NEW Facebook Cover Guidelines :: Simplified Rules

The Ban Has Been Lifted!

Apparently, Facebook modified their Page guidelines yesterday regarding Facebook Cover Photos. Although they didn't make an official announcement, the new guidelines have been simplified and there is no mention of not being able to use pricing information, contact info, references to Facebook features or calls to action.

This Facebook Cover from Bed, Bath & Beyond which was against the rules "yesterday" is good to go today:

Here are the new simplified Facebook Cover Guidelines:
All covers are public. This means that anyone who visits your Page will be able to see your cover. Covers can't be deceptive, misleading, or infringe on anyone else's copyright. You may not encourage people to upload your cover to their personal timelines. Covers may not include images with more than 20% text. Source: https://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php

The old guidelines stated that pages were not allowed to include any pricing or purchase information ("40% off", "Buy One Get One Free"), any contact information (phone number, website, email address, etc.) or any other information that "should go in your Page's "About" section". They also specifically stated that you could not make any reference to Facebook features and actions ("like", "share", or an arrow pointing to any Facebook feature), or use any call to action ("buy now", "click here", "visit our website") in cover photos. Although not spelled out, it appears that what was "against the rules" "yesterday" is now "a-ok today." So... here is what is now implied in the guidelines by virtue of them having been removed:

Covers MAY NOW include:

• price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Buy One Get One Free”;
• contact information such as a website address, email, mailing address, phone number, etc. AND information that should go in your Page’s “About” section;
• references to Facebook features or actions, such as "Like" or "Share" AND/OR an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features; AND/OR
• calls to action, such as "get it now" or "tell your friends."

Here are some more Facebook Covers that brands have used in the past that are no longer "against the rules" (although they are most all likely to be breaking the 20% text rule):

Here's my new Facebook Cover:

(go ahead, click it and then like my page)

Meet the Shoemaker...

Facebook Cover Rules... Has the ban been lifted?

Great news for brands if this is true

Earlier today +Hugh Briss blogged about possible changes to the Facebook guidelines for Page's cover photos. If this is true, this is great news for brands as they will now "officially" be able to include their website address and phone number on their cover. 

It should be noted that the 20% text rule does not appear to have changed, so be sure to keep that in mind before making changes to include your contact information. You can do an "unofficial" check by uploading your cover here and then dragging a box over your text areas - total of all needs to be under 20%. 

Here are links to the Official Facebook Page Guidelines and Complete Page Terms:
http://www.facebook.com/help/276329115767498/
http://www.facebook.com/page_guidelines.php