As a Nigerian content creator, once you’ve reached the point where your Facebook page is monetized, it’s crucial to follow the platform’s guidelines to ensure you remain eligible to earn money. Facebook has specific rules and policies, and violations can lead to demonetization, where you lose the ability to earn from ads, subscriptions, and other monetization methods. Below are common mistakes that can get your Facebook page demonetized and how to avoid them.

1. Posting Inappropriate Content

Facebook has strict community guidelines, and content that violates these rules will likely get your page demonetized. This includes posts containing hate speech, violent or graphic content, adult material, or discriminatory remarks. Even if you post something that violates the guidelines unintentionally, Facebook’s automated systems can flag your content, leading to penalties.

Examples of content that can cause demonetization:

Posts inciting violence or hate speech based on race, gender, or religion.
Graphic or violent videos that aren’t adequately flagged as sensitive.
Adult content, including nudity or sexually suggestive posts.

Tip: Regularly review Facebook’s Community Standards to ensure that your posts stay within the platform’s guidelines. If you’re unsure whether your content violates a policy, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

2. Reposting Copyrighted Content Without Permission

Facebook takes copyright infringement seriously. Posting videos, music, or images that you don’t own or have permission to use can lead to copyright strikes. If your page receives multiple strikes, Facebook will not only demonetize your content but could potentially suspend or ban your account.

Examples of copyright violations:

Posting someone else’s YouTube video or movie clips without permission.
Using copyrighted music in the background of your videos without licensing it.

Tip: Use royalty-free music, images, and videos from sources like Pexels, Unsplash, or Epidemic Sound. If you want to use popular music, ensure you have the proper licenses.

3. Clickbait and Misleading Content

Clickbait is another common reason for demonetization on Facebook. Posts that use sensationalized or misleading headlines to attract clicks are against Facebook’s Monetization Eligibility Standards. This includes headlines that exaggerate or misrepresent the actual content of the post.

Examples of clickbait:

Titles like “You won’t believe what happened next” or “This one trick will make you rich overnight.”
Content that promises something exciting but delivers irrelevant or underwhelming information.

Tip: Be honest in your post titles and descriptions. It’s better to provide engaging content that delivers what it promises than to trick users into clicking.

4. Poor Content Quality

Facebook places a strong emphasis on Content Quality, especially for pages that want to monetize. Pages that consistently post low-quality content, such as blurry videos, poorly written articles, or spammy material, are at risk of losing monetization eligibility. Facebook wants to ensure that monetized pages offer value to their audience.

Examples of poor-quality content:

Videos with shaky cameras, poor lighting, or unclear audio.
Written posts filled with grammatical errors or excessive typos.
Spamming posts with little to no substance.

Tip: Invest in basic equipment for creating high-quality content, such as a smartphone with a good camera or a microphone for clear audio. Even if you’re starting small, producing polished, engaging content will help you maintain monetization.

5. Lack of Original Content

Facebook’s monetization policies reward originality. Pages that rely on resharing or reposting content from other sources (without adding original commentary or value) will have their monetization revoked. The platform is designed to support creators who produce fresh, engaging material, rather than those who simply curate existing content.

Examples of violations:

Pages that continuously share viral videos from other creators without offering original content.
Reposting memes, quotes, or content from other pages without proper attribution or context.

Tip: Even if you share content from other sources, ensure you’re adding original commentary, analysis, or reactions. This adds value and keeps your page original.

6. Misusing Engagement Bait Tactics

Facebook penalizes pages that use engagement bait—posts that ask users to like, comment, or share content in a manipulative way. While asking for engagement in genuine ways is fine, trying to game the system by creating spammy posts will get you demonetized.

Examples of engagement bait:

Posts that say “Like if you love Nigeria, share if you hate poverty.”
Asking for comments without offering value in the content itself.

Tip: Encourage natural engagement by creating content that prompts thoughtful discussion, responses, or debates rather than asking for interactions directly.

7. Violating Facebook’s Partner Monetization Policies

To remain eligible for monetization, Facebook requires creators to comply with their Partner Monetization Policies. This includes maintaining transparency, respecting user data privacy, and adhering to general community standards. Violating these policies can result in demonetization, and in some cases, a ban from using Facebook’s monetization tools altogether.

Examples of violations:

Misrepresenting your identity or falsely claiming endorsements from brands.
Using fraudulent or unethical means to inflate your followers, likes, or views (e.g., buying followers).
Sharing misleading information that could harm users or spread false narratives.

Tip: Regularly review Facebook’s Partner Monetization Policies and make sure you understand the rules. Avoid shortcuts like buying followers or using automated tools to boost engagement—these will hurt your page in the long run.

Conclusion

Demonetization on Facebook can be a major setback for content creators, but it’s entirely avoidable if you follow the platform’s rules and guidelines. The key is to focus on creating high-quality, original content that resonates with your audience while staying compliant with Facebook’s policies. By steering clear of copyright violations, engagement bait, clickbait, and other practices that violate community standards, you can continue to grow your audience and revenue without risking demonetization.