Looking to get more “likes” on your Facebook page? Want to give away a product through a contest? Planning on having people “vote” by using the like button? Facebook has guidelines about how you’re allowed to use the site for promotions. Before spending any resources on a promotion that may not be “legal”, it may be a good idea to take a look at what Facebook allows…
Summary of Facebook’s Rules for Promotions & Contests
The full Promotions Guidelines can be found here, but to summarize the main points:
- Promotions on Facebook have to be done through a Facebook application, either a Canvas Page or an app on a Page Tab.
- You have to make sure it’s clear that the promotion is not connected to Facebook either way.
- You have to fully disclose who is collecting information, what information you’re collecting and how it’s going to be used.
- You cannot use any Facebook features or functionality as part of the promotion’s registration or entry processes. For example, you can’t have people like a Page or check into a Place to have them automatically enter a promotion.
- You also can’t use liking as a voting mechanism (or checking in).
- You can’t force people to do anything on Facebook to enter your contest, so liking your Page or a post, or commenting or uploading a photo cannot be requirements of the promotion.
- You have to notify winners outside of Facebook (via email, snail mail, phone, etc.).
These are just a summary of Facebook’s promotional guidelines. You’ll want to check out their page before every promotion you run, since you’re also responsible for keeping up with any changes they make.
(image by birgerking, on Flickr)