Many hotel owners see Facebook as a vital marketing channel for reach, engagement, and social proof. With travelers researching properties online before booking, a hotel’s social media presence can shape first impressions. It’s tempting to buy likes to make your page look more popular quickly. But is it safe? Does it actually deliver real value for hotels?
In this article, we explore the advantages and risks of purchasing Facebook likes, especially within the hospitality industry. We’ll also look at smarter, sustainable strategies to grow your Facebook page with genuine engagement that translates into bookings.
What Does It Mean to Buy Facebook Likes?
When you “buy likes,” you pay a service to add likes to your Facebook page or posts, often through fake accounts, bots, or click farms. These likes may appear instantly, but they often carry low engagement and may even violate Facebook’s rules.
Some providers advertise “real, high-retention” likes, but even those are risky. Many accounts eventually disappear or get removed by Facebook, making your like count unstable. Deliveredsocial notes that even testing small packages should be done carefully, as retention rates are often unpredictable.
Advantages of Buying Facebook Likes
Buying likes can offer some short-term benefits, particularly for hotels:
Instant social proof
A page with more likes looks more credible to potential guests, especially when they compare hotels with similar offerings.Perceived reach and authority
High like counts may influence new visitors to trust your hotel, believing others already endorse it.Kickstart for new pages
If your hotel’s Facebook presence is new or small, purchased likes may give a visibility boost while you ramp up organic growth.Psychological boost for bookings
A high like count can subtly persuade users who check your social profiles, especially when selecting between multiple hotel options.
However, these advantages come with serious risks.
Major Disadvantages & Risks
Risk | Explanation | Why It Matters |
Low or no engagement | Bought likes rarely interact (comments, shares). They inflate numbers without real audience. | Facebook’s algorithm may penalize your future content for low engagement. |
Brand reputation damage | Savvy users may sense inflated or fake likes, casting doubt on your authenticity. | Trust is critical for hospitality brands—guests prefer credibility. |
Violation of platform policies | Facebook forbids fake accounts and manipulative behavior. | Your page or account may be penalized or disabled. |
Wasted ad spend | If you run ads using inflated metrics, you pay to engage fake accounts, not real potential guests. | Poor ROI on ad budget. |
Drop in like count over time | Many purchased likes disappear or are removed by Facebook. | Your metrics become unstable and unpredictable. |
Misleading analytics | Fake likes distort insights and misdirect strategy. | You cannot accurately understand real audience behavior. |
Special Considerations for Hotels
Hotels face unique challenges when it comes to social media credibility:
Guest validation: Travelers often check social profiles before booking. A page with many likes but little activity raises red flags.
Local engagement: Hotels benefit more from authentic, region-specific engagement, fake likes don’t help build relationships with real guests.
Tourism compliance: In some regions, misleading digital practices may attract regulatory attention.
Ethical trust: The hospitality industry thrives on trust, making authenticity more valuable than inflated vanity metrics.
Smarter Alternatives to Buying Likes
Instead of taking shortcuts, hotels can grow their social presence more effectively by:
Running targeted ads: Use Facebook’s advanced targeting to reach travelers interested in your city, region, or niche (e.g., honeymooners, business travelers).
Promoting authentic content: Share guest experiences, hotel amenities, local attractions, or behind-the-scenes stories to boost genuine engagement.
Partnering with influencers: Local influencers or travel bloggers can drive awareness with real audiences.
Using interactive content: Polls, quizzes, and contests encourage real engagement and shares.
Encouraging likes in guest touchpoints: Add page follow requests to booking confirmations, in-room materials, or check-out interactions.
Engaging consistently: Responding to reviews, comments, and DMs builds long-term loyalty and trust.
Measuring the right metrics: Track bookings, inquiries, and website traffic instead of focusing only on vanity metrics like page likes.
Case Studies & Real Outcomes
A resort that purchased 10,000 likes saw almost no increase in bookings but received platform warnings for suspicious activity.
A boutique hotel used Facebook ads and influencer partnerships to gain 2,000 genuine likes within two weeks, resulting in more direct booking inquiries.
A Bali-based hotel partnered with a local travel blogger who showcased their property, driving real followers and referral traffic without any fake engagement.
These examples show that authentic growth may take more effort, but it produces measurable results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Facebook Likes for Hotels
1. Is buying Facebook likes safe for hotels?
Not really. While it may boost numbers temporarily, it carries risks such as low engagement, policy violations, and even account penalties from Facebook.
2. Do purchased Facebook likes help hotels get more bookings?
No. Bought likes are usually from fake or inactive accounts, so they rarely lead to genuine engagement or bookings. Real guests look for credibility, not inflated numbers.
3. Can Facebook detect fake likes?
Yes. Facebook actively removes fake accounts and suspicious activity. If your hotel page relies on purchased likes, you may see sudden drops in numbers.
4. What is a better alternative to buying Facebook likes?
Running targeted ad campaigns, sharing high-quality content, collaborating with local influencers, and encouraging guests to follow your page are safer and more effective ways to grow.
The Smart Way Forward for Hotels on Facebook
Buying Facebook likes may give hotels a temporary numbers boost, but the risks such as policy violations, wasted ad spend, damaged reputation, and weak engagement far outweigh the benefits. What looks like growth on the surface rarely translates into bookings or long-term success.
The stronger and more reliable path is investing in authentic growth through targeted advertising, creative storytelling, and genuine audience interaction. By focusing on real engagement, your hotel builds trust, enhances credibility, and creates lasting connections with travelers who are more likely to book.
At Juicebox, we believe in authentic growth and engagement. Our digital marketing experts can help you develop a robust social media strategy that focuses on organic reach, genuine audience connection, and measurable results. We are committed to helping your hotel thrive in the digital landscape. Contact Juicebox today to explore our comprehensive range of social media management services and take your hotel's online presence to new heights.
