Facebook released another policy update that seems to have missed the attention of many Facebook page admins. If you're a Facebook page admin, it's important to follow policy updates, so you don't lose access to your page and all your hard work. Believe me, it's not fun!
It's not surprising that many people have missed this policy update, because it's not posted in the policies update, but in the
Facebook Developers blog.
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| Facebook Giveaways November 2014 Update - Tips for Increasing Page Reach |
What does this Facebook policy change state?
Glad you asked!
When Facebook updated their platform, about 90 days ago, they also announced changes to what page admins would be allowed to do on the platform. Here is the statement pertaining to Giveaways:
To ensure quality connections and help businesses reach the people who matter to them, we want people to like Pages because they want to connect and hear from the business, not because of artificial incentives. We believe this update will benefit people and advertisers alike.
Facebook also specifically stated:
You must not incentivize people to use social plugins or to like a Page. This includes offering rewards, or gating apps or app content based on whether or not a person has liked a Page.
However, it remains acceptable to incentivize people to login to apps, checkin at a places or enter a promotion on your app's Page. Developers had to update their apps to comply with these policy changes by November 5, 2014.
This new change is
in addition to the previous policy change that prohibits pages from having contestants use inaccurate tagging, such as tagging themselves or another person on a status or picture that is not about that person, or requiring people to share items on their profiles for entries.It is also in addition to requiring Pages to post Terms of Service.
So if Facebook admins can't ask people to like their page, like a post, tag their friends or share their page, what can they do?
Facebook Giveaways Permitted Actions
While some Facebook admins are asking entrants simply to "visit" their page, hoping the visitor might like the page while they are there, it's actually counter-productive to have contestants "Like" your page. Why?
Unless fans interact with your page, the more inactive Facebook Fans you have, the fewer people Facebook shows your posts to. What are some more effective actions?
One of the most effective actions Facebook page admins can require is to
ask entrants to comment on a specific post on your page. The more comments a Facebook post has, the more people Facebook shows the post to,
When fans comment on a status, be sure to like their comment and reply to it, this will stretch your organic reach even further.
Another very effective action that has not yet been regulated, is to
ask contest entrants to message your page. This allows you to contact the people who enter your giveaway by messaging them back or even by email.
Remember, these changes are in addition to previous Terms of Service.
How did we find out about this change in Facebook Policies? Let's just say a little birdie ...errr helicopter told us.
A helicopter?
Yes.
We highly recommend using Rafflecopter for giveaways, even on your Facebook page, and subscribing to their blog for updates.
Don't lose all your hard work. Follow Facebook's Terms of Service, and keep your account in good standing.
You might also want to subscribe to our Blogged Tips blog, for more Facebook Secrets to painlessly increase your organic reach.
Wishing you Success,
Suzanne
