Meta Text Recommendations (2025 Guide)

Are you working with Facebook ads and faced the problem of your ad containing too much text? Then you’re in the right place. In this article, I explain two key aspects to keep in mind when advertising on Facebook, as well as Meta’s recommendations regarding text amount.

Contents

• What does Meta’s 20% text recommendation mean?
• How to avoid violating Facebook text rules
• 20% Grid Setup Guide in Photoshop
• Example: Same text – different results

IMPORTANT: Whether you promote posts or use Facebook Ads Manager to create ads, you are subject to all of the recommendations below.

Read how to handle Facebook advertising in Ads Manager »

What is Meta’s 20% text recommendation?

Before 2020, Facebook had a “20% rule” – it’s no longer mandatory, but it is recommended to keep the text on any image under 20%. In the past, an ad would be rejected if its image contained more than 20% text. The rule aimed to give users a better experience. That’s why it’s still advisable to follow this recommendation.

What has changed with the 20% rule?

At the end of 2020, the rule was removed, so an image with more than 20% text will no longer be rejected. However, Meta states that ads with less than 20% text perform better, and if you don’t follow the recommendation, delivery might be reduced. Meta recommends short, clear, and precise text for maximum efficiency.

Avoid too much text on ad images

It can be difficult to keep the message brief, but here are three tips to avoid too much text on your image:

• Use as few words as possible and/or decrease the text size, but don’t overdo it for readability.
• Most of the message should be in the body text, not on the image.
• Avoid spreading text across the whole image.

Photoshop Guide for Meta Text Recommendations

• Open Photoshop
• Select “Edit” at the top bar
• Click on Preferences (bottom of menu)
• Open “Guides, Grid & Slices”
• Set preferences as shown in the image: “percent”, then enter 20 and 1 in the other fields.

When you activate the grid in Photoshop, the graphic will be split so you can check the percentages just like Facebook does. It’s a special way.

To activate the grid:

• At the top, go to “View”
• Click “Show”
• Activate “Grids”

You can also create a shortcut for quick access.

Check in the program if you follow Facebook text rules (Photoshop example)

Traditionally, you’d expect the text not to take up more than 20% of the total image. Unfortunately, Facebook doesn’t calculate it this way. Two identical texts, but positioned differently, can completely change the result. That’s why you need a grid, which (hopefully) you’ve set up above.

The images below illustrate how Facebook calculates the percentage of text on an ad.

(See here the recommended Facebook image sizes)

The set grid applies regardless of image size, no further adjustments needed. I don’t know how it is in other programs.

Each square has 4%, and the idea is to stay under 20% – Facebook’s recommended limit.
The following images show how two almost identical graphics can be interpreted very differently by Facebook. Both are screenshots from my Photoshop.

20% Rule RESPECTED:

Green squares show zones with text. 5 squares x 4% = exactly Facebook’s limit.

20% Rule NOT RESPECTED

The text size hasn’t changed, just the position (down by 50-80 px). Now we’re at 40% text for Facebook, even though the text is the same. The lower image might be disadvantaged by Meta and could cost you 2-5 times more for impressions. It’s an easy way to save money 😉

For Facebook ad costs – read here: How much does Facebook advertising cost? You’ll find tips for lowering costs too!

If you don’t use Photoshop, you can also use Facebook’s tool: https://www.facebook.com/ads/tools/text_overlay