Social Media article brought to you by the team at Net Branding NZ
Social Networking for businesses on sites such as Facebook is here to stay and yet many businesses do not have a clear understanding of the Facebook rules and guidelines. Facebook has specific rules you must adhere to when creating offers,. This detail is found within their page guidelines.
For your ease of use, please find below some of the rules to be used when setting up a Facebook offer for your business.
1. Don’t break the Rules.
Facebook: “You are responsible for ensuring that your offer complies with these terms and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Offers are subject to many regulations (such as alcohol discounts and offers marketed to minors) and if you are not certain that your offer complies with applicable law, consult with an expert.”
This rule sounds basic but consider those Facebook pages with operations in multiple countries and governed by differing legislation. It pays to ensure you are in compliance with the laws of that country.
2. Disclose Restrictions
Facebook: “If there are any restrictions on your offer (such as expiration date or limitations on redemption), you must disclose those restrictions to users in the terms and conditions section of the offer.”
You need to mention the restrictions on the offer. Is your offer is only available to those of a certain age, is limited to one per person, or is only valid until a certain date. This restriction has to be disclosed.
3. If you Like my Post….
You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.
4. You are Responsible for Fraud
Facebook: “You are solely responsible for improper redemption, fraud or other issues that arise from the distribution and/or redemption of your offer.”
This is basically a disclaimer from Facebook. We are not responsible. It is your business’s responsibility to monitor whether or not redemption of any coupons or offer is fraudulent.
5. No Gift Voucher | Gift Card | Gift Certificate
Facebook: “You must not use Facebook’s offer creator to offer the equivalent of a gift card, gift certificate or stored value card.”
You are not allowed to promote an offer as if it’s a Gift Certificate or Gift Card. For example, you cannot create an offer that is $100 off anything in store. An offer cannot be used in place of cash.
6. You Communicate with the Merchants
Facebook: “If your offer may be redeemed at a merchant not operated by you, it is your sole responsibility to communicate with the participating merchant.”
E.g if your offer is for a pair of shoes that has to be redeemed at the shoe shop. It is your sole responsibility to communicate with that particular Merchamt |Store | Business.
These rules as per Facebook Rules and Guidelines as at 4 February 2012 and explained by the Net Branding Social Media Team. We are providers of affordable, integrated and comprehensive social media solutions.
[button link=”https://netbranding.co.nz/contact-us/” size=”medium” variation=”deepblue” align=”center”]Contact Net Branding[/button]
