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Information on Recent Changes to Facebook Issue and Political Ads Policy

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Facebook Political/Issue Ads Update

Facebook has recently announced changes to it’s policies for ad accounts authorized to run issues or elections ads and candidate Facebook pages. They have done this to try and protect their platform from disinformation campaigns and foreign influence. You can read more specific information here by scrolling to “Create and manage disclaimers”:

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https://www.facebook.com/business/help/208949576550051

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We have summarized the steps you need to take to deal with these recent policy changes.

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NOTE: Due to the nature of this problem, COMPETE expects further changes over the next year from Facebook, and we will update you whenever those changes occur.

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Issues/Elections Ads Authorization

The biggest change is in the disclaimer process, which they have made more rigorous. There are CURRENTLY two methods to have your organization approved to acquire the disclaimer to run political ads:

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Method One - “Confirmed Organization”

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Method Two - “About this Ad”

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We recommend almost every client to use Method Two for the disclaimer process

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Method one involves more complicated steps and documentation, but once completed your ads will have the bonus of a “Confirmed Organization” icon on their ads.

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Method two is much simpler and once completed an “About this Ad” icon will display on your ads.

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Method One - EIN

You can complete method one using an EIN number, or FEC information. The EIN steps are:

  1. Navigate to your Facebook page in Business Manager, select “Settings” in the right of top menu, select “Authorizations” from the right menu, scroll down to select “Create New Disclaimer,” then select “Tax-registered”.
  2. Select an existing Business Manager account or create a new Business Manager account.
  3. Enter business details, including a relevant Employer Identification Number (EIN). Social Security Number is not accepted. All of these fields are required. Further info on these details can be found here.
    1. Confirmation of legal name or business: You must upload documents that prove that your business is a legally registered business with official authorities. This document must contain (i) legal name of business and (ii) EIN.
      1. These are some accepted documents:
        1. Business license
        2. Certificate of formation or incorporation
        3. Business tax or VAT registration certificate
    2. Confirmation of business address and phone number or website: You must upload documents that show (i) legal name of business, (ii) your business street address, and (iii) phone number and/or website.
      • These are some accepted documents:
        • Utility bill like a phone or electricity bill
        • Bank statement
        • Business license
        • Certificate of formation or incorporation
        • Business tax or VAT registration certificate
  4. Choose method to confirm contact information. You'll be required to complete both phone and email confirmation. Facebook will call the number you provided with a four digit verification code to confirm your relationship to the business, and confirm your email address by entering a business email with a similar domain to your business website and receiving a six digit verification code to confirm your relationship to the business.
  5. Once the phone number and email are confirmed, you’ll receive final confirmation. Once complete, your disclaimer will take 24 hours to review. You will not be able to use the disclaimer during this time.

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Click image above to download W-9

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Method Two - Other - Provide self-declared information

Small businesses, organizations and local politicians that want to use their organization name in the disclaimer can use this option. The steps for completing Method two are:

  • Navigate to your Facebook page in Business Manager, select “Settings” in the right of top menu, select “Authorizations” from the right menu, scroll down to select “Create New Disclaimer,” then select “Other · Provide self-declared information”.
  • Submit required information (organization name, street address, website and email address). All of this information will be available in the Ad Library for seven years.
    • Note: Email domain must be similar to website domain provided. The name of the organization used in the disclaimer must be listed on the website in order for your disclaimer to be approved.
  • Enter four digit code given on a phone call at number provided.
  • Enter six digit code given in an email at email address provided.
  • Once the phone number and email are confirmed, you’ll receive final confirmation. Once complete, your disclaimer will take 24 hours to review. You will not be able to use the disclaimer during this time.
  • Note: Organization name, phone number, email address and website will be available on the ad by tapping the ‘i’ icon to see more information.