Have you ever been “scolded” for committing a Facebook faux pas? Did you seek out an Emily Post to figure out what to do and NOT do on the most popular social media sites? I said “Yes” to both those questions last year and then wrote this article.

However, today I found the best article on What Not To Do on Facebook, written by my good friend and social media colleague Karen Clark.

Stop Annoying People on Facebook

Guest Post by Karen Clark

I’ve gotten great reviews of my Facebook Do’s and Don’ts report that you can get when you subscribe to my newsletter. Since writing that though I’ve noticed even more “bad behavior” on Facebook! A lot of it coming from so-called Social Media consultants. I decided to poll people on my Twitter and Fan Page to see what the most annoying Facebook behaviors are.

Here is what we came up with – do you see yourself in any of these? Then knock it off! 

1. If you’re an active Twitter user, do not have your Tweets feed into your Facebook Profile or Fan Page – it’s too much, too often, and uses too much Twitter lingo – it’s annoying. Disconnect the auto-publish and either use Selective Tweets to share occasional Tweets, or turn it off completely.

2. Don’t constantly send gifts, badges, eggs, hearts or other “cutesie” items to people. Once in a while, and for a reason, is OK, but not over and over and over.

3. Don’t tag people who aren’t actually IN the picture, note, or video. That’s “tag spam.”

4. Don’t authorize your game apps to post to your Wall (and therefore OUR news feeds) every time you score, win, kill someone or need help. If you must share, post manually not automatically.

5. Don’t post something dramatic leaving out crucial information – such as “Oh my gosh I can’t believe it!” – without giving the details. Don’t make us beg, it’s annoying and manipulative. If you don’t want to tell, don’t post. If you do want to tell, then tell!

6. Don’t post your own self-promotional junk on someone else’s Fan Page wall. Would you go into a brick and mortar store and plaster posters about your business?

7. Don’t use Facebook Mail (private messages) to spam people you don’t even communicate with. Messages are for friends who want to have a more private conversation.

8. Don’t use the Events as a way to promote a non-event such as running an event that runs Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 and the event is “Join My Business Opportunity” – bad form!

9. Repeatedly negative posts – whining, ranting, venting, complaining about how bad your life is. How is this adding to anyone’s life?

10. Constantly inviting friends to participate in games – Chances are if we ignored or blocked one, we won’t agree to any of them, so stop inviting us please.

11. Don’t repost something original and brilliant I said without asking permission and/or giving me credit for it. Use the “Share” link so it says “via so and so” or tag me in the post or at least say “Thanks to Susie Q for this great tip” for example.

12. Don’t keep suggesting I become a Fan of your Fan Page over and over and over. If I am ignoring you, I am IGNORING you. There’s no way for me to block the suggestion so please take a hint. A general rule of thumb is to invite someone once, and maybe once again in a couple weeks and then stop. A generic “share” of your Fan Page link to your wall occasionally is enough to remind people and give them a chance to choose whether to join you.

13.If you’re using FB for business, and aren’t a good speller or have a decent command of your primary language – consider having someone proofread for you  – or compose in Word and use spellcheck/grammar check. A minor typo here and there is one thing, but improper English and obviously misspelled words reflects poorly on you as a business.

14. Don’t put your personal problems out there on Facebook and then get mad when people jump in with advice or their opinion. If you don’t want a discussion, don’t bring it up.

15. Don’t start drama on Facebook. Do you know how that makes you look to others?

16. Don’t reply to a status update or a post on your wall by going to the other person’s wall and starting a new post. Just click ‘Comment”

17. Don’t post personal things on someone’s wall or status update that should be private or could be embarrassing.

18. Don’t post overtly sexual remarks or use profane language. If you wouldn’t say it in the company of strangers or friends of friends, don’t say it in public on Facebook.

19. Do not post business related items over and over on your personal profile. We tune you out!

20. And last but not least, we do not need a play by play of your day, every 5 minutes!

What would you add?

Check out Karen’s other Facebook Guest Post on this blog:Tips & Tabs for Facebook Fan Pages.