How to Be More Likable Online

If you’re looking to boost your follower count or you’re trying to follow proper online etiquette to enhance your image, you may be wondering how you can increase your likability. The good news is that so long as you’re personable, friendly, and present an authentic image, people will like you. This is especially important if you’re running a brand or business, since people will respond positively if it feels like there’s a real person on the other side of the screen. If you’re looking for subtle tricks and tips on how you can put your best foot forward, you’re in the right place. Just keep in mind, there are a lot of trolls out there, so don’t take the comments of random strangers to heart!

1

Be friendly and fair on social media.

If you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face, don’t say it online. It’s easy to forget that there are people behind those digital screennames.^{[1]XResearch source} If you want people to like you online, applying the golden rule will get you far. So many people out there put on a show on or try to get a rise out of people online, so if you’re a good digital citizen, you’ll be way more likely to attract others.^{[2]XExpert SourceChristina Bachelor
Marketing & Advertising SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 April 2021.}
- This is especially important if you’re trying to build your brand’s image. If people think you’re being rude or curt with visitors on your page, they’re not going to leave with a positive impression of your company.^{[3]XExpert SourceChristina Bachelor
  Marketing & Advertising SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 April 2021.}
- If you’re crafting original content for a blog or website, make sure that you maintain a dose of compassion when it comes to interacting with your readers, customers, or viewers. Even if someone’s being nasty, do your best to be friendly and kind.
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2

Use a flattering profile photo.

When it comes to social media, your photo says a lot about who you are. People make snap judgments about others online—just like they do in real life. Upload a cool photo where you’re looking your best to make a good first impression. When in doubt, a well-composed selfie is never a bad bet! It’s easier to like someone if they look clean and approachable, so choose a photo where you’re looking great and people will gravitate towards you online.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Travel pics or photos where you’re doing something you passionate about are always going to be safe choices.
- If you’re trying to put out a more “popular” vibe, a big group photo is a good way to go.
- A good smile goes a long way. Studies show that people are more likely to trust you and agree with you if you’ve got a friendly grin on your face!^{[5]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}

3

Inject some personality in your page.

If you’ve got a brand or company, don’t shy away from being yourself. People will hold your business in a more positive light if you present yourself like a real person and not some robotic voice for a product. Update the “about” sections of your website and/or social media so that it sounds like it was written by someone having a little bit of fun, and don’t shy away from posts that incorporate jokes, sarcasm, or playful energy if it’s appropriate for your brand.^{[6]XExpert SourceChristina Bachelor
Marketing & Advertising SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 April 2021.}
- For example, instead of writing, “Here at Mission Mortgages, we work tirelessly to get you the loan you need,” you might say, “Thinking about ditching that studio apartment for the home of your dreams? Hit us up! Even if you don’t qualify for a loan, we’ll at least give you decorating tips.”
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4

Compliment acquaintances and celebrate others.

Build others up to send the message that you’re supportive. If someone is celebrating a birthday, take 5 seconds to send them a happy birthday note. If someone gets a big promotion at work, send them a message to congratulate them. The more you can reach out to others and support them, the more likely they’ll be to enjoy your presence online.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Whenever someone posts a photo, throw them a compliment. If they’re posting a fancy meal they had on Instagram, say, “That looks so good! Where did you find this delectable dish?” If they share a selfie, compliment their outfit or tell them their hair looks good.

5

Post positive, uplifting content.

The internet is full of negativity, so fight back by keeping things positive. People are naturally attracted to things that make them feel good. While you might get more engagement or comments by posting controversial ideas or depressing news stories, you’re not going to elicit positive feelings in people. Instead, opt for motivational posts, talk about things you’re passionate about, and keep things positive!^{[8]XResearch source}
- People love stories and humor. If you can keep someone’s interest by spinning a fanciful yarn or telling a hilarious joke, people are going to respond well.^{[9]XResearch source}
- On social media, you can always re-share content. You don’t always have to craft OC (original content) to be well-liked online.
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6

Incorporate more videos in your posts.

You’ll appear much more authentic if you share videos on occasion. If you’re running a professional page, include videos as often as you can. Folks will be more likely to see your business in a favorable light if they feel like there are real people running the page, and videos are a great way to communicate directly with viewers.^{[10]XExpert SourceChristina Bachelor
Marketing & Advertising SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 April 2021.} Even if they’re just 5-10 second clips of you inviting customers to visit your shop, people will leave with a more positive opinion of your brand.^{[11]XResearch source}
- On personal pages, short updates on what you’re doing in your daily life can make you feel more personable. As a business, you could shoot short videos with your employees, showcase new products, or get in on the latest TikTok challenge or trend.
- The upside here is that you should see much more engagement as well. People tend to interact with videos more often than text-based posts.

7

Ask a lot of questions.

