id tags

Facebook: People, for the most part, “get” it. In general, businesses are even starting to follow suit. But I can tell you, as a Facebook-for-business connoisseur, that my most frequently asked question is: “Wait, we can’t do contests on our Facebook page?”

For the purpose of avoiding confusion, the answer is NO.

There is some language in the terms and conditions. However, that does muddle the issue. But I genuinely don’t want you to focus on that. Here is the simple rule:

You cannot hold contests on your Facebook page. You can, however, promote contests held elsewhere (for instance, your blog, website or YouTube).

Facebook is acting with caution here, It doesn’t want to be held accountable or liable for any legal issues on account of a Facebook page. According to Facebook, you cannot have the people who “like” your page complete any Facebook user action in exchange for any sort of incentive. These include:

• Wall posts
• Status updates
• Picture uploads
• Customer reviews
• Video uploads
• Profile picture changes
• Use of the Facebook messaging feature
• Discussions
• Notes

Basically, any action that requires the click of a mouse or a keystroke in order to enter a company’s Facebook promotion is violating its terms and conditions and is grounds for termination of the Facebook account. For the complete terms and conditions, click here.

So, tread lightly on Facebook’s ground. Follow the rules, and be the example. Come up with a contest idea that defies the bounds of Facebook. Take a look at Identity’s latest go-around below:

Facebook Wall Post Announcing Our Favorite Rebrand Contest on ID Tags:

Actual Contest on the Identity Blog

What do you think about Facebook’s rules about contests? Have you used Facebook to promote a contest hosted on a different platform?

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