of so many to earn unbelievable online incomes. I am still struggling to come to terms with all this computer techie stuff, and am yet to buy your Twitter book.
Congratulations on your 45the birthday and all you have achieved! Unbelievable!
August 3, 2009 04:06 PM
thx for all the informations uv gaved us
August 12, 2009 07:08 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the excellent article. I could feel what you felt about the 'spam'. I'm going to delete some people!
August 15, 2009 01:45 PM
Thank you for the info, glad to know that.
September 29, 2009 02:35 PM
I am trying to put my son on facebook on my pc now i can not log into my account what do i need to do. I have him a facebook account but when i bring up facebook its his account i dont know how to get to my acciount now help
October 12, 2009 01:55 AM
Hi Joel,
I think it's time for me to start using facebook. I am a little bit slow on social medias, but I'm caching up.
Franck
October 16, 2009 07:14 AM
Hi Joel,
Your post about Facebook provides important instructions to help us as we navigate through their site.
However, I'm curious as to whether you have written a follow up article or plan to write a novel with more helpful guidelines for using Facebook.
I am currently reading your book, "Twitter Power" and find it to be fascinating and filled with lots of valuable info.
Thank you,
Margie Franklin, The Home Biz Diva