Missing Facebook Page reviews usually come down to tab settings, privacy, moderation, policy flags, template choice, or a switch to the new Pages layout.
You came to find out why business feedback isn’t visible where it should be. Let’s sort it quickly. Facebook uses a “Recommendations” system in place of the old stars, and visibility depends on Page setup, the audience chosen by the reviewer, and whether the Reviews tab is active. Below is a fast scan you can run before digging into deeper fixes.
Quick Reasons You Don’t See Reviews
Start with the easy checks. These are the most common culprits when feedback seems to vanish.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Check |
|---|---|---|
| The Reviews tab is missing | Tab disabled or template without Reviews | Page Settings → Templates & Tabs → enable Reviews |
| Some reviews appear, others don’t | Reviewer set audience to Friends or a custom list | Ask for Public audience on the post |
| Ratings replaced by “Recommended” yes/no | Facebook shifted to Recommendations | Look for the Reviews/Recommendations section |
| Nothing new shows after a policy warning | Recommendations suspended | Check Page Quality and appeal if needed |
| Staff can’t locate reviews on mobile | Using personal profile view, not Page view | Switch to the Page and open Professional dashboard |
| Location pages show different feedback | Network with child location pages | Open the exact location Page’s Reviews tab |
| Old layout steps don’t match | New Pages experience enabled | Use the new interface’s left menu for Tabs |
Can’t See Facebook Page Reviews? Common Causes
The Reviews Tab Is Off Or Hidden
Pages use a template and a set of tabs. If Reviews isn’t turned on, the section won’t appear. On desktop, open your Page, go to Settings → Templates & Tabs, and toggle Reviews on. If you don’t see it, click Add a Tab. On the updated layout, open Professional dashboard, then Page access and settings, and find Tabs to manage visibility. This single switch is responsible for many “vanished” cases.
Review Privacy Limits Who Can See It
The person who posts feedback can choose an audience. If they pick Friends, you won’t see their note publicly and it won’t boost your tally. Ask customers to post with Public selected so the text shows on your Reviews section and counts toward the visible total. Meta’s help text confirms reviewers can pick an audience when sharing a recommendation (see the audience chooser).
New Pages Experience Changes The Menu
Many step-by-step guides reference the older layout. If your Page uses the new design, expect different menu names. You’ll access tools through the Professional dashboard and a cleaner left rail. The Reviews area still exists; the path just moved. Meta outlines the updated design and the move from classic Pages (new Pages overview).
Recommendations Replaced Classic Star Ratings
Facebook retired the five-star system in favor of a simpler yes/no prompt with optional text, photos, and tags. People still call them “reviews,” but they now live under Recommendations. If you’re expecting stars and can’t find them, that’s why. The feed item a customer creates can also include media and tags that help searchers scan context.
Recommendations Are Suspended Or Limited
Pages can run into quality issues that pause new feedback. If you see a message about suspension, open Page Quality for details and appeal if a mistake occurred. During a pause, new recommendations won’t appear. Resolve policy issues, then recheck the tab after the review team response. Meta shares guidelines for what can appear in recommended surfaces (recommendation guidelines).
You’re Viewing From The Wrong Identity
Team members often browse Facebook as their personal profile. In that view, Page tools may not load. Switch to the Page identity, then head to the Reviews section. On mobile, use the Page shortcut or the switcher in the profile photo to enter Page mode.
Multiple Locations Create Split Feedback
Brands with separate location Pages will see feedback scoped to each location. A stellar note on Location A won’t show on Location B unless Facebook consolidates via a parent Page. Always open the exact location when checking customer comments.
Fixes: Step-By-Step Checks That Solve Most Cases
1) Confirm The Tab And Template
Open Settings → Templates & Tabs. Pick a template that includes Reviews, or add the tab manually. Drag it higher so it’s easy to find. Save changes, then refresh your Page on desktop and phone to confirm.
2) Ask For Public Audience On New Posts
When you request feedback, include a simple line: “Set audience to Public so it appears on our Page.” That tiny nudge removes the most common cause of missing text.
3) Verify You’re In Page Mode
Use the Page switcher to act as the business. Go to the Reviews section from that view. This avoids confusion from personal-profile browsing.
