Table of contents

What is the Facebook Like button and why use it?Understanding the types of Facebook Like buttonsMethod 1: Add the Facebook Like button manually using codeMethod 2: Use a plugin to add the Like button easilyMethod 3: Use a page builder with social button widgetsWhere should you display the Facebook Like button?Troubleshooting Facebook Like button issuesBonusNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Build → Facebook Like

How to add a Facebook Like button in WordPress

Want more likes, shares, and social visibility for your WordPress site? Adding a Facebook Like button is one of the easiest ways to boost engagement—without needing users to leave your website. Whether you’re a blogger, a business owner, or running an Ecommerce store, a well-placed Like button can turn casual visitors into brand advocates.

Let’s walk through the best ways to add a Facebook Like button to your WordPress site—using code, plugins, or page builders.

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What is the Facebook Like button and why use it?

The Facebook Like button lets visitors interact with your content or brand directly from your site. A single click adds a Like to their Facebook profile and may appear in their friends’ feeds, giving your content organic visibility.

Adding one to your site helps:

Encourage social proof and trust
Increase visibility on Facebook without ad spend
Drive traffic to your content from users’ networks

You can use a Like button for a specific URL (like a blog post or product) or for your Facebook Page.

Understanding the types of Facebook Like buttons

Before adding anything, it helps to know the different formats available:

Standard Like button: Shows a basic thumbs-up button.
Like + Share combo: Adds a Share button next to the Like for more reach.
Layout styles: Button count (shows number of likes), box count (above the button), or just the button itself.
Display locations: Inside post content, floating sidebars, widget areas, or templates like headers and footers.

Choose based on what looks best for your site and where your traffic comes from.

Method 1: Add the Facebook Like button manually using code

This method gives you full control over placement and customization. You’ll use Facebook’s official Like button generator and paste the code into your site.

Step 1: Get the Facebook Like button code

Visit the Meta for Developers Like Button Configurator
Enter the URL you want users to Like (your homepage, a blog post, etc.)
Customize the layout, size, and whether to include the Share button
Copy the generated HTML code

Step 2: Add the code to WordPress

You can place the code almost anywhere:

Inside a post or page: Use the Custom HTML block in the WordPress editor
In a widget area: Go to Appearance → Widgets, add a Custom HTML widget, and paste your code
In a theme template: For permanent placement, edit a child theme’s template file (e.g. single.php, page.php, or footer.php) and paste in the code

Optional: Load the Facebook SDK

Some Like button styles require the Facebook JavaScript SDK. To include it:

Add the SDK code from the Like button configurator
Paste it into your site’s <head> section or before the </body> tag
The easiest way to do this is with a plugin like Insert Headers and Footers

Avoid loading the SDK multiple times—some themes or plugins may already include it.

Method 2: Use a plugin to add the Like button easily

Not comfortable editing code? Plugins make it easy to add Like buttons without writing a line.

Best plugins to add Facebook Like buttons

Here are top-rated plugins that support Facebook Like functionality:

AddToAny Share Buttons – Lightweight, supports Like and Share, and integrates with nearly every theme
Social Media Share Buttons & Social Sharing Icons – Includes Facebook Like, Follow, Share, and more
WP Social Ninja – Advanced social integrations with a free tier and premium upgrade
Smash Balloon Social Post Feed – Focuses on Facebook feed display but supports Like/Follow buttons too

How to install and set up a Like button plugin

Go to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress dashboard
Search for your preferred plugin and click Install then Activate
Use the plugin settings to customize button size, style, and placement
Many plugins offer widget or shortcode support for manual placement

Most plugins don’t require the Facebook SDK, which helps keep things lightweight.

Method 3: Use a page builder with social button widgets

If you’re already using a page builder like Elementor, adding a Like button is fast and flexible.

Adding a Facebook Like button with Elementor

Open the page in Elementor
Drag the Social Buttons or Facebook Button widget into your layout
Customize size, layout, and alignment
Set the button URL to the page or post itself

Other page builder options

Gutenberg: Use block plugins to get social button blocks
WPBakery: Social elements often included in premium themes
Beaver Builder: Use third-party social plugins or custom HTML modules

Where should you display the Facebook Like button?

Strategic placement is key. Here are common locations that perform well:

Below blog posts: Catch readers who liked the content
Top of articles: Good for audiences that trust your brand
Sidebar widget: Stays visible as users scroll
Floating bar: Keeps the button in view at all times
Footer: Adds consistency across all pages

Use Google Analytics or heatmaps to test what works best for your audience.

Troubleshooting Facebook Like button issues

If the button doesn’t show up or work properly, here are quick fixes:

Nothing displays: Make sure the Facebook SDK is loaded once, and the Like button code is complete
Wrong URL: Use <?php the_permalink(); ?> in templates to dynamically load post URLs
SDK conflicts: Disable other plugins one by one to test for double-loading
Caching issues: Clear your browser and site cache after making changes

Bonus: How to track Facebook Likes with analytics

Want to measure how your Like button is performing?

Meta Pixel: Add it to your site to track Facebook Likes and conversions
Facebook Insights: Monitor Page Likes and post engagement
Google Tag Manager: Track button clicks by triggering events on Like button elements

Tracking helps you understand where to place the button and what kind of content earns the most engagement.

Getting started with Facebook Like buttons in WordPress

Adding a Facebook Like button to WordPress is one of the simplest ways to grow your brand’s reach and build social proof. Whether you use a plugin, page builder, or paste the code yourself, the benefits are worth it.

If you’re new to the process, start with a plugin and test it on a few posts or pages. Then consider more advanced placements or analytics tracking to fine-tune your strategy.

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