I’ve recently noticed a few groups and pages within Facebook running competitons that do not adhere to Facebook’s policies and procedures so thought it an opportune time to share these policies with you.

What you are NOT able to do when running a competition on Facebook. Please find below some NOT to do for Page and Group administrators.

  • Run any sort of promotion, competition, sweepstakes  on your Facebook page using Facebook’s features and functionality – example please  ‘like this update’  or  ‘share this photo’  or  ‘upload your photo to our page’  or ‘add a comment’ or ‘tell me why you should win this product or service’.
  • Hold Facebook responsible.   You should include a disclaimer that releases Facebook of any responsibility – example ‘This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook”.
  • You must also disclose who the entrant of the sweepstake or competition is giving their personal information to. The usual wording is “Participants are providing information to [your company name and the name of any other companies who see entrants information] and not to Facebook.
  • Use any Facebook features or functionality as part of the promotion or participation other than liking your page, checking in or connecting to your app.
  • Use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism –  example  the process of “liking ” your page or” checking in”  or “commenting” cannot automatically register or enter the person in your promotion. Essentially a condition of entry can be to like your page but the fan must then complete their entry on your Facebook app or custom page / tab.
  • Use the Like button as a way of voting (example most likes  of the photograph wins are not okay).
  • Notify winners through Facebook –example don’t use Facebook message, chat or posting on the winner’s page, your page or another company’s page to notify winners.
These rules apply when promoting your promotion as well.   So when you advertise (example Facebook adverts) or reference a promotion (example in a Wall post) you need to follow the rules.  
These types of promotions are therefore NOT OK (these are often called Wall Promotions) because you’re using Facebook features and functionality to run the promotion:
  • Share this [update / photo / video etc] to be in to win…
  • Upload a photo / video …
  • Every 25th new fan wins…
  • Add a comment …
  • Invite your friends to like our page …
  • Answer this question …
  • Photo with the most likes wins …

For any information on your Social Media requirements please contact the team at Net Branding