Jetpack 6.3.3: Important Change to Facebook Shares via Publicize

Jetpack 6.3.3 is now available for download. This point fix addresses an important change to our Publicize feature, which will limit your ability to share content to a Facebook Profile.

We’ve broken this post down into a few sections to help you understand the change, how it may impact your site, and how you can share your feedback with Facebook, so please read carefully.

What’s new in 6.3.3

Starting August 1, 2018, a change to Facebook’s API means that third-party tools can no longer share posts automatically to Facebook Profiles. This includes Publicize, our feature that connects your site to major social media platforms like Facebook.

As a result, this release includes both the change to the Publicize feature, and a notice that is designed to help you with next steps:

• The update first: we have removed the ability to select Facebook Profile connections in the Publicize UI. Facebook Page connections are not affected by this change (see below for more information).
• Second, Jetpack will now show you a notice regarding your existing connections to a Facebook Profile, if you have any. This will allow you to quickly understand what has changed and which connections you will be losing as a result of the update to 6.3.3. Publicize will also allow you to add new connections to Facebook Pages in the place of Profile connections, if you prefer.

We understand that you probably have some questions about this update, so here’s a little more information that will help you after you navigate this change easily.

Will this affect my ability to share content on Facebook?

It depends. If you’ve connected a Facebook Profile to your site, then yes: Publicize will no longer be able to share your posts to Facebook.

On the other hand, nothing will change if you keep a Facebook Page connected to your site — all your content should still appear directly on Facebook via Publicize.

If you’re not sure what the difference is between a Page and a Profile, here’s Facebook’s explanation.

How can I share my new posts to Facebook now?

If you still want your Facebook followers to see your new posts from your Jetpack-connected site, you have two options:

1. Go the manual route: once you publish a new post, copy its URL and share the link in a new Facebook post.
2. The other option, which isn’t for everyone, but works if your site focuses on a business, organization, or brand: convert your Facebook Profile to a Page. Facebook has some information on this process right here.

Why did Facebook do this? How do I let them know I don’t like the change?

Facebook says that they’re updating their API to improve their platform and prevent the misuse of personal profiles. But we know that this might cause a disruption in the way you schedule and promote content, especially if you schedule promotions of your content on Facebook far in advance.

If you’d like to share your concerns on this change with Facebook, you can head to their Help Community and let them know your thoughts.

Final notes on 6.3.3

If you’re having trouble managing your connections to a Facebook Profile or Page after updating to 6.3.3, our experts are always available to answer questions and troubleshoot Publicize connections with you via our support channels. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if we can lend a hand.

If you’re looking for more details on this update, as always, the full changelog has what you need.

Thanks for your understanding, and please let us know if there are any further questions we can answer for you about this release, Publicize, or changes to the Facebook API.

Nicole Kohler

Writer, nerd, and petter of dogs. Defender of the Oxford comma. Eater of sushi and lover of the color yellow. She/her.