2024 Comprehensive Guide to Digital Political Ad Policies

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital advertising and the 2024 election right around the corner, understanding the specific rules governing political ads is crucial for marketers and advertisers aiming to engage audiences on major online platforms. Each platform has its own set of guidelines that can significantly impact the strategy and execution of political campaigns. This guide provides an in-depth look at the political advertising policies of platforms such as LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google, and YouTube. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or a political campaign manager, navigating these policies effectively can make a substantial difference in your campaign’s reach and compliance.

Snapchat: Guidelines for Political Advertising

Can you run political ads on Snapchat? Yes, political advertising is allowed on Snapchat but it must be transparent, lawful, and appropriate for users. All political ads must include a “paid for by” message and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

• Transparent Political Ads Required: Snapchat allows political ads but they must be transparent, lawful, and appropriate for users.
• Verification and Disclosures: Advertisers must include a “paid for by” disclosure and comply with all applicable laws.
• Positive Tone Encouraged: While political ads are allowed, Snapchat encourages a positive tone and discourages “attack” ads.
• No Misrepresentation: Ads must not impersonate any person or entity, or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity.

Snapchat Political Advertising Policy HERE

Reddit: Political Advertising at the Federal Level

Can you run political ads on Reddit? Yes, but only at the federal level in the United States and with several restrictions. Advertisers must have their candidate or representative participate in an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit before placing ads, and all political advertisers need to be certified.

• Limited Political Ads: Political ads are allowed in the US at the federal level only, with certification and a pre-ad AMA session required.
• Strict Compliance: Ads must include AMA links and adhere to Reddit’s transparency and content policies.
• Transparency Subreddit: Information about political ad purchases must be publicly disclosed in Reddit’s transparency subreddit.
• Targeting Restrictions: Political ads may not target audiences by zip code or gender and must follow Reddit’s targeting guidelines.

Reddit Political Advertising Policy HERE

X (Formerly Known as Twitter): Navigating Political Ad Regulations

Can you run political ads on X (Formerly Known as Twitter)? Political ads are permitted in specific countries listed in X’s policies. Advertisers in these countries must undergo a certification process and ensure their ads comply with local legal requirements.

• Country-Specific Policies: Political ads are allowed only in specific countries with detailed restrictions and compliance requirements.
• Verification and Certification: Advertisers must be certified and include appropriate disclaimers in ads.
• News Exemption: News publishers can promote content related to political events but must not include advocacy for or against these topics.
• Public Access to Ad Information: Through their transparency tools, X provides public access to details about political ads, including expenditures and targeting data.

X Political Advertising Policy HERE

Facebook (Meta): Guide to Political Ads

Can you run political ads on Facebook? Yes, but advertisers must undergo an authorization process and ensure that all ads about social issues, elections, or politics include a clear disclaimer provided by the authorized entity. Unauthorized ads will be disapproved and added to the Ad Library for transparency.

• Ad Authorization Required: Ads about social issues, elections, or politics require authorization and must include disclaimers.
• Strict Monitoring and Compliance: Unauthorized ads will be disapproved and added to the Ad Library.
• Regional Variations: Facebook’s ad authorization requirements vary significantly from country to country, reflecting local legal and cultural conditions.
• Ad Library Access: All political ads, whether approved or disapproved, are stored in the Facebook Ad Library for seven years, providing transparency and historical data access.

Facebook Political Advertising Policy HERE

Instagram and Threads (Meta): Political Content & Ad Policies

Can you run political ads on Instagram and Threads? Political content can be advertised on Instagram and Threads, but account authorization and compliance with specific guidelines are required to ensure authenticity. The platforms do not proactively recommend political content unless users opt-in.

• No Proactive Recommendations: Political content is not proactively recommended on Instagram and Threads.
• Account Authorization: Advertisers need account authorization for ads about social issues, elections, or politics.
• Professional Accounts: Professional accounts posting political content can check their eligibility to be recommended through the Account Status feature.
• Recommendation Settings: Users can manage settings to opt into or out of receiving recommended posts about political content.

Instagram and Threads Advertising Policy HERE.

Google and YouTube: Political Ad Requirements and Restrictions

Can you run political ads on Google and YouTube? Yes, but there are significant restrictions. Advertisers need to be verified to run election ads in specific regions, and there are strict rules about ad targeting and disclosure requirements to maintain transparency and compliance with electoral laws.

• Verification for Election Ads: Advertisers must be verified to run election ads in certain regions, with strict disclosure requirements.
• Restricted Ad Targeting: Targeting options for election ads are limited to geographic location, age, and gender.
• Regional Ad Restrictions: The ability to run election ads and the specific requirements can vary greatly depending on the region.
• Synthetic Content Disclosure: Advertisers must clearly disclose if their ads include synthetic content that inauthentically depicts people or events, ensuring transparency.

Google Political Advertising Policy HERE

Digital Platform Ad Policy Comparison

Platforms With a Complete Ban on Political Advertising

LinkedIn

Can you run political ads on LinkedIn? No, political ads are prohibited on LinkedIn. This includes ads advocating for or against any political candidate, party, ballot proposition, or ads intended to influence an election outcome, as well as ads that exploit sensitive political issues.

• Political Ads Prohibited: LinkedIn does not allow political ads, including those advocating for or against candidates, parties, or ballot propositions.
• Sensitive Issues: Even non-political ads that exploit sensitive political issues are prohibited.
• Strict Enforcement: LinkedIn actively monitors and removes any ads that violate these political advertising rules.

LinkedIn Political Advertising Policy HERE

TikTok

Can you run political ads on TikTok? No, TikTok does not allow any political content in advertisements. This policy extends to all advertisers, including political organizations and individuals expressing political views, though some exceptions exist for government organizations under specific circumstances.

• No Political Content: TikTok bans all forms of political advertising and content, including merchandise featuring political symbols or slogans.
• Exceptions for Government Ads: Ads from official government organizations promoting public initiatives like health campaigns may be allowed under strict conditions.
• Non-Political Entities: Even non-political organizations cannot express political views in their ads.
• Merchandise Ban: Merchandise that features political figures, symbols, or slogans is strictly prohibited.

TikTok Political Advertising Policy HERE

Pinterest

Can you run political ads on Pinterest? No, Pinterest does not permit advertising that involves the election or defeat of political candidates, political parties, or action committees, nor does it allow ads about political issues intended to influence an election.

• No Political Campaigning: Pinterest prohibits ads related to the election or defeat of political candidates, political parties, or action committees.
• Legislation and Ballot Initiatives: Ads concerning legislation, referendums, or ballot initiatives are not allowed.
• Merchandise Prohibition: No merchandise related to political campaigns, candidates, or parties can be advertised.

Pinterest Political Advertising Policy HERE