Facebook Terms and Conditions update

Important changes to be aware of with the rollout of the new Timeline for Brands:

https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

Here’s a solid description of some important guidelines to know:

Important : Facebook Issue New Guidelines For Brands And Timeline
http://www.simplyzesty.com/facebook/important-facebook-issue-new-guidelines-for-brands-and-timeline/

Since Facebook launched Timeline for brands last week, there has been a bit of confusion around new guidelines that brands may have to adhere to. While the rules for running promotions on brand pages don’t seem to have changed (bar a small update clarifying that you may not contact competition winners through their individual timelines), Facebook have issued some new guidelines regarding the use of the cover photo. As expected, brands cannot use a cover image that contains copyrighted images and you should also remember that by default, the cover photo image on a brand timeline will be viewable by the public, regardless of whether they are a fan or not.

No pricing information in cover photos

If you’re running a particular offer for a discount on products or want to direct people to purchase on your site, you’re not permitted to advertise this through your cover photo. The guidelines state specifically that you must not include :

“price or purchase information, such as “40% off”
Or
“Download it on socialmusic.com”

No calls to action

As well as being restricted from using calls to action that relate to your own offers or products, you are also not permitted to include any calls to action such as asking people to Like your Page, or encouraging fans to use your cover photo. The guidelines state the cover photo must not contain :

“references to Facebook features or actions, such as “Like” or “Share” or an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features”
or
“calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends.”

No company information

Perhaps what’s most frustrating about the new guidelines is that you can’t include any details about your company such as your web address or contact information. These details should only go in the ‘About’ section of your page, which is still a tab within the new Timeline layout. This is listed specifically as:

“references to Facebook features or actions, such as “Like” or “Share” or an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features”

These new guidelines may be frustrating for some brands that are already using these features, or had planned to. As always though, if you play on Facebook then you play by Facebook’s rules…

 

– Randall Noval