You know how it is right? You’re trying to craft the perfect Facebook ad and you’re all excited about the stunning visuals you’ve put together.
But then you hit a wall: the text.
How much text is too much? How do you make sure your message gets across without overwhelming people?
Well I’ve been there.
I used to think I could just cram all the vital information onto the image but it turned out that was a recipe for disaster.
Users would just scroll right past my ads.
I was frustrated to say the least!
Then I stumbled upon this little gem called the “20% rule” and it’s a must.
It’s all about striking a balance: using enough text to capture attention but not so much that it feels like an assault on the eyes.
Want to make your Facebook ads actually work? 🤯 The 20% rule is still a thing, even if Facebook doesn’t enforce it anymore. Learn why it’s still important for making ads that pop and don’t get ignored. Click here to level up your ad game! 🚀
The Rise and (Sort of) Fall of the 20% Rule
Want to make your Facebook ads actually work? 🤯 The 20% rule is still a thing, even if Facebook doesn’t enforce it anymore. Learn why it’s still important for making ads that pop and don’t get ignored. Click here to level up your ad game! 🚀
Now you might have heard about the 20% rule before. It’s pretty well-known in the Facebook advertising world. The idea is simple: your Facebook ads should have no more than 20% text overlay on your images.
This used to be a hard-and-fast rule.
Facebook even had a handy tool that would analyze your images and let you know if you were exceeding that 20% threshold.
If you did your ad wouldn’t get approved.
But here’s the thing: Facebook doesn’t enforce that rule anymore.
They’ve relaxed their stance a bit but that doesn’t mean the 20% rule is irrelevant.
It’s still a really good guideline to follow.
Think about it: users scroll through their newsfeeds all day long bombarded with images and videos. They’re looking for something that grabs their attention not something that screams at them.
Why the 20% Rule Still Matters
Facebook might not penalize you for exceeding the 20% rule but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
Here’s why the 20% rule is still valuable:
1. It Helps You Stand Out (in a Good Way)
Have you ever seen a Facebook ad that’s basically just a wall of text on an image? It’s like a visual assault right? You probably scrolled right past it.
By sticking to the 20% rule you’re making sure your ads are visually appealing.
You’re keeping the focus on your image which is more likely to capture attention and draw people in.
2. It Improves User Experience
Think about it from the user’s perspective.
They’re scrolling through their newsfeed hoping to see something interesting or engaging.
They’re not looking to be bombarded with text.
Ads that follow the 20% rule are less intrusive.
They blend in more seamlessly with other content in the newsfeed providing a better overall user experience.
3. It Can Boost Your Performance
Studies have shown that ads with minimal text overlays tend to perform better than those with a lot of text.
This is because they’re more likely to be seen clicked and engaged with.
How to Apply the 20% Rule in Your Ads
Now that we’ve established why the 20% rule still matters let’s talk about how to actually apply it.
1. Start with a Strong Image
The foundation of any good Facebook ad is a high-quality image.
It should be eye-catching relevant to your target audience and visually appealing.
Think about what kind of image would stop you in your tracks when scrolling through Facebook.
Then use that as inspiration for your ad.
2. Use Text Sparingly
You want to use text sparingly only including what’s absolutely essential.
3. Keep it Concise
If you do decide to add text to your image keep it short and sweet.
Think about what’s going to grab people’s attention in just a few words.
4. Choose Your Font Wisely
Don’t underestimate the power of font choice.
It can make a big difference in how your text is perceived.
5. Utilize the Description
Remember you have the description field for your ad too! This is where you can provide more information about your product or offer.
Resources to Help You Stay Under 20%
You might be thinking “How do I actually know if I’m staying under 20%?”
Don’t worry there are tools out there to help you out!
1. The Facebook Text Overlay Tool (sort of)
While Facebook no longer offers the official tool there are third-party alternatives out there.
2. Canva
Canva has a built-in grid feature.
You can overlay a grid over your design making it easier to see how much space your text is taking up.
3. Online Text-to-Image Ratio Calculators
You can find many online calculators that can help you analyze the percentage of text in your image.
Conclusion
The 20% rule is not a hard-and-fast requirement anymore but it’s still a great guideline to follow.
By sticking to this rule you can create visually appealing ads that are more likely to catch people’s attention and stand out from the crowd.
Remember the goal is to create ads that are engaging not overwhelming.
And the 20% rule is a great way to achieve that.
So go forth and create amazing Facebook ads!
Want to make your Facebook ads actually work? 🤯 The 20% rule is still a thing, even if Facebook doesn’t enforce it anymore. Learn why it’s still important for making ads that pop and don’t get ignored. Click here to level up your ad game! 🚀