Gambling, Tobacco, Firearms and Dairy No Longer Taboo Subjects at Facebook
Facebook, the powerful social media website, has reportedly loosened its policy on promotions around gambling, tobacco, dairy, age, residency and firearms.
From Inside Facebook
Facebook updated its promotions guidelines this week, and has now confirmed that it no longer blanket-prohibits promotions (including give-aways) for tobacco, dairy, gambling, firearms, prescription drugs, and gasoline.
Promoters must still comply with restrictions in the jurisdictions where the promotions are held, but Facebook has dropped its site-wide restrictions that were originally designed to preserve local laws. Marketers can also require a purchase for entry, and target those below age 18 or who live in certain countries such as India and Norway.
The change could lead big brands in the now-unrestricted industries to step up their marketing efforts on Facebook, drawing spend away from more traditional marketing mediums such as TV and print. It will also allow all marketers more flexibility in promotion targeting and rules.
Some may cringe at the thought of minors being exposed to gambling and firearms ads in India and Norway? But to each their own.
Facebook claims it is simply making the company’s policy “easier to understand” while deferring to local jurisdictions in regard to the law.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
