Although it may seem overwhelming, Facebook’s Promotions Guidelines are pretty simple. And if you’re using a 3rd party application like Wishpond, your contests will be designed to fit within these guidelines, so you won’t need to worry about it.

Here is a brief rundown of the most relevant points and an explanation for each:

• Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or a Page App.

Meaning: Promotions cannot be run directly on a Facebook Page’s Wall – it must be housed within a Facebook Page Tab, or on a separate Facebook App Page.

• Promotions on Facebook must include the following:

  • A complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant.

  • Acknowledgment that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.

  • Disclosure that the participant is providing information to [disclose recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook.

Meaning: You must explicitly state that you the merchant are running this contest and that Facebook is not involved with it in any way (Wishpond’s applications have this disclaimer built-in).

• You must not condition registration or entry upon the user taking any action using any Facebook features or functionality other than liking a Page, checking in to a Place, or connecting to your app. For example, you must not condition registration or entry upon the user liking a Wall post, or commenting or uploading a photo on a Wall.

Meaning: You cannot use a Facebook feature – such as liking or checking in – as a condition to enter a contest

• You must not use Facebook features or functionality as a promotion’s registration or entry mechanism. For example, the act of liking a Page or checking in to a Place cannot automatically register or enter a promotion participant.

Meaning: You cannot use a Facebook feature – such as liking or checking in – as the means of entering a contest

• You must not use Facebook features or functionality, such as the Like button, as a voting mechanism for a promotion.

Meaning: You cannot use a Facebook feature – such as the like button – as a way for users to vote on contest entries.

• You must not notify winners through Facebook, such as through Facebook messages, chat, or posts on profiles (timelines) or Pages.

Meaning: You must use email, phone, etc. to contact contest winners. Wishpond Contest apps allow you to ask for this information upon entry, so you will not be stuck!

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