Facebook makes it easier to spot sponsored content

Facebook recently updated its policies regarding branded content in a bid to increase transparency. The changes include a new tagging system that allows publishers to tag posts that point to sponsored content with the name of the sponsoring organization or brand.

This new ‘Branded Content Tag’ benefits brands, publishers, and — most importantly — users. Brands get more insight into sponsored content performance; publishers can label sponsored content on Facebook more easily; and users can see at a glance whether or not a given piece of content posted on Facebook is sponsored.

As Facebook writes in an April 8th blog post about the changes:

This update is something that media companies, public figures, influencers, and marketers have been asking for, as branded content is a growing and evolving part of the media landscape. People will now be connected to more of the content they care most about on Facebook as publishers and influencers gain an incentive to share more quality content — of all kinds — with their fans.

We here at The Local welcome the changes as they provide a clear and consistent labeling standard for sponsored content posted to Facebook. It allows us to be even more transparent with our readers who, at the end of the day, are our most important asset.