The Social Media Navigator GSA’s Guide to Official Use of Social Media
April 2011
Table of Contents Chapters:1: Introduction Guidance for the Official Use of Social Media ................................ ....... 32: What is Social Media? ................................ ................................ ............................ 33: What “Official Use Means ................................ ................................ ....................... 44: ConsiderationsWhen Choosing a Social Media Product ................................ ............... 55: Your Responsibilities ................................ ................................ .............................. 6Get Approval First ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 6Minimize Your Risk ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 6Nonpublic Information ................................ ................................ ............................. 6About Endorsements of Products, Services, or Enterprises ................................ ........... 7Section 508 Standards (Accessibility) ................................ ................................ ........ 7Practice Proper Records Management ................................ ................................ ........ 7Know the Laws for Information Collection ................................ ................................ .. 8Plain Language ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 8Meet Information Quality Standards ................................ ................................ .......... 8Ensure Meaningful Access by People with Limited English Proficiency............................. 9Protect Intellectual Property ................................ ................................ ..................... 9Privacy Considerations................................ ................................ ........................... 10Cookies ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 10Provide Data in a Usable Format ................................ ................................ ............. 10Adhere to Lobbying Rules ................................ ................................ ...................... 10Avoid Political Activity (Hatch Act) ................................ ................................ ........... 11Know When the Federal Advisory Committee Act Applies ................................ ........... 11Monitor What You Control ................................ ................................ ...................... 116: GSA Encourages and Supports Social Media ................................ ............................ 127: Social Media Use Should Be Strategic ................................ ................................ .... 128: GSA Has the Right to Monitor and Remove Comments ................................ ............. 139: This Guide Will Continue to Be Reviewed ................................ ................................ 13APPENDIX: ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 14A. ............. 14Requirements Checklist When Using Social Media................................B.More ............Advice for Engaging in Online Conversations................................ 15C.Frequently Asked Questions ................................ ................................ .......... 16D.Guidance for Bloggers ................................ ................................ .................. 18