Facebook Algorithm Words to Avoid: 127+ Words That Kill Your Reach in 2025
TL;DR - Quick Answer
6 min readComprehensive guide with practical insights you can apply today. Focus on the key principles for immediate impact.
Critical Alert: Words That Kill Your Reach
⚠️ WARNING: Using these words can reduce your post reach by up to 80%. Facebook's algorithm actively suppresses posts containing spam triggers, clickbait phrases, and engagement bait.
Words to Avoid: Complete Categories
Engagement Bait Words
Never Use: • "Like if you..." • "Share if you agree" • "Comment with..." • "Tag someone who..." • "Vote with reactions" • "1 like = 1 prayer" • "Type YES if..." • "React if you..."
Use Instead: • "What do you think about..." • "Have you experienced..." • "What's your opinion on..." • "Tell us about..." • "We'd love to hear..." • "Share your thoughts" • "What works for you?" • "Your experience?"
Clickbait Phrases
Never Use: • "You won't believe..." • "This will shock you" • "Doctors hate this" • "One weird trick" • "What happened next..." • "Number 5 will amaze you" • "This changes everything" • "Breaking news" • "Going viral"
Use Instead: • "Here's what we learned" • "New research shows" • "Expert tips for" • "Proven method" • "Step-by-step guide" • "5 ways to improve" • "Important update" • "Latest announcement" • "Popular right now"
Spam Trigger Words
Never Use: • "FREE" (in all caps) • "Buy now" • "Limited time" • "Act now" • "Click here" • "Link in comments" • "DM for price" • "$$$ or $$$$$" • "100% guaranteed" • "No obligation"
Use Instead: • "Complimentary" • "Available today" • "Special offer" • "Get started" • "Learn more" • "Details below" • "Message us" • "Investment" • "Results-driven" • "Risk-free trial"
Misleading Content Words
Never Use: • "Fake news" • "Conspiracy" • "Censored" • "They don't want you to know" • "Banned" • "Secret revealed" • "Truth about" • "Exposed"
Use Instead: • "Research findings" • "Analysis" • "Overlooked" • "Lesser-known facts" • "Not available" • "Key insights" • "Facts about" • "Revealed data"
Contest & Giveaway Red Flags
Never Use: • "Share to win" • "Tag to enter" • "Like our page to qualify" • "Winners announced" • "Contest" • "Sweepstakes" • "Raffle"
Use Instead: • "Celebration" • "Special event" • "Community appreciation" • "Selected participants" • "Program" • "Opportunity" • "Selection process"
How Facebook's Algorithm Detects These Words
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Natural Language Processing AI analyzes context, not just keywords
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Pattern Recognition Identifies spam patterns across languages
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User Behavior Signals Tracks if users hide, report, or quickly leave
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Historical Performance Learns from millions of similar posts
Impact on Your Reach
Penalty Levels
🟡 Minor (1-2 words): 20-30% reach reduction
🟠 Moderate (3-5 words): 40-60% reach reduction
🔴 Severe (6+ words): 70-95% reach reduction
How to Reset Your Algorithm Score
Week 1-2: Clean Content Only
Post high-quality content without any trigger words. Focus on valuable, original content.
Week 3-4: Build Organic Engagement
Encourage natural conversations. Reply to every comment within 1 hour.
Week 5-6: Increase Frequency
Post 4-5 times per week with consistent quality. Use Facebook's native features.
Week 7-8: Monitor Recovery
Track reach improvements. Continue avoiding all trigger words.
Industry-Specific Alternatives
E-commerce
❌ "Buy now" → ✅ "Shop the collection" ❌ "Limited stock" → ✅ "Currently available" ❌ "Discount" → ✅ "Special pricing" ❌ "Sale" → ✅ "Event"
Services
❌ "Free consultation" → ✅ "Complimentary session" ❌ "Sign up" → ✅ "Join us" ❌ "Limited spots" → ✅ "Spaces available" ❌ "Book now" → ✅ "Schedule today"
Content Creators
❌ "Subscribe" → ✅ "Follow along" ❌ "New video" → ✅ "Latest content" ❌ "Don't miss" → ✅ "Available now" ❌ "Share this" → ✅ "Pass it on"
Non-Profits
❌ "Donate now" → ✅ "Support our cause" ❌ "Urgent" → ✅ "Time-sensitive" ❌ "Help us" → ✅ "Join our mission" ❌ "Share to spread" → ✅ "Help raise awareness"
Best Practices for Clean Posts
- Write naturally - If it sounds like an ad, rewrite it
- Focus on value - What does your audience gain?
- Use questions - Start conversations, don't demand actions
- Tell stories - Narratives beat promotional language
- Be authentic - Genuine posts always perform better
- Use native features - Facebook Live, Stories, Reels
Pro Tips from Facebook Marketing Experts
💡 Tip 1: Test with Creator Studio Use Facebook Creator Studio's quality check before posting
💡 Tip 2: Monitor Page Quality Check Settings → Page Quality weekly for violations
💡 Tip 3: Use Facebook's Text Overlay Tool Keep text in images under 20% for better reach
💡 Tip 4: Leverage User-Generated Content UGC naturally avoids promotional language
Remember This
Facebook's algorithm prioritizes meaningful social interactions. Every word that sounds promotional, manipulative, or spammy works against you.
Golden Rule: Write like you're talking to a friend, not selling to a customer. If you wouldn't say it in person, don't post it on Facebook.
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