This week, Google launched Google+ Pages, a place where companies can post content and interact with consumers. In many ways, Google+ Pages is similar to Facebook Pages, but it also includes some unique functionality and integrations with Google’s search engine. Companies that are considering establishing a presence on Google+ should note, however, that Google imposes at least one limitation that Facebook does not: Google prohibits companies from offering various types of promotions on the site.

The Google+ Pages Contest and Promotion Policies states, in part: “You may not run contests, sweepstakes, offers, coupons or other such promotions (“Promotion”) directly on your Google+ Page. You may display a link on your Google+ Page to a separate site where your Promotion is hosted so long as you (and not Google) are solely responsible for your Promotion and for compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations . . . .”

Google reserves the right to block or remove pages that violate the Policies, so companies should be careful to ensure they comply.

Google+ Opens Up to Companies, But Prohibits Promotions