Did you know that you can now use images with more than 20% text for ads on Facebook? But your reach may be limited.

Facebook now provides a “rough” visual guide as to the impact too much text will have on the reach of your advertisement. They most definitely have an algorithm behind the scenes, but they are not telling us what the scale is.

There are now 4 categories of text overlay

• Image Text: OK
• Image Text: Low
• Image Text: Medium
• Image Text: High

If your image text is classed as OK – typically no text overlay other than a company logo – then your ads will display just fine.

With a low classification, your reach may be restricted.

Images in the medium text category your ad will reach fewer people than optimal.

If your images have a high volume of text, then they’re unlikely to display at all.

Exceptions of text that doesn’t impact your ads

• Movie Posters
• Book Covers
• Album Covers
• Product Images – Where an entire product can be seen and not just a zoomed in image of the product.
• Posters for concerts/music Festivals, Comedy Shows or Sporting Events
• Text-based Businesses Calligraphy, cartoon/comic strips, etc.
• App & game screenshots
• Legal text
• Infographics

The following all count as text

These should be kept to a minimum:

• Logos – Any text-based logo is counted as text regardless of its size or alignment
• Watermark – Watermarks are considered as text, even if they’re mandatory or as per their brand guidelines
• Numbers – All numbers are considered as text

Ultimately Facebook clearly states that they prefer images to have little or no text. To ensure maximum reach, reserve all your promotional text for the post itself.

What does this mean?

Stay the course. Minimal to no text on your ad photos works best if you want them to be seen.  Facebook won’t reject your ad if it has too much text now, but you’ll be paying for an ad that will get minimal traction and views. Remember the phrase “Less is more?” In this case, it’s true.

NOTE: The changes are not in place for all users as yet. Facebook is testing and rolling out the new options gradually.

Source: Shawn Clark