What are the violation rules for Facebook? Complete Guide 2024
Why your organic reach on Facebook is dropping?
Facebook is one of the largest and most widely used social media platforms in the world. With billions of users, Facebook aims to connect people and build communities.
To maintain a safe and positive environment, Facebook has established Community Standards that outline what is and isn’t allowed on the platform. Understanding Facebook’s violation rules is important for all users and page owners to avoid penalties like post removals or account suspensions.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the key categories of Facebook violations and how to steer clear of them.
Types of Violations on Facebook
Facebook’s Community Standards cover a wide range of potential violations across these main areas:
Violence and Criminal Behavior
Facebook does not allow content that promotes violence or criminal activity on either Facebook or Instagram. This includes:
- Threats to harm oneself or others
- Organizing or promoting criminal or dangerous activities
- Celebrating or glorifying violence
- Calling for self-harm or suicide
Any content aimed at coordinating harm on or off the platform is strictly prohibited. This content will be removed and may lead to account disables.
Safety
Facebook is committed to protecting user safety on and offline. As such, the platform prohibits:
- Bullying and harassment, including severe or pervasive threats
- Revealing personal information like addresses or bank details
- Sexual exploitation such as non-consensual intimate imagery
- Scams and fraud activity
Repeated harassment or privacy violations can get your account disabled. Always be respectful to others on the platform.
Objectionable Content
There are certain types of content not allowed on Facebook due to either their graphic or sensitive nature. Prohibited content includes:
- Extreme violence or gore
- Adult nudity and sexual activity
- Sexual solicitation
- Crude attempts at humor or satire related to tragic events
Posting this type of objectionable content can lead to post removals or account suspensions depending on severity and context.
Integrity and Authenticity
Facebook values authentic user experiences and communication. As such, the platform prohibits:
- Fake accounts or impersonation
- Artificial engagement tactics like purchased followers or fake likes
- Coordinated inauthentic behavior across multiple accounts
- Misrepresentation within ads or branded content
Violating Facebook’s authenticity policies through engagement baiting or other tactics can get posts demoted and accounts disabled.
Intellectual Property Violations
Facebook respects intellectual property rights and prohibits the unauthorized use of copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. This includes prohibitions on:
- Sharing pirated software or links to pirated content
- Selling or promoting counterfeit goods
- Impersonating someone’s brand without permission
Copyright and trademark infringement takedowns are common intellectual property violations on the platform.
Regulated Goods
There are certain regulated or illegal goods not permitted for sale or promotion on Facebook. Banned goods and services include:
- Illegal drugs and pharmaceuticals
- Unsafe supplements or miracle cures
- Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
- Adult products or services
Attempting to buy or sell these goods on Facebook may result in post removals, restrictions on advertising capabilities, or full account disables.
Common Violations Creators Should Avoid
Where creators often run into challenges are with violations around engagement baiting, limited originality, and clickbait or “watchbait”. Let’s explore these key areas.
Engagement Baiting
Authenticity is key on Facebook. Engagement baiting goes against this principle and leads to demotions of individual posts that use it. Engagement bait urges others to like, share, comment, or otherwise interact with a post in order to win a prize or unlock content.
Some examples of engagement baiting tactics to avoid:
- Asking people to like or react to win a prize (“Like this for a chance to win concert tickets!”)
- Requiring shares to unlock content (“Share with 5 friends to see the reveal video”)
- Using reactions as votes (“Comment with angry face if you hate Mondays!”)
The best practice is to encourage engagement organically. Ask open-ended questions, share compelling content, or offer value to followers without gimmicks.
Limited Originality of Content
Facebook wants to reward creators who do the hard work of crafting valuable, authentic content. As such, the platform prioritizes original content that reflects the unique voice and perspective of the creator.
There are three common ways creators violate originality standards:
- Editorialization: Taking others’ content and adding minor edits or commentary
- Aggregation: Curating others’ content without adding meaningful new enhancements
- Reposting: Sharing content that already exists, including your own previous posts
To avoid limited originality violations, focus on sharing content only you can create. Use your unique voice and offer novel value. Upload original videos and images using Rights Manager to protect your work.
