Facebook Logos In Your Advertising: What’s Legal, What’s Not?

“Like Us on Facebook” is the new “Call Us.” But is your ad legal?

Many people are wondering how they can reference Facebook in their advertising without getting into trouble. Luckily for those who have done it already without knowing the rule, Facebook has a pretty friendly policy for using their name and logo, here it is:

You can make a reference to Facebook (online and offline) to describe your presence on Facebook and your use of our products and services. Your reference must be truthful, and cannot suggest that you are affiliated with, sponsored, or endorsed by Facebook.

So, “Check out our Facebook Page” or “Like Us on Facebook” are good to go. As long as you’re not associating your business with Facebook, and you’re not suggesting Facebook endorses your business in any way.

When using their actual logo, the rules are a bit more complicated.

You cannot use the Facebook “Facebook” logo without their permission, so this is a no-no:

You can use the Facebook “F”. But only in the context that you want to prompt the reader/viewer to connect to your Facebook page.

You can also use the “Like” thumbs-up logo in the same way. But with this exception: You can include it in online ads without further reference, but if you use it in a print ad you must also make a textual reference to Facebook.

Facebook does allow re-sizing of their logos, but you cannot alter the logo in any other way.

For ALL the rules, Facebook has a pretty easy guide to follow here: Facebook Brand Resource Center

Facebook has brought people together like never before…and the last time I checked—it was still free. The last time I checked, they also had billions of dollars to pursue litigation—so the proper use of their assets will always be important to them, and should be important to your business as well.