Facebook makes it easier to run a competition

by ntegrity team
January 17, 2017

If there was ever evidence of how quickly social media can change, today’s Page Terms update  by Facebook is it. Last week we blogged about 4 ways to make your Facebook competition legal and today Facebook’s new terms change the way you can administer competitions.

So, what we said still correct? Mostly.

You now don’t need to use use of third party apps (sorry Shortstack) for competitions. Facebook says its totally cool to ask people to like or comment on a post/page as a method for entering a competition.

The basics

It’s ok to:

– Collect entries by having users post on the Page or comment/like a Page post

– Collect entries by having users message the Page

– Utilize likes as a voting mechanism

– To ask people to submit names of a new product in exchange for a chance to win a prize

It’s not ok to:

– Ask people tag themselves in pictures of a new product in exchange for a chance to win a prize.

– Administer promotions on personal Timelines.

(Facebook have created a nice one pager for your enjoyment as well. Download it here)

These changes are a great step forward as they will allow brands to run streamlined campaigns with a quick turnaround and a really easy way for users to enter. Simply liking or commenting on a post is a really easy way for a user to enter a competition but it does eliminate some of the interaction, content creation and data capture features that third party apps have. Third party apps also offer some great functionality that can enhance your competition.So I don’t see these apps dissapearing anytime soon.

So now your Facebook competition can be the simplest thing in the world right?

Sort of. You still need to consider a number of things to make your competition legal and to protect yourself and your brand.

1. Understand your local laws, they still apply.

2. Competition terms and conditions, you still need them. LInk

3. Go back and read the Facebook page guidelines, just read them.Link.

If you are planning a competition and need advice on the best way to run it whilst protecting your brand? Book in a time to talk with our team, we have a team of specialists -even a lawyer!

Also, should you still be giving away iPads? Please no.