New Rules for Facebook Contests

Until recently, Page admins had to run their contests and sweepstakes through third-party apps and using Facebook features to encourage users to participate in promotions was prohibited. But from now on, if a small business wants to launch a contest based on the number of likes a post receives, it can do so directly on its Page, without requiring a third-party app.

Promotions may be administered on Page Timelines and in apps on Facebook, which means that you can:

• Collect entries by having users post on the Page or comment/like a Page post
• Collect entries by having users message the Page
• Utilize Likes as a voting mechanism

Note: Businesses still can´t administer promotions on personal Timelines (for example: “share on your Timeline to enter” or “share on your friend’s Timeline to get additional entries” is not permitted).

Another update in the Page terms prohibits Pages from tagging or encouraging people to tag themselves in content that they are not actually depicted in. For example, you shouldn´t ask people people tag themselves in pictures of a new product in exchange for a chance to win a prize.

What is considered a promotion on Facebook?

• Entry/ registration
• Element of chance
• Giveaway or prize

Why is Facebook Doing This?

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According to the official blog post, this change is hoping to enable both small and big businesses to leverage Facebook when building awareness for their new products, promoting the opening of new locations or advancing other business objectives. “We want to make it easier for businesses of all sizes to create and administer promotions on Facebook, and to align our policies to better meet the needs of marketers”, says another official release.

Learn more about this update in the downloadable Promotion Guidelines, which include FAQs and list the best practices for running promotions through Facebook. Tell us what you think about this update in the comments section below!