If you use Instagram for business, you’re likely already aware of how to conduct yourself online in order to reflect well on your brand.
But it’s not just your own rules and policies you’ll need to be aware of. When using social media, you should also aim to be mindful of the terms of use of each site you use.
Instagram, in particular, has several rules and regulations that are often broken by businesses and marketers. While you may not think too much about posting your content, here’s what you need to know about using Instagram for marketing.
Once you upload your photos, they are no longer just your own.
The second you upload your photo to Instagram, you will no longer have full rights to and control over it.
Since 2013, the terms and conditions of Instagram have stated that you are granting Instagram “a non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to use the Content that you post on or through the Service.”
Essentially, once you upload, the photo also becomes Instagram’s property to do as they wish with.
It’s also important to note that this license is transferable. Instagram can then grant anyone else the right to use your content too – and even profit from it without owing you anything!
If you’re hosting a contest, all terms and conditions for entrants must be outlined.
Many businesses like to hold competitions or giveaways to offer their followers a chance to win a cool new product or experience, but it’s important to follow Instagram’s guidelines when doing so. This is something that many marketers overlook when uploading contest posts on the social platform.
Firstly, you need to state in your post that the promotion is not ‘sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram’.
You must also include any terms, eligibility criteria and an outline of all available prizes in your post, whether it’s in the caption or as a link to the full terms.
Just because someone else has posted their photo on Instagram, that doesn’t mean you can use it.
When you upload your photos, Instagram may be allowed to use it – but that doesn’t mean anyone can. Just like you are not automatically entitled to use others’ photos straight from the platform.
If you find a photo to use, it is still their intellectual property. If you wish to use it, you must contact the original owner for their permission.
Instagram state their rule against reposting images in their terms, so it’s best to always seek permission unless you’re looking for a copyright infringement claim against you.
By making sure you’re fully up to date on the rules and are aware of everything we’ve listed above, you can feel better about posting your content knowing you won’t end up getting suspended or banned from Instagram or worse – caught up in a legal battle!
Remember to stay safe, especially when representing your brand.
