Latest Update on Facebook’s Advertising Policy

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Facebook would begin enforcing their policy of banning “animals for sale” ads.  While the policy itself is nothing new, it had rarely been enforced.  Not only have equine sellers used the social media network for years to promote their sale horses, but also rescue agencies and animal shelters.

The policy states: 

1. Illegal, prescription or recreational drugs;
2. Tobacco items and related paraphernalia;
3. Unsafe supplements;
4. Weapons, ammunition or explosives;
5. Animals;
6. Adult items or services;
7. Alcohol;
8. Adult health items;
9. Real money gambling services;
10. Goods, items or posts that we determine may be or are fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or offensive;
11. Items or products with overtly sexualized positioning;
12. Non-physical items are prohibited on Facebook Marketplace, including but not limited to services, subscriptions, digital products, or rentals.

So, what’s a person to do?  Social media has been one of the go-to platforms for promoting sale horses as it allows ads to easily be shared among connections and can achieve a great reach.  It is still too early to know for sure the impact this will have, but some people are already experiencing their ads being deleted by Facebook admins.  Numerous petitions have been started to encourage Facebook to amend their policy.  While individual posters may just have their ads removed, Groups or Pages who post ads will receive a warning, followed by posting restrictions and potentially deletion of the Group or Page.  

In the meantime, Pleasurehorse.com offers free classified listings for horses and products.  These listings are allowed to be shared on social media since it is considered an external listing even though an ad created on Facebook does not meet the current policy.  It remains to be seen how the policy will affect sales in the long run, or if Facebook will consider amending the policy.