A few months ago, whispers about a test that would change the way brands advertise on Facebook started spreading.
According to the rumors, the social network was considering doing away with the “20% text rule”. The rule showed the amount of text allowed on ad images. It’s a guideline that’s caused advertisers on the platform much frustration, and many times a lot of additional work (so much so that people have devised ways to beat the system).
In a blog post, Facebook marketer Mike Gingerich said the following say about the rule:
“I’m not able to print 20% of the bad words I’ve said while trying to create Facebook Ads without using Facebook image representations. Using the word ‘Facebook,’ and making sure the text stays under that percentage.”
Industry insider Jon Loomer isn’t a big fan of the 20% text guideline either:
“First of all, Facebook’s 20% rule that applies to the amount of text that can appear within images of News Feed ads is stupid and poorly enforced, it’s inconsistent and ridiculous that it applies to link thumbnail images. Did I mention that I hate it?”
If you’re like Mike and Jon, you’ll be happy to know the rumors are true — Facebook did officially get rid of the rule for good.
Time to rejoice, right?
Not quite.
The old Facebook 20% text rule
Until recently, Facebook advertisers could cover their ad images with no more than 20% text. To adhere to guidelines, those who paid for reach on the platform were forced to use a Facebook tool that divided ad images with a 25-rectangle grid (it’s since been replaced with a different tool, but more on that later). Ad image text that took up more than 20% of the rectangles wasn't allowed to run.
The tool was largely ineffective and depended on the position of the text more than it did the amount of text:
The main issue with the ad text image is noisiness and news feed saturation. When any of Facebook’s 1.65 billion users log into the platform, their networks share an average of 1,500 stories per day. That’s 1,500 posts the social network’s algorithm has to prioritize in your news feed.
Do you want to see the sonogram of your coworker’s baby or the video of your cousin surfing the waves of San Diego? Would you rather read your mom’s politically charged status update or marvel at the watercolor self-portrait your friend just finished?
You don’t get to decide; Facebook’s algorithm does. And somewhere in there, it needs to make room for advertisers. That’s when text overlay on ad images comes into play.
The importance of text on Facebook ad images
If you want people to interact with your ad, you first have to get them to notice it. As we scroll through our Facebook feeds, quickly scanning for posts we want to consume, it’s the ones containing bright, colorful imagery that stop our index finger in its tracks.
This should come as no surprise, considering research conducted almost 40 years ago indicates that we tend to notice images and headlines on a page first. Then read bolded words after that, and consume block text last.
To take advantage of our natural attraction to images, many Facebook advertisers add CTAs to their ad photos, and compelling words like “free,” “you,” and “limited-time offer,” knowing they’ll be read more often than the actual post text.
Here’s an example from WordStream:
The ability of posts like these to grab users’ attention is more important now than ever following Facebook’s announcement that its news feed algorithm will be changed yet again to favor friends’ content over advertisers.’
Not all advertisers agree
While many industry authorities cite using text overlay as a great way to draw social media users to a Facebook ad (including ourselves), the team over at SketchDeck, say that more text on an ad image actually plummets CTR.
After testing 48 Facebook ads to bust 6 marketing myths, here’s what they found:
The results go against everything industry insiders tell us. An ad that didn’t clearly display its value proposition using text overlay should perform better than one that did. Similarly, flashy text that reads “Free” or “Limited-time offer” should turn us off.
The SketchDeck team has a guess:
“We think the ads with text overlaid looked, well, like ads. Users saw the text or call to action, registered it as an ad, and then moved on. One of Facebook's tips is that an ad image should not look out of place in the news feed, many users are plastering text across the images that they posts.”
Maybe that’s the reason.
However, that doesn’t mean they’re altogether worthless. In fact, a recent update from a Facebook representative suggests the complete opposite.
The new Facebook text overlay rule
Not long ago, Facebook Product Marketing Manager, Afsheen Ali, reached out to Jon Loomer to officially address the rumors regarding the 20% text rule:
“Our research has shown that people demonstrate a preference for ads with less text. Previously, if 20% of an ad image’s area was text, it was not approved to run on Facebook, Instagram, or the Audience Network. Some advertisers think this can be confusing, as it’s not always clear that an ad does not meet the policy requirements until after creative has been submitted. Facebook is shifting to a new solution to improve this experience which allows advertisers more flexibility while still allowing us to maintain an enjoyable experience for people.”
This looks like a win-win at first glance. But, in reality, the 20% rule hasn’t changed that much at all.
Under Facebook’s new guidelines, an ad isn't outright rejected if it contains more than 20% text, but it will have its reach limited — in some cases significantly. Instead of using a “run or reject” system, Facebook will now categorize your ad according to the following ratings:
With Facebook’s new text overlay tool, you can upload an image to see what the chances are it will have its reach restricted. We put a couple of our own images to the test...
They passed with flying colors.
Determined to find out, we took a screenshot of one of our post-click landing pages for our new and improved post-click landing page optimization resource and uploaded it. It’s almost entirely text:
Still, we only managed to reach Facebook’s “Low” text rating:
These examples showcase what will and will not come under the new rule:
OK Image Text
Low Image Text
Medium Image Text
Image Text: High
The following are exceptions, and DO NOT count as text on your ad image:
- Infographics
- Book/Album covers
- Full Product images
- Posters for movies, festivals, sporting events, and shows
- Legal text
- App screenshots
- Cartoon and comic strips
- Text-based business calligraphy
These, on the other hand, DO count as text on your image:
- Numbers
- Text-based logos
- Watermarks, regardless of whether or not their usage is mandatory
Should you still limit your image ad text?
Facebook says their users prefer ads with little to no text. Since Facebook controls ad reach and campaign cost on its platform. It’s wise to follow the new rule — which doesn’t offer as much flexibility as they’d have you believe.
Think about your unique selling proposition. What’s going to draw your users in? Overlaying text like “free,” “you,” “new,” and “instantly.” Use it wisely and sparingly, and your ads will continue to run with maximum reach and at minimum CPC.
Always connect all your ads to personalized post-click landing pages to lower your cost per customer acquisition. Start creating your dedicated post-click pages by signing up for an Instapage demo today.
