It may seem like an old debate, especially after Facebook and Instagram announced that they were pledging to support breastfeeding, but apparently the algorithms and reviewers haven’t gotten the hang of it, because it keeps happening.
The maternity clothing brand Storq denounces in an article written by its creators that Facebook prevents publishing its advertisements for nursing and maternity clothing in which it uses real mothers (and not models) because it considers the images “sexually suggestive or provocative” .
“Sexually suggestive or provocative” images
Its creators explain that since last year they decided to change their strategy and change all the images on their site for new images and videos without retouching with real pregnant mothers and nursing mothers . They are the ones who use their garments and it is important for the brand that a real and credible use of their garments is seen.
But Facebook does not consider it that way, and this is a great disadvantage for its business strategy. The images were immediately labeled as “sexually suggestive or provocative” or “too focused on one part of the body” in violation of their policies, and they were banned from using them in advertisements and in their product feed.
In a recent post on Facebook, they speak out on the matter and show their anger, communicating that they will continue to fight for these absurd policies to be reviewed.
“We wrote something about our experience in the marketing of maternity and nursing clothes on Facebook / Instagram. TL; DR our ads and products are rejected as” sexually suggestive “and it is 😡.
Let’s be clear, there is nothing sexually explicit about motherhood and these images should be welcomed in the public sphere. We know that these attitudes cannot be changed overnight, but we will continue to send out our announcements and push for policies to be changed. “
One of the most outrageous things is that not only are these algorithms detecting something sexual in these photos, but they have also contacted people by phone who continue to reject the ads. They suggested posting the flat pieces on a white background, but it’s obviously not the most attractive to buyers.
Below we can see how Facebook does not approve the images and requests that they be edited.
“Your product has not been approved by Facebook because your image is too sexual, implies nudity, shows excessive amount of skin or cleavage, or unnecessarily focuses on one part of the body”
How are you supposed to show a nursing bra without showing that part of the body? Does n’t a bikini show the same amount of skin, or more , and the network is flooded with these types of photos?
Would it have been different if instead of real mothers they had been models? Probably, but what does not make sense is that photos of pregnant women in bras and mothers in bras with their babies in their arms are considered “sexually provocative”. And I no longer see the slightest sense in a photo in which not even a piece of skin can be seen, that of a mother carrying her baby in a foulard and when what is marketed is a cardigan. What’s so provocative about that?
We wrote something (link in bio) about our experience marketing maternity and nursing clothes on FacebookInstagram. TL;DR our ads and products are rejected for being sexually suggestive and its . Lets be clear, there is nothing sexually explicit about motherhood and these images should be welcome in the public sphere. We know its not possible to change these attitudes overnight, but well keep submitting our ads and pushing for policy change.
The double standard of the sexually provocative
It is ironic that a bra can be advertised with a model, but not when it comes to a nursing mother with her baby.
We see really explicit breasts, skin and images everywhere: advertising posters, social networks, on the beach … and even walking down the street you can see necklines that teach the same thing that a mother who breastfeeds can teach.
The sexually provocative is in the eyes of the viewer , and as it is a public platform they should review their policies to adjust to reality. Clearly, there is nothing suggestive or provocative in these images of pregnant mothers or mothers with their babies used to sell maternity clothing .
Via | Medium
Photo | Nicki Sebastian for Storq
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