Clickbait or Watchbait
Clickbait and watchbait refer to content designed intentionally to mislead users into clicking or tapping on posts and videos. This is done through exaggerated or misleading titles, thumbnails, and overlay text.
Watchbait on video posts usually takes one of these forms:
- Withholding: Omitting key details to create intrigue (“You won’t believe what happened next!”)
- Sensationalism: Using exaggerated or shocking claims (“This will upend everything!”)
- Misleading: Thumbnails or text that imply untrue payoffs
Facebook users do not appreciate feeling tricked into tapping on content. As such, clickbait and watchbait tactics often lead to demotions that reduce content reach.
The best practice is to accurately represent your content in titles and previews. Deliver what you promise to build trust with your audience.
Consequences of Violating Facebook Guidelines
The penalties for violating Facebook’s guidelines vary based on the severity and frequency of the violation. Possible consequences include:
- Post Removal: Individual pieces of prohibited content are taken down.
- Reach Reduction: Repeated violations may lead to posts being demoted.
- Page Restrictions: Limitations can be placed on page functions like advertising or live streaming.
- Account Suspension: Temporary disabling of the account, ranging from 1–30 days.
- Account Disable: Permanent banishment from Facebook. This is for severe or repeated violations.
Minor first-time offenses result in post-takedowns. However, consistent violations escalate penalties all the way up to full account termination. It is critical that page owners understand Facebook’s standards thoroughly.
How to Avoid Facebook Violations
Here are some key tips to steer clear of violations on Facebook:
- Read the Community Guidelines fully to understand what is and isn’t permitted. These standards do evolve over time.
- Avoid engagement baiting by encouraging authentic interactions with followers. Don’t use gimmicks or gambits.
- Craft original content that reflects your unique voice and perspective. Add value for the audience.
- Accurately represent your content in titles, thumbnails, and descriptions. Don’t mislead users.
- Credit creators and rights holders when featuring their content or intellectual property. Follow proper attribution procedures.
- Report prohibited content you see from others and disengage. Don’t contribute to policy violations.
- Appeal removals you feel were mistakes. Provide context on how the content aligns with policies.
Staying on the right side of Facebook’s guidelines takes concerted effort. But doing so ensures your account remains in good standing.
Final Thoughts
Facebook’s Community Standards exist to protect users, enable authentic engagement, and prevent abuse. While the rules cover a broad range of potential violations, creators tend to struggle most with engagement baiting, limited originality, and misleading clickbait tactics.
The penalties for violations include post removals, reach reductions, account suspensions, and permanent disables in severe cases. By reading Facebook’s full guidelines, crafting authentic original content, accurately representing posts, and avoiding engagement gimmicks, creators can steer clear of violations.
Understanding Facebook’s standards takes diligence. But doing so will help your account thrive and build a strong, engaged community.
Related Article: Call-to-Action: Engagement Bait Or Not?
FAQs
What are some examples of prohibited content on Facebook?
Some examples of prohibited content on Facebook include graphic violence, adult nudity, bullying and harassment, counterfeit goods, and regulated products like pharmaceuticals.
Do Facebook’s rules apply to Instagram too?
Yes, Facebook’s Community Standards and violation rules apply across both Facebook and Instagram since they are part of the same parent company.
What happens if I violate Facebook’s rules accidentally?
Minor accidental violations typically result in post-takedowns. However, repeated violations, whether purposeful or not, can lead to account restrictions or disables.
Can I appeal if I feel Facebook made a mistake in penalizing my account?
Yes, you can appeal removals or restrictions you feel were applied incorrectly. Provide context on how your content aligns with Facebook’s rules.
What are some tips for engaging my audience without using engagement bait?
Some alternatives include asking genuine questions, running contests without requiring shares, responding to comments, asking for opinions, sharing exclusive content, going live, rewarding top fans, and collaborating with partners.
