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Warning: Facebook Just Announced They Will Start Removing Your Posts
August 29, 2016
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As you may have already experienced, more and more clients are requesting social in their media buys.
It's really an exciting time. Many of our Cumulus markets like Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, Dallas, New York, Chicago and San Francisco have since line itemed social media and are creating real revenue around it.
So it was especially important to pay attention when Facebook rolled out its Branded Content Policy earlier this year.
Facebook defines "branded content" as a post that features a third party sponsor.
It requires every post with a third party to use what's called the "handshake icon" as seen in the mock up below:
But since then, many Pages have been flagged for being incompliant with Facebook's new terms. And Facebook has been patient - until now.
Check out the notification that was placed on every Facebook Page over the weekend:
It reads:
"Beginning September 1st, Page posts and ads that violate the branded content policy will be removed from Facebook."
Translation:
You've had five months. Comply or be removed.
There will be opportunity to plead to the Facebook jury.
Facebook said, "If our enforcement system identifies your post as a violation, it will be removed and you'll receive a notification."
It should look something like this:
Depending on the violation, you will have the option to:
- Add a tag and restore your post
- Address the violation and create a new post
- Appeal the violation
Just keep in mind with 3 million paid advertising Pages, hundreds of thousands of non-advertising Pages and over a billion people simply firing up Facebook everyday - customer service can take a while.
Facebook says removal of posts will not impact your News Feed ranking. The same signals - such as engagement and reach - will continue to guide your post's distribution.
In Facebook's words, "People do not want to see overly promotional content, and those types of posts will continue to receive less distribution."
Only verified pages can post third party ads as status updates. If your station Page needs verification, please follow the steps provided by Facebook here.
You must also stay in compliance with the FTC. Facebook's "handshake icon" does not replace the word "ad" or "sponsored." You still need be clear that the post is an ad.
It's an ever-changing space that's for sure.
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