Facebook contest promotion rulesThis is one of the biggest and most exciting changes that Facebook has made recently. Today Facebook lifted a number of the restrictions that they had placed on contests and promotions.

Contests and promotions are one of the leading ways that businesses drive people to their page and generate engagement. Studies show that this is one of the primary reasons that people like a page on Facebook – to access sweepstakes and promotions. Facebook Terms of Service previously required an application to be used for any promotion or contest. Not any more. You can see the new terms below.

What you CAN do:

  • Ask for “likes” as votes for a contest
  • Have someone post on a page to enter a contest
  • Have someone like or comment on a post to enter a contest
  • Post multiple photos and allow people to vote with likes

One of the BIGGEST opportunities that this creates is that you can now create a status update for a contest and promote the post to generate more awareness.  (This could mean more revenue for Facebook) 😉

Opportunities for businesses:

This presents a number of huge opportunities for businesses to run quick and simple contests on the fly and easily promote the contest to increase visibility. Here are some of the things that you can do with the new rules:

  • Have users submit photos and use “likes” for voting
  • Run a quick contest soliciting likes on a status update as entries
  • Have people post a specific status update on your page to enter a contest
  • A caption contest on a picture where people enter a comment

The good news is that all of these activities will also improve your edgerank and the visibility of your page.

What you should be aware of:

There are still a number of rules that you must follow:

  • You still have to follow state and federal guidelines will official rules, terms and compliance with rules on prizes
  • The terms say that each entrant must release Facebook from liability (I have no idea how you would achieve this)
  • Acknowledge that the promotion isn’t sponsored or associated with Facebook
  • You can’t use the Timeline for promotions like “share on your Timeline to enter” or “share on a friends timeline to enter.

See the Facebook Terms of Service Here:

E.    Promotions

1. If you use Facebook to communicate or administer a promotion (ex: a contest or sweepstakes), you are responsible for the lawful operation of that promotion, including:
     a.   The official rules;
     b.   Offer terms and eligibility requirements (ex: age and residency restrictions); and
   c.   Compliance with applicable rules and regulations governing the promotion and all prizes offered (ex: registration and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals)
2. Promotions on Facebook must include the following:
     a.   A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.
     b.   Acknowledgement that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
3. Promotions may be administered on Pages or within apps on Facebook. Personal Timelines must not be used to administer promotions (ex: “share on your Timeline to enter” or “share on your friend’s Timeline to get additional entries” is not permitted).
4. We will not assist you in the administration of your promotion, and you agree that if you use our service to administer your promotion, you do so at your own risk.