What is the difference between a social share and an ad on Twitter?

A social share is the text and graphic that appears on Twitter when a link that has been customized for social media is posted online. Campaigns and organizations fundraising on ActBlue can create social shares for their contribution forms so when they or a donor posts the link to the contribution form, a custom image and text appears. This is what a social share can look like on Twitter for a contribution form created on ActBlue:

Screenshot of social share. Image of people holding signs, text says Steven Reed is running for mayor of Montgomery. Donate today to help elect him to a historic seat.

Twitter prohibits paid advertising for political content. Anyone can still share a link to political content on Twitter, but they cannot pay for it to be promoted. This includes links to contribution forms for political candidates and causes. Since social shares are not paid for or purchased by any campaign or political organization, they are not political ads, and they are permitted on Twitter.

It’s helpful to note that ads on Twitter say “Promoted” in the bottom left corner. This is what an ad on Twitter can look like:

Screenshot of a promoted social share with box around Twitter text saying Promoted (issue).

Not sure if you’re seeing an ad or a social share? You can search Twitter’s ad center.


Additional Reading

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Why is there a disclaimer box at the bottom of the contribution form?

We’re required by federal law to include a disclaimer at the bottom of each page on ActBlue’s website. That language refers to the individual contribution forms we build that…

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Do you run ads?

No, ActBlue does not run ads on behalf of any campaign or organization. Campaigns and organizations pay to run ads on third-party ad services such as Google, Twitter, and…
https://support.actblue.com/donors/other/what-is-the-difference-between-a-social-share-and-an-ad-on-twitter/
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