Facebook During U.S. Elections

Navigating Facebook can always be nerve-wracking. The algorithms are as capricious as mermaids, moderators are vigilant, and Zuckerberg periodically throws in new surprises like a sea devil. But when the U.S. elections approach, especially the presidential ones, the world of media buying experiences a true "stormy weather," which sweeps away any plans and strategies.

American Elections: A Media Buyer's Headache

Why do U.S. elections impact Facebook operations so much? It all started back in 2016 when Donald Trump's victory in the presidential elections was an unpleasant surprise for many. Facebook was then accused of spreading fake news and manipulating public opinion. After the scandal, Zuckerberg promised to "put things in order" and prevent such situations in the future.

Since then, every U.S. election, whether presidential, Senate, or Congress, is accompanied by "tightening of the screws" on Facebook. An experienced media buyer vividly described this situation:

"During elections, Facebook goes wild. Numerous ads, even the most harmless ones, can be rejected. Fan pages get flagged in batches—only aged Fan Pages are safe. Risk Payments may be imposed, especially if the payment method is overused from public access. Accounts get hit by Policy. Facebook significantly tightens the screws, but there is an upside: if you figure out how to launch under these conditions, the auction is yours because everyone else gets wiped out. Also, traffic becomes more expensive as candidates pour tens of millions of dollars into advertising."

Indeed, algorithms become more sensitive not only to gray but also to white content due to the influx of political ads, and both algorithms and live moderators work with doubled effort, blocking anything that raises even a hint of suspicion. For media buyers, this means mass account bans, ad rejections, payment issues, and an overall drop in campaign efficiency.

Such "stormy weather" can last for several weeks or even months, forcing media buyers to seek alternative ways to run campaigns or even "wait out" this period.

The Storm Isn't Limited to the U.S.: When to Stay Alert

Interestingly, "stormy weather" on Facebook is often observed not only during U.S. elections but also in other countries. For example, many media buyers note increased moderation activity before elections in Europe, Latin America, and other regions. This may be related to the global trend of combating fake news and public opinion manipulation. Or perhaps Facebook is simply being overly cautious to avoid new scandals and accusations.

The next U.S. presidential elections are scheduled for this fall, so a storm on Facebook is just a matter of time. Some media buyers are already noting clear signs of its approach. But don't throw in the towel and wait for it to be over. There are ways to run traffic even in such turbulent periods, the key is to prepare in advance.

How to Survive the Facebook Storm and Not Lose Profit

The Facebook storm is not the end of the world, just another challenge to overcome. Here are a few practical tips to help you "stay afloat" even during the most turbulent periods:

1. Diversify traffic sources. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Test new advertising platforms, consider contextual advertising, native advertising, push notifications. In a recent survey conducted in a niche Telegram channel, at least 17% of participants during the U.S. presidential race plan to use alternative traffic sources.
2. Use agency accounts. Accounts with a positive history and high trust levels from Facebook are less likely to be banned.
3. Choose trusted payment instruments. Use payment systems with a reliable reputation and avoid "gray" payment schemes. Ensure your payment card BINs are clean and don't raise suspicions with Facebook.
4. Be cautious with creatives. During elections, Facebook closely monitors advertising materials. Avoid content that could be perceived as political ads, provocations, or calls for violence.
5. Set precise targeting. Aim your ads strictly at your target audience. This will help reduce the number of non-target clicks and lower the risk of bans.
6. Be prepared for a drop in ROI. During elections, the cost of advertising on Facebook can significantly increase, while conversion rates may drop.
7. Don't give up. Even if your ad campaign is stopped, don't give up. Carefully review the reason for the ban, fix the violation, and try launching the campaign again using more trusted resources.

What Else Do Experienced Media Buyers Recommend to Survive the Election Storm?

Experienced media buyers who have weathered multiple Facebook storms share their life hacks to stay afloat during tough times:

• Launch ads at night. During this period, moderator activity is lower, increasing the chances of successful launches.
• Use proxies from countries with "weak" moderation. For example, in niche chats, media buyers and arbitrageurs recommend using proxies from geos like India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh during storms.
• Run "white" offers before and during the storm. This helps "warm up" the account and increase its trust level with Facebook.

Conclusion: The Storm Will Pass, but Profit Remains

Storms on Facebook are an integral part of a media buyer's life. It's important not to panic, analyze the situation, and adapt your strategy. After all, after every storm, calm inevitably follows, and you can start earning money again.