People like talking about themselves, so ask tons of questions. There are so many people online who just throw their opinion out there without engaging with the ideas of others. Be a breath of fresh air by staying curious. Whether it’s a casual, “How’s it going?” or a follow-up question about where someone bought that tank top in their new selfie, you’re going to be well-liked if you ask questions.^{[12]XResearch source}
- This is an especially good way to drive traffic and interaction on your company’s social media page. Give the public something to respond to, and they’ll jump at the opportunity.
- If someone posts an interesting article, you could ask, “Wow, I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this. Where did you find out about this?”
- If you’re creating online content for a blog or business, ask the public questions. Even something as simple as, “Let me know what you guys think in the comments below” will make visitors and readers feel like their opinions matter.^{[13]XExpert SourceChristina Bachelor
  Marketing & Advertising SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 April 2021.}
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8

Run a background check before you reply to others.

It’s easier to find mutual ground with people if you check out their page. People respond a lot better when they feel like there’s some common ground. If you want people to like you online, check their profile out before you interact with them. This way, you may get some context for what they care about or believe, and you can lean into something you have in common to increase the odds they like you or add you as a friend/follower/customer.^{[14]XResearch source}
- For example, if you see someone’s got a big St. Louis Cardinals banner on their Facebook profile, you can casually slip in a reference to baseball.
- If you see that someone enjoys talking about politics, you could try posting an op-ed about a popular political topic and ask people what they think.
- This will also help you avoid obviously bad faith actors and trolls. If someone’s profile is covered in nasty jokes or questionable content, you can avoid interacting with them altogether.

9

Overexplain yourself a bit to avoid conflict or confusion.

People assume the worst sometimes, so make it clear what you mean. If there’s ever a situation where people might misconstrue what you’re getting at, make it abundantly clear what you’re saying. You can’t detect sarcasm online, and the absence of body language can make it fairly difficult for people to pick up on subtext or subtlety. Using qualifiers and being super clear about what you’re trying to say will help avoid misunderstandings.^{[15]XResearch source}
- If you’re trying to clarify or push against misinformation online, you might say, “Not trying to say you’re wrong…” or, “That’s interesting, and I’m really happy you said that. However…”
- If you’re worried a comment may be misconstrued, you might say, “Genuine question…” or, “…sorry if that came out the wrong way. I’m just trying to share my perspective!”
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10

Reread your posts and comments before you hit enter.

Clean grammar, clarity, and punctuation will keep people happy online. There are a lot of grammar-obsessed folks floating around online, so check your writing before you post anything substantial. Rereading everything will also keep you from sending the wrong message or conveying the wrong tone. This is also an opportunity to punch up any language that feels a little flat as well.^{[16]XResearch source}
- It’s going to be hard for people to take your brand seriously if you’re always publishing poorly-worded content or misspelling common words.
- It’s totally okay to skip complete sentences or proper spelling if you’re just chatting casually with someone or you’re doing it intentionally for effect (like a teen magazine trying to come off as youthful). If you’re running a blog or publishing content though, you do want it to read correctly.

11

Take criticism and trolls with a grain of salt.

People are attracted to laid back vibes, and being online should fun. It’s easy to treat the online world like life or death, and there’s a plethora of examples out there where people are just screaming back and forth at one another. Take it easy and don’t treat anything that happens online like it’s a super big deal. You’ll be happier this way, and you’ll be well-liked online if you’re more laid back and relaxed than a lot of the other voices out there.^{[17]XResearch source}
- This can be hard to do if you’re managing a company’s social media page. Just remember, you don’t need to respond to anyone who is acting in bad faith.^{[18]XResearch source}
- If you find yourself having an intense reaction to a comment, just take a step back and breathe. You don’t have to respond to everyone.
- If you’re feeling like social media is taking a toll on you or you aren’t enjoying your time online, take a break.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
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12

Don’t obsess over followers and likes.

The number of “friends” and “likes” you have aren’t the sum of who you are. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be popular online, but you shouldn’t lose sleep over it, either. People tend to conflate their online following with their self-worth, but it doesn’t mean you aren’t valid or likable if you aren’t getting a ton of engagement or compliments online.^{[20]XResearch source} Don’t put too much importance on how others view you online!
- This is especially true if you’re curating a blog or running a website. It can take time to build a following online, so don’t get discouraged if you aren’t seeing your view count explode.
- There are a lot of trolls and insecure people out there in the digital world. If someone sends hate your way, brush it off and don’t worry about it. They’re just trying to get a reaction, so don’t give them the satisfaction.

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How can I make my company's social media more attractive if I want more followers?
Christina Bachelor
Social Media Expert
Christina Bachelor is a Social Media Expert and the Co-Founder and CEO of Bach Enterprises in Los Angeles, California. She specializes in navigating social media landscape, building long-lasting branded partnerships, and producing digital content. Christina holds a BA in Accounting from The University of Florida and an MA in Accounting from The University of Southern California. She has created numerous partnerships with notable brands including Toyota, Lyft, Postmates, EA Games, and Trident. Christina was the Executive Producer of “Dead House” for Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network and the Co-Executive Producer for “Where’s the Money” starring King Bach, Logan Paul, Kat Graham, and Terry Crews. Christina also co-founded the RuJohn Foundation, which is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide the necessary tools for education to rural and inner-city schools throughout Jamaica and the United States.
Christina Bachelor
Social Media Expert
Expert Answer
Authenticity is huge. People often view company profiles like there's a robot sitting on the other side of the screen, so if you show some personality and act like a normal social media user, folks will get on board.
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