Facebook disabled my account

[Doglover]

for no reason whatsoever! I just went onto my ads manager last week and got a message saying my ads account has been disabled. I tried the chat thing with a so-called business rep who was as much use as a chocolate teapot. At the end of a chat which wasted a couple of hours of my time, during which the idiot knew nothing, facebook had the nerve to leave a message that it would mean a lot to them if I filled in a survey. It would mean a lot to me if they reinstated my account, I said.

Then yesterday, I got an email from a business rep (not the same one) telling me she could help me optimise my ads if I scheduled a telephone call. I don't have any ads to bloody optimise! I replied in that vein but I've scheduled the meeting anyway. You'd think they'd check these things before sending out emails, wouldn't you?

Anyway, if anyone else has been disabled for no reason, be aware that you are not alone. Many people on my various groups are suffering the same injustice, for which there seems no remedy other than to start a new page and start all the ads again. I have over 2000 likes and comments on my ads, which I will lose.

Facebook sucks!     

[LilyBLily]

Sorry to hear this. I hope it gets sorted quickly. It has happened to so many people of late that one wonders if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing--or why? Could it be a software glitch?

Someone was pointing out the other day that FB is now a public company, which means somewhere it's got to be accountable to people beyond Zuckerberg, e.g., the stockholders. Shutting ads doesn't earn FB anything. Just a thought.

[Doglover]

Sorry to hear this. I hope it gets sorted quickly. It has happened to so many people of late that one wonders if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing--or why? Could it be a software glitch?

Someone was pointing out the other day that FB is now a public company, which means somewhere it's got to be accountable to people beyond Zuckerberg, e.g., the stockholders. Shutting ads doesn't earn FB anything. Just a thought.

They are losing a lot of money by cutting off authors like this. I posted some new ads using a new page this afternoon and lo and behold, they did the same thing as the very first time I advertised with them. My six book series is about the 'brutal reign of Bloody Mary'. That came straight back because bloody Mary is alcohol! Absolute twaddle.

I don't do well with other advertising avenues. Amazon ads do nothing for me, Bookbub ads went nowhere. I hate to admit that I need Facebook, but I do. They have also changed things so that you can't change some of the placement options. I don't want Instagram but I can't untick it; I don't want right column, marketplace, or video, but I'm stuck with them. Anyone would think it was their money!

[R. C.]

FB disabled my account a couple of years ago. It was a PAIN to get back. I was persistent, finally getting someone on the phone who understood their BOTs flagged something incorrectly.

If I remember correctly, it took a week or ten days for the login to work.

Lesson: I check closely for anything that might be close to a violation of their "terms of service."

Translation: I do not trust their scanning BOTs. Ever.

re: "Amazon ads do nothing for me, Bookbub ads went nowhere. I hate to admit that I need Facebook, but I do."

Agreed, 100%. The marketing platforms are tuned, and continue to be re-tuned, to support the highest bidders and the largest sellers. Consequently, the entry cost for us lowly wanna-be types is increasing exponentially.

Cheers,
R.C.

[Doglover]

FB disabled my account a couple of years ago. It was a PAIN to get back. I was persistent, finally getting someone on the phone who understood their BOTs flagged something incorrectly.

If I remember correctly, it took a week or ten days for the login to work.

Lesson: I check closely for anything that might be close to a violation of their "terms of service."

Translation: I do not trust their scanning BOTs. Ever.

re: "Amazon ads do nothing for me, Bookbub ads went nowhere. I hate to admit that I need Facebook, but I do."

Agreed, 100%. The marketing platforms are tuned, and continue to be re-tuned, to support the highest bidders and the largest sellers. Consequently, the entry cost for us lowly wanna-be types is increasing exponentially.

Cheers,
R.C.

Their scanning bots think Bloody Mary must be an alcoholic drink and don't even bother with the rest of the sentence. They asked for ID, which they could have done in an email without disabling my account, and I sent them a copy of my driving licence. Anyway, I have some ads going on my new page, but I have had my author page for years. I've had it so long, it didn't even accept anything but US dollars when I started and I've carried on doing everything in dollars. Now this new one is using pounds sterling, which is fine, as I am English, but something else to get used to.

[Rod Little]

If you check the /FacebookAds reddit forum, you'll see that about 50% of all accounts were recently disabled. Most of this is to verify that you are a human (not a fake acct) and that you are who you say you are. Most people need to upload ID and a screenshot of their account to prove they are not hackers from Gezhenzhia. FB had recently been attacked by fake Russ accts, they claim. Why a hacker would want to advertise your books ... is beyond me! but, it seems they think so.

