Why Restaurant Facebook Posts Get Ignored

(And Some Ideas to Make Them Better)

The Harsh Truth About Facebook Groups

Alright, I’ll admit it—when I’m in Facebook groups, I usually scroll right past the restaurant ads. How about you?

I think it’s pretty common. But here’s the thing: Every day, I see restaurant owners posting the same “Try our new special!” or “Come eat with us!” posts and wondering why they’re not getting any attention. I’ve been guilty of this too.

So, what’s going on? I’ve started to think it’s because—let’s be honest—nobody joins Facebook groups to look at ads. People join to connect, ask questions, or get recommendations. But when the group turns into a flood of promotional posts, people stop paying attention.

Why This Keeps Happening (And Why It Might Be Hurting Your Marketing)

Here’s what I think is happening: Every restaurant in a group wants the same thing—more customers. Posting a flyer seems like the quickest way to get them, right? But it’s not working as expected.

Why? Well, it’s because:

• ❌ People don’t log into Facebook to look at ads.
• ❌ Most of us scroll past posts that feel like ads.
• ❌ Facebook sees low engagement and hides the post, making it less likely anyone will see it.

In the end, your post ends up reaching nobody, and the group feels less like a community and more like a spam box. I’ve definitely seen it happen.

So, What Might Help? (Some Ideas I’ve Been Experimenting With)

Here’s the thing: If we want people to notice our restaurant, I think we need to stop treating Facebook groups like billboards and start treating them like... well, groups. I’m still figuring this out, but here’s what I’ve been learning:

1. Stop Posting Ads—Start Posting Conversations

Instead of posting a flyer that probably won’t get much attention, try starting a conversation:

❌ Bad post: “Come try our new burger special!”
✅ Better post: “We’ve been testing new burger styles—thin and crispy vs. thick and juicy. Which one do you prefer?”

From what I’ve seen, people scroll past ads, but they engage with conversations. When they engage, Facebook tends to boost your post more. At least, that’s been my experience so far!

2. Comment More Than You Post

Here’s a small change I’ve been trying: the more you comment in a group, the more people notice you. It’s not a huge revelation, but it’s worked for me!

💬 Jump into discussions.
💬 Answer questions.
💬 Be helpful.

It’s amazing how much more attention I’ve gotten when I’ve taken the time to contribute to conversations. So when I do post about my restaurant, people are more likely to care.

3. Share Stories, Not Just Promotions

I’ve realized that stories tend to stop people from scrolling. And I don’t mean fancy, polished ones—just real stories:

❌ Bad post: “Now serving brunch every Saturday!”
✅ Better post: “We weren’t sure if brunch would work, but last weekend we were packed by 10 AM! What’s your favorite brunch order?”

From my experience, stories spark more engagement. And more engagement usually means more visibility. More visibility can lead to more customers. It’s a simple process, but I’ve seen it make a difference.

4. Be the Person People Want to Hear From

Here’s another thought: If you want people to notice your posts, try being the person others want to hear from.

🔥 Help a fellow restaurant owner.
🔥 Answer a question before talking about your business.
🔥 Give value before expecting anything in return.

I’ve found that when you do this, people start seeing you as a helpful, trustworthy person in the group—not just someone posting ads.

The Bottom Line: This Is YOUR Group—Make It Better

Facebook groups don’t have to be a wasteland of ignored ads. If we all shift our approach, they can become a place where restaurant owners learn from each other, share ideas, and grow.

And honestly, I think this change comes from us—the people posting in these groups. It’s not just about waiting for admins to make it better. It’s about how we show up.

Before you post that flyer again, maybe take a second to ask yourself:

• 💡 Can I start a conversation instead of posting an ad?
• 💡 Can I add value to the group before expecting attention?
• 💡 Would I actually read this post if someone else wrote it?

I’m still figuring all of this out, but I think if we all start making these small changes, Facebook groups could be a lot more engaging for everyone. And instead of being ignored, our restaurants could be the ones people are excited to talk about. 🙌

Let’s make it happen together. What’s one post you’ve found gets good engagement? I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🚀