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?
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.
Great post, I've been living on the edge… my bad. I might have to pull my socks up after this 😉
wow. Thanks for that!
Thanks for that good to know:-)
is it bad that i take the risk?
must be something to do with my personality 😉
Great advice <3 As always xxx
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!
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.
Great post! Thank You sooo much! This stuff can be so confusing..
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.