Facebook Monopoly Code - What Exactly is Happening?

5 replies
Hey warriors,

has anyone been able to break the facebook advertising "monopoly" code?

By that, I mean how facebook are strict with most advertisers about following their FB Ads rules, while they let others get away with practically anything and everything (especially in the weight loss niche).

Anyone knows any loopholes?

(P.S. The term "Facebook Monopoly Code" is copyrighted! lol)
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#code #facebook #facebook ads #facebook advertising #facebook ppc #happening #monopoly #weight loss
  • Profile picture of the author shane_k
    I have ads on facebook in the weight loss niche and I am betting they are just as strict with me as they are you.

    I would be curious as to what have you seen that makes you think others are getting away with bending/breaking the rules?

    And how can you even know this without looking at the persons account?
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    • Profile picture of the author Mystery777
      Originally Posted by shane_k View Post

      I have ads on facebook in the weight loss niche and I am betting they are just as strict with me as they are you.

      I would be curious as to what have you seen that makes you think others are getting away with bending/breaking the rules?

      And how can you even know this without looking at the persons account?
      According to Facebook Ads rules, specifically the Health and Fitness example, they say and I quote below:

      Language:
      • Ads and Sponsored Stories may not call attention to perceived imperfections through the use of language such as, “Are you fat?” or "Balding?". Instead, text must present realistic and accurate information about a state of health in a neutral or positive way (e.g. ‘Lose weight safely and effectively' or 'Best Hair Renewal Product').
      • Acceptable:
        "Healthy Tips for Weight Loss"
        "Want to Lose Weight?"
      • Unacceptable:
        "Lose 25 lbs in 25 days"or "Feeling Fat?"
        (These are unacceptable because they indicate an unhealthy amount of weight loss in a given period and imply that a user is of a certain body type.)
      Now shall we take a look at one of the many examples we can find that are breaking the rules? Here is one that is gaining popularity (included as attachment). Here it is:

      http://oi48.tinypic.com/b65apc.jpg

      1- Let's start with the Ad copy:

      "LOSE 7KGS IN 7 WEEKS!! How would
      you look and feel if you lose 7 kgs
      before the New Year.."


      - Too much caps and 3 all caps words (against fb ads TOS)
      - Specifying an unhealthy amount of weight loss within a specific time frame.(which is powerful marketing but also against fb ads TOS) plus implying the person won't look and feel good before New Year because they have some extra 7kgs of overweight.

      2- Let's take a look at the image:

      I've tried to use many similar images (never explicit), even more conservative, yet got declined and actually from the many generic declining reason emails they sent me, two actually had a lil bit more info and referred me to their image rules section (ie. letting me know that it was the image this time, which, to be honest, is obviously not true).

      I've actually also tried a gazillion times, with diff ads, diff images, diff landing pages, even diff products and diff fb accounts. Was never accepted in this particular niche for some reason.

      3- Now shall we go to the destination URL of our example Ad above?

      It is her fanpage: [UPDATE: fanpage link removed to avoid unnecessary complaints made against the Page.]

      which has a fb cover that breaks at least 2 cover rules (for example she is asking for likes in her cover: "Like Us To Find Out How...")

      How did this advertiser get away with this? Has facebook changed their rules recently? Also this is just one of many many examples.

      I don't hate or envy her but wish her all the best. However, I'm just not gonna waste my time anymore with facebook in this particular niche before I figure out what is going on.

      UPDATE: Just noticed her ad claim: "7kg in 7 weeks" MAY not be considered unhealthy. However, the ad and landing page still break other rules.
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      • Profile picture of the author yesacpow
        Hey Mystery,

        I am with you on this issue as well. I see some blatant ads in my profile that breaks almost every rule and some of my ads that are not even close to them get disapproved.

        But from my understanding it depends on who review your ads. Fb outsource their ad reviews to people from various countries and sometimes so my approve what another may disapprove in another country.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mystery777
          Originally Posted by yesacpow View Post

          Hey Mystery,

          I am with you on this issue as well. I see some blatant ads in my profile that breaks almost every rule and some of my ads that are not even close to them get disapproved.

          But from my understanding it depends on who review your ads. Fb outsource their ad reviews to people from various countries and sometimes so my approve what another may disapprove in another country.
          That's actually a good point. Might be a possibility.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Facebook ads are reviewed manually. For that reason the approval process won't be exactly the same across the board. It depends who reviews your ads, what mood they are in at the time, and even their own interpretation of the advertiser rules.
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