Social media is opening whole new avenues for companies to stay connected with their customers and market their products.
According to a recent study by ComScore users who "like" a page are more likely to make a purchase from that retailer than from a user with no affiliation.
In addition, using Nielsen Brand effect studies, Facebook has found that over the past two years, consumers are 65 per cent more likely to remember social ads compared to non-social advertising, says CNBC.
Brands also gain exposure to users who are "friends of fans", those who are connected with users that "like" pages and will see actions of those users show up on their Facebook news feeds, it says.
Click NEXT to see 15 most liked brands in the world, according to CNBC.
15 most 'liked' brands in the world
1. Coca-Cola
Number of "likes": 36.29 million
People talking about this: 276,996
The most "liked" brand on Facebook goes to one of the most recognizable brands on the planet, Coca-Cola.
The company directly encourages users to "like" its page, using a call to action at the top of the page pointing directly to the "like" button. The company's page is moderated and it has posted "House Rules" that look to limit any offensive material, according to CNBC.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
2. Walt Disney
Number of "likes": 29.63 million
People talking about this: 192,322
Although Walt Disney has a ubiquitous presence on Facebook, with 27 brand pages in total, none of the company's pages are more "liked" than its main page, according to CNBC.
Not only does the page draw a large number of fans, but it also keeps them engaged, through posts of Disney facts, screenshots of films, and cartoons, videos, and quotes from Disney classics, it says.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
3. MTV
Number of "likes": 29.30 million
People talking about this: 230,088
According to Facebook, MTV keeps its audience engaged by posting exclusive sneak peeks of trailers and clips from upcoming MTV shows and films, says CNBC.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
4. Starbucks Coffee
Number of "likes": 26.38 million
People talking about this: 240,571
Coming in at fourth on the list of most "liked" brands is Starbucks, the coffeehouse chain. The company has a vibrant and engaged Facebook community.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
5. Red Bull
Number of "likes": 23.57 million
People talking about this: 156,025
Red Bull, the most popular energy drink in the world by volume, is also the most popular energy drink on Facebook, drawing in more than 23 million fans through its brand page, says CNBC.
The page makes no secret of its desire to be "liked," when on the intro page a graphic points directly to the page's "like" button, enticing users to connect with the brand, it says.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
15 most 'liked' brands in the world
7. Victoria's Secret
Number of "likes": 15.82 million
People talking about this: 177,475
The highly popular Victoria's Secret brand doesn't merely draw crowds to its fashion shows, it has had huge success on Facebook, according to CNBC.
In early December, the company began a daily offer to give away 100,000 gift cards, valued at $10, $50, $100, or $500, exclusive to its Facebook fans, it says.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
8. Monster Energy
Number of "likes": 12.76 million
People talking about this: 67,738
Although brands from many larger companies easily make it onto the list, one that might be surprising is Monster Energy, owned by Monster Beverage Co, according to CNBC.
The company's page features a wide range of content, from high-octane videos of extreme athletes to a "Monster Girl Search" that makes use of social networking to discover models for the company's upcoming 2012 calendar, it says.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
9. McDonald's
Number of '"likes": 11.79 million
People talking about this: 115,289
McDonald's is highlighted as a good example of how brands can engage with customers via Facebook, on top of the fast-food giant's 11.8 million fans, according to CNBC.
McDonald's currently highlights a "Quest for the Golden McRib" game on its page, offering a unique opportunity for fans to engage socially with an already-popular McDonald's menu item, it says.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
10. The National Basketball Association
Number of "likes": 10.76 million
People talking about this: 125,506
The National Basketball Association has had a rocky 2011, with a lockout threatening the season. This didn't stop the organization from being the most "liked" sports brand in the world, however, beating out other sports such as football, baseball and hockey, according to CNBC.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
11. Wal-Mart Stores
Number of "likes": 10.65 million
People talking about this: 153,264
One of the world's largest companies, Wal-Mart Stores is also one of the most "liked" on Facebook. The company's page offers a range of activities, including a monthly "Nice Save! Challenge" on its front page, according to CNBC.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
12. Zara
Number of "likes": 10.61 million
People talking about this: 84,083
Zara, the Spanish clothing and accessories retailer, has successfully managed its Facebook presence and generated more than 10.6 million fans, according to CNBC.
Zara's page features several tabs that include "The Mood," "This Week," "Lookbook," "Mobile," and "Join Fashion," offering fans galleries of the company's styles, the ability to download the company's iPod and iPad app, and external links to non-Facebook Zara sites, it says.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
13. Pixar
Number of "likes": 10.28 million
People talking about this: 58,319
Walt Disney's Pixar, the highly successful film studio behind hits such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Up, translated its success with viewers to the sphere of social networking, according to CNBC.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
14. Burberry
Number of "likes": 9.87 million
People talking about this: 137,853
Burberry, the United Kingdom-based luxury fashion house, is another highly liked and highly engaging brand, according to CNBC.
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15 most 'liked' brands in the world
15. Levi's
Number of "likes": 9.38 million
People talking about this: 150,105
Levi's is the iconic jeans brand of Levi Strauss and Company, and with its brand page drawing nearly 9.3 million Facebook "likes," it comes in as the 15th most liked brand page on the site, according to CNBC.
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