That Was Fast: Facebook Bans Google+ Ad

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Well, I guess Zuckerberg wasn’t too smitten, even if he has the most Google+ followers. Next time, Google should throw in some freebies to win over the CEO, like a lollipop. Or a pizza. I would like a pizza right now.

Michael Lee Johnson, an app developer, decided to take the bull by the horns and signed up for an advertising spot on Facebook with the sole intention of publicizing his own Google+ profile. Facebook, of course, took notice, and well, they weren’t too happy with that.

(MORE: The Most Followed Person on Google+ Is Mark Zuckerberg)

The ad was straightforward enough: “If you’re lucky enough to have a Google+ account, add Michael Lee Johnson, Internet Geek, App Developer, Technological Virtuoso.”* Complete with geeky grin.

Facebook ultimately decided the move wasn’t kosher and ruled that it was a abominable crime against its advertising guidelines. It’s been reported that all of Johnson’s campaigns – and not just the ad – got the proverbial boot. He received a cryptic message from Facebook, explaining the removal:

“Your account has been disabled. All of your adverts have been stopped and should not be run again on the site under any circumstances. Generally, we disable an account if too many of its adverts violate our Terms of Use or Advertising guidelines. Unfortunately we cannot provide you with the specific violations that have been deemed abusive. Please review our Terms of Use and Advertising guidelines if you have any further questions.”

In Facebook’s advertising guidelines, clause 6a states that they can “…refuse ads at any time for any reason, including [promoting] competing products or services.” Was it this specific condition that irked the Palo Alto-based company? Methinks it was because they didn’t just like his awesomely geeky-hipster beret.

(MORE: Could What Happened to MySpace Happen to Facebook?)

Well, as CNET points out, Johnson hasn’t added Zuckerberg to any of his circles. I’m gonna take a shot in the dark and say it probably won’t happen anytime soon either.

[via CNET]

*If you’re lucky enough to have a Google+ account, add Erica Ho, reporter at TIME, cell phone hand model, taco devourer. Ultimately too cheap to put up a Facebook ad, she’s also on Twitter at @ericamho.

You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.