About 20% are from real problems (alcohol, guns, anything that kicks out). Keep in mind, the world's 3rd most profitable company doesn't bother to employ humans. It's almost all run by algorithms. Computers are deciding if you've made a bad advert. It takes about 3 weeks, but most accounts get restarted. Of course, then your ads are broken and you need to start over.

Such is life.
Even though my account is not disabled, I've started looking for alternatives to FB. They're unstable and could disable any acct at any time. Some have reports 8+ disruptions in the past year.

Alternative ads are hard to find. Running ads in genre magazine did well for me (expensive, though).  Still exploring Bing/MS ad network, Google and other avenues.

[Doglover]

If you check the /FacebookAds reddit forum, you'll see that about 50% of all accounts were recently disabled. Most of this is to verify that you are a human (not a fake acct) and that you are who you say you are. Most people need to upload ID and a screenshot of their account to prove they are not hackers from Gezhenzhia. FB had recently been attacked by fake Russ accts, they claim. Why a hacker would want to advertise your books ... is beyond me! but, it seems they think so.

About 20% are from real problems (alcohol, guns, anything that kicks out). Keep in mind, the world's 3rd most profitable company doesn't bother to employ humans. It's almost all run by algorithms. Computers are deciding if you've made a bad advert. It takes about 3 weeks, but most accounts get restarted. Of course, then your ads are broken and you need to start over.

Such is life.
Even though my account is not disabled, I've started looking for alternatives to FB. They're unstable and could disable any acct at any time. Some have reports 8+ disruptions in the past year.

Alternative ads are hard to find. Running ads in genre magazine did well for me (expensive, though).  Still exploring Bing/MS ad network, Google and other avenues.

I received an email from Facebook asking me if I would like to make a telephone appointment with a representative who could advise me about how to optimise my ads. Since I don't have any ads and can't post any, I thought I'd make the appointment. She rang me and I read her the riot act (not personal) and told her that if I went into a shop I've been using for years and they slammed t he door in my face and said 'sorry, don't want you anymore' I certainly wouldn't be using that shop again.

I told her it was no way to run a multi million dollar business and if t hey wanted ID they could have asked in an email; if I had violated any policies, as they said, they could also tell me about that in an email.

Anyway, she said she was marketing but would try to get the message across. That same afternoon, I got an apology from Facebook and they reinstated my account.

I am going to dig deep into Amazon ads, but I've never had much luck with them in the past.

[Simon Haynes]

I gave up on FB ads recently, after trying again for a while. They get results, sure, but I'm not putting up with all this extra admin work.

Instead, I'm concentrating on occasional promo stacks for series starters temporarily reduced to 99c.  At least those are targeted to people who want to buy 99c books - at least, that's my take on it.

[Rod Little]

I gave up on FB ads recently, after trying again for a while. They get results, sure, but I'm not putting up with all this extra admin work.

Instead, I'm concentrating on occasional promo stacks for series starters temporarily reduced to 99c.  At least those are targeted to people who want to buy 99c books - at least, that's my take on it.

FB is only for people buying full price (7.99 to 9.99 books, or higher). Otherwise the ad cost is too high (you'll never make money with a discount deal there), and FB people aren't bargain hunting. They're also not BOOK hunting, so you need to grab their attention. I do pretty well with my 7.99 titles, but I'll agree with you - the admin work is a hassle and dealing with the Overlord is a bit annoying and unstable. I'm winding my FB ads down to 33% of my budget and working on other routes. I don't do .99 deals anymore, so I need to find new avenues of reaching people.

[Doglover]

I gave up on FB ads recently, after trying again for a while. They get results, sure, but I'm not putting up with all this extra admin work.

Instead, I'm concentrating on occasional promo stacks for series starters temporarily reduced to 99c.  At least those are targeted to people who want to buy 99c books - at least, that's my take on it.

FB is only for people buying full price (7.99 to 9.99 books, or higher). Otherwise the ad cost is too high (you'll never make money with a discount deal there), and FB people aren't bargain hunting. They're also not BOOK hunting, so you need to grab their attention. I do pretty well with my 7.99 titles, but I'll agree with you - the admin work is a hassle and dealing with the Overlord is a bit annoying and unstable. I'm winding my FB ads down to 33% of my budget and working on other routes. I don't do .99 deals anymore, so I need to find new avenues of reaching people.

