Until recently, Facebook severely limited the type of content one could include on one’s Facebook business Page Cover Image.
The OLD rules told us that Facebook Cover images “may not include”:
- images with more than 20% text;
- price or purchase information, such as “40% off” or “Download it on socialmusic.com”;
- contact information such as a website address, email, mailing address, or information that should go in your Page’s “About” section;
- references to Facebook features or actions, such as “Like” or “Share” or an arrow pointing from the cover photo to any of these features; or
- calls to action, such as “Get it now” or “Tell your friends.”
In typical Facebook fashion, they seem to have changed the rules quietly and without fanfare. Facebook watchers Mari Smith, Inside Facebook and others heard about the change and began ‘sharing the love’ with the rest of us. (Thanks guys!!)
Here are the new and improved ‘terms’ for what you can include on your Facebook Cover Image:
- 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.
For the full picture see the Facebook Page Terms.
Quite a difference, eh?! And, about time too! As a prime piece of real estate for brands, the old rules concerning the cover image didn’t make sense. The restriction on having only 20% of the image in text is manageable.
Facebook cover images, are a bit like a billboard for business pages. They’re the first thing people see when visiting your Page and, after they’ve visited your Page once, chances are they won’t be back again – unless you give them a reason to return. They’ll like your Page or not, rarely if every to return again.
The opportunity to include a ‘Call to Action’ in your cover image makes the space far more valuable for encouraging people to not only ‘like’ your Page but to return periodically to check out “what’s new”.
For instance:
- sharing specials (20% off this week on)
- promoting specific events
- promoting a special product – free or paid
- include contact info such as your phone number and/or your website
While most Facebook Pages are visited once, at the time we’re deciding whether to like them or not, having the ability to add something a bit juicier to our cover image that might entice people to ‘like’ us, phone us, visit our website, visit our store, sign for our free event, product, ebook or whatever is important.
Guess what I’m going to take care of today?!