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Facebook Restricted Targeting Explained

Starting in August 2022, Facebook changed its rules for advertising. Now, advertisers who work in three specific areas—Housing, Employment, or Credit—cannot use detailed targeting options for their ads. This means they can't target people based on demographics (like age or gender) or behaviors for these types of ads.

 

Please note that Social Media (Facebook and Instagram) Ads are only available in the U.S. and Canada.

What Does This Mean?

If you are running ads related to housing, jobs, or credit, you cannot use Facebook’s detailed targeting features to narrow down your audience. You have to target more broadly without specific filters.

Examples of Restricted Topics

Here are some examples of the types of businesses and topics Facebook groups under each restricted category:

Housing Examples:

  • Renting or buying homes (e.g., apartments, houses, condos)

  • Home improvement or renovations

  • Real estate agents and property management

  • Mortgage loans and refinancing

  • Home insurance

  • Landlords and tenants

  • Property listings websites (like Zillow)

  • Roommates and housing searches

Employment Examples:

  • Job searching, job fairs, internships

  • Employment agencies and staffing services

  • Career development and job training

  • Small business and startups

  • Recruitment and hiring

  • Work-from-home jobs and telecommuting

  • Temporary or part-time jobs

Credit Examples:

  • Credit cards and loans

  • Credit scores and credit reports

  • Debt management and refinancing

  • Banking services related to credit

  • Investment and financial planning related to credit

  • Personal finance and money management

Why Did Facebook Make This Change?

Facebook updated these rules to protect users from potential discrimination in ads related to important areas like housing, jobs, and credit. It helps ensure fairer access to these opportunities for everyone.