Meta Extends Ban on Political Ads Post-Election in the U.S.

Meta has announced that new political ads will be restricted on Facebook and Instagram following Election Day in the United States.

Originally, Meta’s restrictions on political ads were scheduled to end on Wednesday, November 6, at midnight Pacific Time. However, the company has now stated on its website that the ban will be extended "until the end of the week."

Since 2020, Meta’s platforms have enforced a restriction period for ads related to social issues, politics, or elections in the U.S. in the week leading up to Election Day. This measure aims to ensure a smoother voting process and to limit the spread of potentially misleading information.

The extension of the restrictions is intended to give Meta’s moderation team more time to review and challenge any new claims made in ads. According to Meta, without this additional time, it could be difficult to address last-minute assertions in a timely and effective way.

Political ads that were already placed by midnight on October 29 and have undergone verification processes will remain on the platform during the restriction period, although "most edits will be prohibited," Meta stated.

Advertisers will still be able to adjust scheduling, budgeting, and bidding-related elements of their political ads. However, the restriction period prevents them from removing the "paid for by" disclaimers on their ads, editing ad target audiences, or duplicating their most successful paid ads.

Similarly, Google has implemented restrictions on election-related advertising in the U.S., halting such ads until "the polls close on Election Day." However, this restriction does not affect informational campaigns run by state or federal authorities directly involved in managing the election process.