PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Facebook Extends Ban on Political Ads

Don't expect Google to lift its marketing embargo before the end of this year, either.

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

(Photo by Sean Rayford via Getty Images)


The 2020 US presidential election is far from over, and social networks aren't taking any chances ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Facebook, which announced last month that it would temporarily stop running political, electoral, and social issue ads on Nov. 4, has extended its ban.

"The temporary pause for ads about political and social issues in the US continues to be in place as part of our ongoing efforts to protect the election," according to a Nov. 11 update to the company's initial blog post. "Advertisers can expect this to last another month, though there may be an opportunity to resume these ads sooner."

Rob Leathern, director of product management at Facebook, confirmed the deferment via Twitter, explaining that labels naming former Vice President Joe Biden as the project winner will remain in place "as that result moves toward certification next month."

The White House isn't the only 2020 battleground, though. Two Senate seats from Georgia are still up for grabs in a rare double-barreled runoff election slated for early January. But, unfortunately for the candidates and their undecided constituents, Facebook and Instagram won't be helping to plug anyone in the Peach State.

"We know that people are disappointed that we can't immediately enable ads for runoff elections in Georgia and elsewhere," Leathern wrote. "We do not have the technical ability in the short term to enable political ads by state or by advertiser, and we are also committed to giving political advertisers equal access to our tools and services."

Google, meanwhile, has taken a similar approach, warning some advertisers that it's unlikely to lift its own marketing ban before the end of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

Read full bio