Maddening communication with Facebook ADs support

[Thor]

So I had a blog post I wanted to promote with Facebook ADs. Right off the bat it was declined for something I think a bot picked up, since its looking for certain keywords, so I figured well I should just contact support and have it cleared up.

Here's the back and forth, enjoy the maddening "support" from them!

START READING FROM BOTTOM UP

3:51 AM (6 hours ago)

to me
Hi Thor,

Thanks for writing in.

I understand your concern and appreciate your feedback but unfortunately, we cannot make an exception to this rule.

Thanks,

Anna
Facebook Ads Team
Facebook

-
To: Facebook
Subject: Re: Why wasn't my ad approved?

So I cannot comment on what happened? And speak to how unhealthy that is?


On Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 1:30 PM, The Facebook Ads Team <
sales-support+xs3gmqs.aeavuvttplwik@...t.facebook.com> wrote:

> Hi Thor,
>
> Thanks for writing in. The text "lost an astonishing 60% of her body
> weight in only 6 months. " violates the guidelines. I apologize for the
> inconvenience you are currently facing.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Anna
> Facebook Ads Team
> Facebook
>
> -----Original Message-----
> > To: Facebook
> Subject: Re: Why wasn't my ad approved?
>
> But I am not breaking any rule. How can me commenting on what happened on
> bigget loser finale be considered promoting or promising unrealistic
> resluts.
>
> Because I am doing neither.
> On 14 Feb 2014 13:55, "The Facebook Ads Team" <
> sales-support+xs3gmqs.aeavuvttpiy2w@...t.facebook.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi Thor,
> >
> >
> > Thanks for writing in. I understand your concern and appreciate your
> > feedback but unfortunately, we cannot make an exception to this rule. I
> > apologize for the inconvenience you are currently facing.
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Anna
> > Facebook Ads Team
> > Facebook
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > > > To: Facebook
> > Subject: Re: Why wasn't my ad approved?
> >
> > The only thing that refers to weight loss is this:
> >
> > "The biggest one right now is the discussion about the former contestant
> > from the Australian version telling the world about some behind the
> scenes
> > tricks and of course the recent winner of Biggest Loser USA where she
> lost
> > an astonishing 60% of her body weight in only 6 months."
> >
> > Which is me commenting on what the biggest loser US winner did and I was
> > commenting on how unhealthy that was.
> >
> > I'm completely confused as to what "unrealistic or false outcomes" has
> > anything to do with my blog on my wall.
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 12:24 PM, Thor Jonsson <
> > >wrote:
> >
> > > But no where do I promote that. Did you read the ad?
> > >
> > >
> > > On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 12:23 PM, The Facebook Ads Team <
> > > sales-support+xs3gmqs.aeavuvttpicqq@...t.facebook.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hi Thor,
> > >>
> > >> Thanks for writing in. I'm here to help.
> > >>
> > >> Your ad was rejected because it violates the Ad Guidelines. Ads may
> not
> > >> promote unrealistic results or false outcomes (ex: lose 25 lbs in 25
> > days).
> > >> I understand your concern and appreciate your feedback but
> > unfortunately,
> > >> we cannot make an exception to this rule.
> > >>
> > >> To resubmit your ad, edit the text from your Ads Manager.
> > >>
> > >> Review the policies here:
> > >> https://www.facebook.com/help/199766486817238/?ref=cr
> > >>
> > >> Thanks,
> > >>
> > >> Anna
> > >> Facebook Ads Team
> > >> Facebook
> > >>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >>
> > >> To:
> > >> Subject: Why wasn't my ad approved?
> > >>
> > >> What was your ad disapproved for?: targeting
> > >> Please describe your question related to your ad that wasn't approved:
> > >> There is no mention of any such unrealistic results or false outcomes.
> > >> Please review again!
> > >> Please paste the URL of the ad that wasn't approved below:
> > >> https://www.facebook.com/AframThor/p...39087879555161
> > >> Email Address:
> > >> Please submit the email/notification you received about why the ad
> > wasn't
> > >> approved: Reason(s):
> > >> Your ad wasn't approved because it promises specific, unrealistic
> > results
> > >> or false outcomes, such as "Lose 25 lbs in 25 days," "Earn $200,000
> in a
> > >> year," etc.
> > >> Before resubmitting your ad, please visit the Help Center to learn
> more
> > >> and see examples of ads that meet our guidelines.
> > >> If you've read the guidelines in the Help Center and think your ad
> > >> follows the rules and should have been approved, please let us know.
> > >>
> > >> -----End Original Message-----
> > >>
> > >>

[Thor]

Oh here's the blog I wrote:

Since the Biggest Loser Iceland has brought about so much discussion, most of it positive, but some of it negative I wanted to discuss a few issues being brought up on social media, and on various news sites here in Iceland.