I've never had much luck with Amazon ads, but I'll give them another go. I'm looking into Bookbub ads as, so we shall see.

[R. C.]

.... Otherwise the ad cost is too high (you'll never make money with a discount deal there), and FB people aren't bargain hunting. They're also not BOOK hunting, so you need to grab their attention....

I used to agree with the statement, not sure I continue to support the idea FB is too costly. Using short video ADs to "grab attention" and a maniacal attention to setup, budget, CPC, and spend, Using well defined audiences, I have developed a strategy. I am able to push impressions and pull clicks at a very low CPC.

Cheers,
R.C.

[Rod Little]

R.C., can I ask your average CPC?  Mine used to be .12 but lately I rarely get cheaper than .23 per click.

[R. C.]

R.C., can I ask your average CPC?  Mine used to be .12 but lately I rarely get cheaper than .23 per click.

There are some outliers with a CTR over 30% and a CPC of $.01.

Here is a sample from the higher end but is consistent over time: CTR - 13.27%  CPC - $0.03 CPM $3.70

Those numbers apply to a 15 second video AD. For those interested, the average watch time is over 80% across all video ADs with the current ADs running 96.92%. 

Which means, I am getting eyeballs. Hopefully, they will turn into sales.

Cheers,
R.C.

One other note: This month, the ADs link to my website and a preview using 'Zon's connection links. I provide links to other vendors on my site. Not sure a two-click process is prudent. If it does not pull sales, I will revert to directly linking to 'Zon from the AD.

[TimothyEllis]

For those interested, the average watch time is over 80% across all video ADs with the current ADs running 96.92%. 

My watch rate for ads turning up in my FB feed is 5%.

My deletion and permanent block of ads in my FB feed is 100%.

The same is true of FB "suggestions".

I find Facebook's bombarding of me with ads I'm never in a million years going to be interested in is becoming annoying.

[R. C.]

For those interested, the average watch time is over 80% across all video ADs with the current ADs running 96.92%. 

My watch rate for ads turning up in my FB feed is 5%.

My deletion and permanent block of ads in my FB feed is 100%.

The same is true of FB "suggestions".

I find Facebook's bombarding of me with ads I'm never in a million years going to be interested in is becoming annoying.

Understood. AD blockers run on all my devices all the time.  The key to catching eyeballs is two fold. One: the "grab" is something that MUST catch the viewer's attention in under two seconds. I strive for under one second.  Two: Assume (I have data to prove) 80% or more of the views are on a phone. The AD MUST fit on the phone and be easily seen/read.

Note: For integration with the FB pixel, ADs fitted to Instagram as now a requirement. Otherwise, you lose the "grab."

Cheers,
R.C.

[Rod Little]

I haven't tried video for a long time. It got me cheap views but didn't convert. Now I use 1 static image, which seems to work best for me. The image gets their attention and they read the blurb above it. Images have a higher cost than vdo. If I'm lucky I get CPC of .12 to .19 but lately .23  However, about 10% of those convert to a sale. With video it was about 1% (or less).
That's with me, but others may have different/better results. It may depend on genre, as well.

[R. C.]

.... It got me cheap views but didn't convert....It may depend on genre, as well.

Agreed, video can be lots of views at a lower cost. Classic splash marketing. For me, with almost no following, everything is an option to generate sales.

I think genre is a factor but, more so, the audience definition is the key. Define the audience to fit the genre and conversations follow.

As far as I can tell, cross marketing a genre in social media is pointless. In KDP Advertising, the cost to stay inside/close the genre has become oppressive. Which is why you see all the "sales talk vids and papers" pushing to drill down on the categories.  The goal is to find a deep category where the competition is less severe and, therefore, less costly to market. 

But, the rub is a rash. Drilling down does not equate to the correct eyeballs (placements). Your AD could appear next to doggie diapers. Which, of course, is its own literary genre.

Cheers,
R.C.

[DonDeBon]

I had this happen a few years ago.  No warning just *poof* disabled and I had to submit several different kinds of ID to them.  Well I don't TRUST them enough to give them copies of my drivers licence or passport.  I have seen how they leak data worse than the Titanic did, forget it.  I gave up for a while, then eventually did create another account.  But I did so with the knowledge it would likely get killed at any moment and not to depend on it.

