Don't Get Into Trouble Over... Facebook Giveaways

Posted by abovepromotions on May 1, 2012 · 9 Comments 

Attempting to entice new fans or engagement by running a contest on Facebook? Read below. Photo courtesy of Arte Ram.

Truly we aren’t the Facebook police nor on their team for policy management.  Just a group of individuals working hard for our customers and trying to keep them and ourselves out of Facebook Jail, if there were such a thing.  Hopefully we managed to keep you out of trouble on the topic of the Facebook Cover Photos.  And now it’s time to address another common mistake many are doing to promote their business on Facebook, Giveaways.

Above Promotions Company is not looking to be crowned Facebook experts nor on the inside track of Zuckerberg’s team.  We’re not above this mistake either.  A few months back we posted a chance to get free social media advice and right after it was posted, we realized our methods of administering the contest was violating most of the rules.  This post is just our way of attempting to help others keep their account from being locked or terminated over a simple matter of not reading a few of their 10,000 plus worded (just a guess) user policy.  It’s easy to miss details, which covers two sections in their policy, especially when you’re anxious to claim your social media space or obtain new leads immediately.  However, it’s this anxiousness causing individuals to post promotional contests and gifts in a manner which could provide them with a bit of trouble with the social media giant, that is being addressed here.  (Click here for the full view of the sections being referenced.)

 

Now you’re wondering, “what is it that I should NOT be doing now?”  Well, here’s an example of a promotion which violates Facebook’s terms:

ABC bar is giving away a case of the top shelf liquor to the 100th person to like our Facebook page.  The winner will be announced on our page.  We will then need you to contact us at the bar and the distributor will send it to you in the mail.  Now who’s going to be our 100th fan?!

 

This fan promotional giveaway just violated every item under the Offers and Promotions section.  Of course many of you would say, I’m not giving away alcohol.  You may think your make-up or free tire rotation service would be a viable insert for the promotional ad above, but even with that small substitute, you would still be violating the terms of use.

Although we recommend you going directly to their link to view the rules, you can find the 600 magic words, which are valid as of today, below to review at your convenience as well.

Now let’s go back to what we said above.  As it is not about you not being able to run a promotion on Facebook, but it’s the method of execution and the terms of engagement. 

Facebook requires you utilize an app for running promotions and ensure certain liability topics are covered.  North Social, Wildfire , FanAppz and other application companies offer Facebook approved plug-ins for your Fan Pages. 

Before deciding on your promotion and the application you will use, make a clear plan as to what you hope to accomplish in running the promotion.  Not every business will benefit in the long-term from doing one.

Well at least for now, you have some more information to digest and make some clear branding decisions for your business. 

Oh and stay out of trouble on Facebook.

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Above Promotions is a full service publicity, marketing and promotions company, founded with the purpose to serve an array of clients that are looking to expand their presence in the marketplace.  From a local to international market, Above Promotions Company can provide the exposure that goes above your expectations.  Visit www.abovepromotions.com today.

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FACEBOOK GUIDELINES:

D.    Offers

Facebook may not be a suitable place for every type of offer, and you are solely responsible for determining if Facebook is the appropriate forum for your offer. If you create an offer using Facebook’s offer creation tool, the following policies apply:

i.    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.

ii.    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.

iii.    You are solely responsible for improper redemption, fraud or other issues that arise from the distribution and/or redemption of your offer.

iv.    If your offer may be redeemed at a merchant not operated by you, it is your sole responsibility to communicate with the participating merchant.

v.    You must not use Facebook’s offer creator to offer the equivalent of a gift card, gift certificate or stored value card.

E.    Promotions

If you use Facebook to communicate about or administer a promotion (such as a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including the official rules, offer terms and eligibility requirements (e.g., age and residency restrictions), and compliance with regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered in connection with the promotion (e.g., registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals). Please note that compliance with these guidelines does not constitute the lawfulness of a promotion. Promotions are subject to many regulations and if you are not certain that your promotion complies with applicable law, please consult with an expert.

i.    Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or a Page App.

ii.    Promotions on Facebook must include the following:

a.    A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.

b.    Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

c.    Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.

iii.    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.

iv.    You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.

v.    You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.

vi.    You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles (timelines) or Pages.

vii.    Definitions:

a.    By “administration” we mean the operation of any element of the promotion, such as collecting entries, conducting a drawing, judging entries, or notifying winners.

b.    By “communication” we mean promoting, advertising or referencing a promotion in any way on Facebook, e.g., in ads, on a Page, or in a Wall post.

We reserve the right to reject or remove Pages for any reason. These terms are subject to change at any time.

 

Related articles

• Don’t Let Your Facebook Cover Photo Get You Into Trouble (abovepromotions.wordpress.com)
• Do you really know if your violating Facebook’s terms of service? (chefforfeng.wordpress.com)

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