The short version
- Most local business posts work best at 1 to 3 short sentences with a photo.
- Facebook cuts off long posts behind a "See more" link, so put the most important line first.
- Save longer posts for stories: a hire, a milestone, a job that went sideways and ended well.
- There's no magic number. A post is the right length when every sentence earns its spot.
You sit down to write a post and freeze. Is a single line too thin? Is a paragraph too much? The ideal Facebook post length is one of those questions with a short answer and a few good exceptions.
Here's the rule of thumb, the same post written 3 ways, and a quick table so you can pick a length and move on.
What is the ideal Facebook post length?
For most local business posts, 1 to 3 short sentences plus a photo. That's enough room to say what it is, why it matters this week and what to do next. For the full recipe, see how to write a Facebook post for your business.
There isn't one number that fits every business. A bakery announcing today's special and a plumber telling a job story need different amounts of room. Match the length to the job the post is doing.
What the "See more" cut-off means for your posts
When a post is long, Facebook shows the first part and hides the rest behind "See more." Where it cuts depends on the phone, the screen and whether your post has a photo, so you can't count on a fixed spot.
So write as if only the first line or two will be read. Put the news, the offer or the question up top. Details, hours and the full story can sit below the cut for the people who care.
Put above the cut
- What's happening and when
- Your town or the street name
- The one thing you want the reader to do
Leave for below the cut
- A long thank-you to every person involved
- Fine print and extra details
- The back story, unless it's the hook
The same post at 3 different lengths
Here's one announcement written short, medium and long. Same news, different amount of room. Read all 3 and notice which one you'd stop for on your phone.
Short (one line)
Fresh cinnamon rolls are out of the oven in [town]. Come grab one before 10.
Photo: A tray of rolls still steaming.
Medium (2 or 3 sentences)
Cinnamon roll Saturday is back at [business]. We bake them fresh starting at 6 a.m. and when they're gone, they're gone. Call ahead at [phone] if you want a box held.
Photo: A box of rolls on the counter.
Long (a short story)
Our cinnamon roll recipe came from [name]'s grandmother, who made them every Saturday in [town] for 40 years. We changed almost nothing. Same butter, same long rise, same smell that fills the whole block by 7 a.m. Saturday rolls are back at [business] starting this week. Call ahead at [phone] and we'll hold a box.
Photo: The baker holding the recipe card.
The short one is fine on a busy week. The medium one is the best default. The long one works because it's a story, not because it's long. For the last line of a post, see Facebook call to action examples.
Which length fits which kind of post
| Kind of post | Good length | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Special or deal | 1 to 2 sentences | People want the what, when and price fast. |
| Open or closed notice | 1 sentence | It's a quick fact. Don't dress it up. |
| Tip or how-to | 2 to 4 sentences | One problem and one fix is plenty. |
| Meet the crew | 3 to 5 sentences | A little story makes it feel personal. |
| Big announcement | 3 to 5 sentences | Give the reason, then the date, then the ask. |
| Story or milestone | Longer is fine | Readers will stay if the first line hooks them. |
If you're not sure what kinds of posts to rotate, see what to post on your business Facebook Page.
How to tighten a post that runs long
Find the one point
Ask what you want the reader to know or do. Write that as the first line.
Cut the warm-up
Delete "We're so excited to announce" and start with the announcement. It reads faster and sounds more like you.
Swap long words for short ones
Say "use" instead of "utilize" and "help" instead of "assist." Plain words are quicker to read on a phone.
End with one ask
Call, message, come in or tag a friend. Pick one so the reader isn't left guessing.
Length isn't the whole story
A perfect-length post still won't help if nobody's around to read it. How often you post and when matter too. Our guides on how often a business should post on Facebook and the best time to post on Facebook for a local business cover both.
And if you're wondering whether to add tags at the end, read do hashtags work on Facebook. Spoiler: 1 or 2, tops.
