Meta has reminded advertisers that it will once again pause new political and social issues advertising in the final week before the U.S. midterm elections. The restriction period begins on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and runs through Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day.
What the Restriction Means for Advertisers
Under the policy, no new ads about social issues, elections or politics can start running in the United States during this window. Ads that delivered at least one impression before 12:01 AM PT on Oct. 27 may continue, but advertisers will have limited control over them. They can change bids, budgets and scheduled end dates, and pause or unpause ads. Edits to creative, placement, targeting and optimization are not allowed.
Meta says the pause gives the public a break from campaign messaging and helps prevent last-minute tactics aimed at swaying voters. Several other media outlets follow similar practices around elections.
Which Ads Are Covered
The rules apply to ads placed by or on behalf of candidates for public office, political figures or political action groups. Meta’s list of social issues topics in the U.S. is broad. It covers civil and social rights, crime, the economy, education, environmental politics, guns, health, immigration, political values and governance, and security and foreign policy.
Advertisers who want to run such ads during the restriction period must complete Meta’s ad authorization process by Tuesday, Oct. 13. Meta also advises submitting ads for approval by Oct. 20. That gives them time to go live and record at least one impression with a valid disclaimer before the restrictions take effect. Missing these dates could leave campaigns unable to launch in the final week.
The move follows Meta’s earlier outline of its election integrity plans for the midterms, published in February. Advertisers should review the full policy and plan their campaigns early.