Generosity killed the Facebook page

We’ve all seen it before: Tag this, win this. Like this, win that. Facebook pages {brands & blogs} generously offer prizes for fun on their pages, but did you know that competitions run on Facebook pages are actually illegal {against Facebook’s rule and regulations anyhow} and that by doing so you risk losing your Facebook page?

So what are the rules, and what’s the right way to run a competition? Let me share how:

1. The burden of responsibility lies with you
Sounds heavy doesn’t it? Put simply it means that you need to check that you can legally offer a prize & that your competition complies with
Facebook’s regulations.

2. Is it a game of skill of chance?
Facebook has clear definitions on what constitutes a promotion, so whether it’s a contest, a competition or sweepstake {competition is a promotion offering a prize with a winner determined by skill & sweepstake is a promotion offering a prize with a winner determined by chance}. Australian gaming laws differ from state to state as well, with some states requiring a permit for sweepstakes {games of chance}. In plain english, I find it safest to have competitions on Facebook and on my blog based on skill, so a question/answer type competition {where the best entry wins} is an easy way to do just that.

3. Don’t ask fans to ‘do’ something in order to enter
Facebook doesn’t allow the use of it’s functionalities or features as a method for voting or entering a competition. So you can’t ask your fans to like something {your page, a photo, a comment}, tag a photo or even check-in in order to enter a competition.

4. Is there an app for that?
Facebook only allows competitions to be run on a page tab through a third party app or on a canvas page. I’ve used Wildfire now {in work and play} for around six campaigns and have found them really easy to use, and affordable too.

5. Say it, just not on Facebook
Lastly, Facebook doesn’t allow pages {or profiles for that matter} to notify winners by sending messages, using the chat function, commenting or even announcing on wall posts.

So while many Facebook pages take the chance and run competitions outside these guidelines, I guess you have to ask the question – Is it really worth risking my Facebook page?

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P.S. In the coming weeks I’ll share a not-so-information-heavy post on how to run creative competitions to promote your blog. Stay tuned.

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9 thoughts on “Generosity killed the Facebook page”

  1. I have actually seen a few pages get shut down after running comps that “broke the rules”.
    Personally I think it's a little silly, but more people need to be aware of how to run things without the risk of losing their page.
    Great post, Chantelle!

  2. My goodness I never knew this. So many competitions are on Facebook these days and alot you have to gain “likes” in order to win! Very interesting post.

  3. I never really thought about it but, if I I do something in the future it is good to know.

    Do your research first.

    Thank you for the advice.

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