❀ Shar‘i Ruling on Boosting and Sponsored Posts in Digital Marketing ❀
Fatwa by: Fadhilat al-‘Ālim Khizr Hayat ḥafiẓahullah
❖ Question:
Platforms like Facebook and other social media offer options such as “Boost” and “Sponsored Posts”, through which one can pay to promote a post—whether business-related or religious—to a larger audience.
These companies enhance post visibility through SEO or other algorithmic tools.
Is it Sharʿan permissible to pay for promoting one’s post?
❖ Answer:
This method is a modern form of advertising campaigns, similar to traditional methods such as:
◈ Publishing printed advertisements
◈ Distributing handbills via vehicles or helicopters
In digital marketing, the process is more organized and structured, as it allows targeting based on specific age, gender, region, field, and interests.
✿ Sharʿī Ruling
This form of promotion is permissible, provided the following conditions are met:
➊ The content being promoted must not contain anything unlawful or immoral in Shariah.
➋ There should be no religious, ethical, or societal harm involved in the promotion.
➌ If these conditions are fulfilled, then using such marketing tools is permissible and there is no Sharʿī objection.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct.
