XF 2.1 Facebook like button is gone after upgrading from 1.5 to 2.1

[JackieChun]

I see that the social widget in the sidebar has been redone in 2.1 and no longer allows visitors to "like" neither the forum's URL nor the Facebook page. I'm sure there was rational thinking behind this decision, but it pretty much breaks the way many site owners cross-promote their site on social networks.

We used to use that little like button in the sidebar to rack up likes for the forum's Facebook page and the forum's URL (which Google uses a ranking signal).

The share button has its place but is nowhere as useful. Most people who are willing to give you a "like" (especially when nudged) will still NOT do full-blown post about a forum on their Facebook page. And who needs that post anyway? What you need is to continue to gain followers by gaining page likes, something which is not possible anymore.

Please consider re-adding this.

 

[Chris D]

It won't be coming back from us.

The social plugins from various vendors are widely criticised for the amount of tracking they do, along with the additional time they add to loading speeds etc.

You would be able to add it back yourself if so desired but you would have to add the code yourself. The code for this and many of their other social plugins is available on their site:

Like Button - Social Plugins - Documentation - Meta for Developers

developers.facebook.com

 

[JackieChun]

So make a blank widget and add the javascript?