The biggest one right now is the discussion about the former contestant from the Australian version telling the world about some behind the scenes tricks and of course the recent winner of Biggest Loser USA where she lost an astonishing 60% of her body weight in only 6 months.

I can only speak on my experience here, but I want everyone to know that firstly the weekly weigh in was exactly 7 days apart, no tricks, no gimmicks and nothing being asked of us contestants to bring down our weight every week other than eating healthy, working out, and getting our sleep.

As for the USA winner, I have the same reaction as most people, I worry that the end result was not healthy. I'm not a fitness expert, but that amount of weight loss in such a short time can't be healthy, and I only hope she can find health and keeps it for good.

The producers and crew went out of their way to promote health first and took all our health concerns very seriously. Nothing is perfect the first time around, but I have no complaints after my experience and I came into the show worrying we would be asked to do things that were not healthy, or that the show would show us in a negative light. After 3 episodes I am thrilled to see not only is that not the case, but that I think this show can be a great motivator for people.

If nothing, this show is creating a lot of discussion here in Iceland about health, about diet, and about the psychological side of this which is a great thing.

As for fat shaming or the show being about putting us down for ratings is nonsense. Both our trainers care a great deal for each of us, yes they are not perfect and you may not agree with everything you see, but the ultimate goal was always first and foremost about safe, healthy exercise with healthy eating, nothing complicated. I think any trainer asked to be on this show would have seen some ridicule and you have to always remember you only see a tiny percent of what happens daily at Ásbrú.

The most positive part of this experience for me outside of weight loss is the impact it has had on my confidence, my energy, my sleep, and my happiness. I see people inspired by what they see on this show and for all its faults, you get what you see on the Icelandic version, no tricks, no script, just real people struggling to find their way back to health. I see people around me at work, on the street who seem very excited about the show and I have heard of plenty of people who are getting into shape because this show helped inspire them to change their habits.

[Devils'Advocate]

What is "Facebook Ads"? Sounds like Anna is none too bright.

Speaking of none-too-bright, I was at an indoor track on Friday afternoon and wanted to run a half marathon. I had been to the web page for the track and it boasted that it was a 400 meter track, longest indoor running track in Canada. The track is 6 concentric ovals. So I asked at the desk what the length was of each lane. She replied "It's a 400 meter track".

Okay. Undaunted, I pressed on. "Okay, which track is 400 meters?"

"All of them."

[KTrain]

You're probably better off not using Facebook ads anyway:

[Thor]

My ads have been targetted for Iceland, and I have only received likes from Icelandic people, maybe we can get away with this since we are so small.

[Dan02]

I'd just resubmit the exact same thing see what happens.

[CaramonLS]

I do a lot of targeted Facebook Ads - I do like the product, however, their limiters are pretty archaic. You can't even advertise directly to half of the colleges or schools in Canada, even if those colleges have Facebook pages with extremely high numbers of likes.

I'd easily double my spend if I could get better targeting options.

[Turner]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

What is "Facebook Ads"? Sounds like Anna is none too bright.

Speaking of none-too-bright, I was at an indoor track on Friday afternoon and wanted to run a half marathon. I had been to the web page for the track and it boasted that it was a 400 meter track, longest indoor running track in Canada. The track is 6 concentric ovals. So I asked at the desk what the length was of each lane. She replied "It's a 400 meter track".

Okay. Undaunted, I pressed on. "Okay, which track is 400 meters?"

"All of them."

Usually they have the length of each track clearly marked at the start line. Try there next time.

[BloodFetish]

Thor, you should remove the email address from your original post before it gets harvested