4) Check Page Quality And Policy Notices
Open Page Quality and Account Status for any notices about misleading content, spam activity, or restricted features. If you see a restriction on recommendations, follow the appeal steps and clean up any flagged posts that might be tripping the system. Keep a short log of changes so you can track when visibility returns.
5) Compare Desktop And Mobile Paths
On desktop, you’ll find Tabs in Settings. On mobile, open Professional dashboard and look for Tabs and tools. If a step doesn’t match a guide you’re reading, you’re likely on the other layout. Check both so the tab isn’t only hidden in one place.
6) Recheck Location Pages And Service Areas
If you operate a network, open each location Page and review its Reviews tab. Consider a pinned post that points visitors to the correct place to read or leave feedback. That cue reduces mis-posts.
Where Reviews Come From And How They Display
Feedback appears in two places: the Reviews tab on your Page and the feed post on the reviewer’s profile or timeline. The tab aggregates the text that’s set to Public. The feed post may carry photos and tags for context.
Sorting, Filters, And Missing Text
Visitors can sort or filter, which can hide older entries. If a customer insists they posted, ask for a direct link to the feed item so you can confirm the audience setting and content.
Moderation And Reporting
You can report feedback that breaks platform rules. Don’t mass-report honest complaints; respond with context and offer a fix. Fast, polite replies earn more trust than a perfect score. When you fix an issue raised in a comment, add a short update under the same thread. That quick closure helps readers see the outcome and lowers repeat complaints from customers who skim your Page before visiting today.
Deep-Dive Troubleshooting Table
Work through this checklist when the basics don’t fix it.
| Scenario | What To Check | Action |
|---|---|---|
| You switched to the new Pages layout | Menu labels changed | Use Professional dashboard; find Tabs there |
| Reviewer says they posted, yet nothing shows | Audience on their post | Ask them to set Public and re-share |
| Recent warning about policy compliance | Page Quality panel | Resolve violations; submit appeal; wait for review |
| Reviews existed but disappeared overnight | Tab status, template swap, location switch | Re-enable Reviews; confirm you’re on the right Page |
| Only staff can’t see the tab | Role and access | Grant Facebook access with full permissions |
| Spam flooded the section | Recent posts and links | Report spam, hide repeat offenders, set moderation rules |
| Third-party widgets show fewer items | Widget source and filters | Refresh tokens; remove strict filters like “4-star only” |
Pro Tips That Keep Your Feedback Visible
Use A Short, Repeatable Ask
Add a line to receipts and follow-ups: “Share a quick recommendation on our Page—please post with the audience set to Public.” Keep the link to your Reviews tab handy so customers land in the right spot.
Respond With Care, Not Heat
Reply to praise with thanks and a small detail about the visit. For complaints, acknowledge the issue, offer a path to fix, and move to private messages only when needed. Readers scan tone as much as content.
Watch The Tab After Big Edits
Changing templates, merging Pages, or adding locations can shuffle tabs. Reopen Settings and confirm Reviews still sits near the top of your list. If you use outside tools, refresh any tokens so your website widgets match what Facebook shows.
Document Your Paths
Keep a one-pager with desktop and mobile steps for your layout. Include screenshots so new teammates can match what they see.
What You’ll See When Everything Works
On desktop, the Reviews tab sits in the left menu. The header shows your recommend score and a list of recent entries. Each item includes the reviewer’s name, their yes/no choice, text, and any photos. On mobile, the entry point appears under the header buttons; visitors can sort by most recent or most helpful.
If you open a single item, you’ll land on the reviewer’s post. That post carries its own audience selector. When the audience is Public, your Page reflects the change almost immediately.
When You Still Don’t See What You Expect
First, capture screenshots and URLs. Then check tab status, audience, identity, policy, and layout—exactly in that order. If you suspect a glitch, retest on another device or browser.
Helpful Official References
Reviewers can choose an audience on the post they create, which affects visibility (Meta help on posting a recommendation). If your Page uses the updated design, menu labels and paths change, though the feature remains (new Pages overview).
Meta also shares guidance for content that can appear in recommended surfaces, which informs enforcement and suspensions (recommendation guidelines).