And I no longer do.  I post a couple of things to it on occasion when a new book comes out for example.  And I used it to access some groups that are only on facebook, but in either case if I have to create another account it is no big deal if it gets killed.  I would only have to to rejoin those groups again etc since that is all I use it for.  It is no longer a key point of my platform and never will be again.

[Doglover]

I had this happen a few years ago.  No warning just *poof* disabled and I had to submit several different kinds of ID to them.  Well I don't TRUST them enough to give them copies of my drivers licence or passport.  I have seen how they leak data worse than the Titanic did, forget it.  I gave up for a while, then eventually did create another account.  But I did so with the knowledge it would likely get killed at any moment and not to depend on it.

And I no longer do.  I post a couple of things to it on occasion when a new book comes out for example.  And I used it to access some groups that are only on facebook, but in either case if I have to create another account it is no big deal if it gets killed.  I would only have to to rejoin those groups again etc since that is all I use it for.  It is no longer a key point of my platform and never will be again.

It wasn't my personal account they disabled, it was my advertising account. That's the daft thing and exactly what I said to the Facebook rep I eventually spoke to: I am paying them, not the other way round. Disabling accounts that are spending a couple of thousand pounds a month for no reason, is no way to run a multi million dollar business.

I do better with Facebook than anywhere else, but I've stuck a toe into Amazon again, having sat through several of Mark Dawson's course videos about it. We shall see.

[DonDeBon]

I had this happen a few years ago.  No warning just *poof* disabled and I had to submit several different kinds of ID to them.  Well I don't TRUST them enough to give them copies of my drivers licence or passport.  I have seen how they leak data worse than the Titanic did, forget it.  I gave up for a while, then eventually did create another account.  But I did so with the knowledge it would likely get killed at any moment and not to depend on it.

And I no longer do.  I post a couple of things to it on occasion when a new book comes out for example.  And I used it to access some groups that are only on facebook, but in either case if I have to create another account it is no big deal if it gets killed.  I would only have to to rejoin those groups again etc since that is all I use it for.  It is no longer a key point of my platform and never will be again.

It wasn't my personal account they disabled, it was my advertising account. That's the daft thing and exactly what I said to the Facebook rep I eventually spoke to: I am paying them, not the other way round. Disabling accounts that are spending a couple of thousand pounds a month for no reason, is no way to run a multi million dollar business.

I do better with Facebook than anywhere else, but I've stuck a toe into Amazon again, having sat through several of Mark Dawson's course videos about it. We shall see.

It wasn't mine either.  And I certainly didn't violate any TOS.  Never did find out why they killed it in the first place.  I'm glad you got yours back.  And I couldn't agree more it is no way to run a business, but that is Facebook for you.  They are known for doing this and I doubt it will ever change.  In the end I suspect they think they are too big and don't care.  Which is a mistake, anyone can fall no matter how big.

[LilyBLily]

"In the end I suspect they think they are too big and don't care.  Which is a mistake, anyone can fall no matter how big."

Agreed. Everything has its arc.

[Jeff Tanyard]

"In the end I suspect they think they are too big and don't care.  Which is a mistake, anyone can fall no matter how big."

Agreed. Everything has its arc.

The companies that are multiple centuries old are interesting precisely because they're so rare.  Zildjian and Beretta are a couple of examples, both family-owned.

[LilyBLily]

We've got some Zildjian cymbals. The best.

In the U.S. it's hard to get the third generation interested in keeping up the family business. The second generation is more likely to, but depending on how successful the originators are, that generation might be a batch of wastrels or simply big spenders who do nothing to grow the business. The third generation isn't interested at all. That's why the saying, "Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations."

It happened in my family and I know of others that went that way, too. 

[Jeff Tanyard]

We've got some Zildjian cymbals. The best.

I agree.  I'm not a drummer, but I've had friends who were, and they preferred Zildjian.   

In the U.S. it's hard to get the third generation interested in keeping up the family business. The second generation is more likely to, but depending on how successful the originators are, that generation might be a batch of wastrels or simply big spenders who do nothing to grow the business. The third generation isn't interested at all. That's why the saying, "Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations."

It happened in my family and I know of others that went that way, too.

Yep.  It's the norm.  Most family fortunes don't last more than three or four generations.  And that assumes outside factors like war, natural disaster, and economic collapse don't bring sudden ruin to those who are otherwise responsible with their money.