Comments on: Affiliates – New FTC Rules and $11,000 Fines for Non-Disclosure

By: website designer toronto

website designer toronto — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:02:42 +0000

It certainly says something about blogging as a profession to have these FTC guidelines.

Disclosure is so important, especially from those who blog. By its nature, blogging has a built in lifestyle/benefit element that marketers desire. A product that is promoted within the context of a blog boasts that real-life, tried-and-true testimonial that advertisers would pay mega bucks to achieve in print. Bloggers have a very powerful, dynamic mode of communication that can quickly persuade the unaware reader into thinking that s/he is receiving authentic commentary, not paid testimony.

By: What Does New FTC Guidelines Really Mean For Bloggers and Affiliates?

What Does New FTC Guidelines Really Mean For Bloggers and Affiliates? — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:21:32 +0000

[...] From an affiliate perspective [...]

By: FTC BACKS DOWN – the $11,000 Fine is Not True! - 5 Star Affiliate Blogs

FTC BACKS DOWN – the $11,000 Fine is Not True! - 5 Star Affiliate Blogs — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:15:15 +0000

[...] blogged about the new FTC Guidelines as soon as the story broke, but in case you don’t know the situation – it’s been [...]

By: Linda Buquet

Linda Buquet — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:47:29 +0000

Hi Beau, thanks for commenting and I agree.

Yes, I would think what you wrote is sufficient disclosure, but the scary thing is, who knows what the FTC thinks since they don’t really spell it out.

By: Beau

Beau — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:16:09 +0000

The total lack of clarity in these guidelines is really aggravating. It would have been nice if they had included any idea of what they’re expecting in terms of disclosure, if they’re going to threaten to fine people.

For bloggers that don’t receive any monetary compensation, but just get sent free products to review without any strings attached, do you guys think it would be acceptable to just say, “Company X sent me a free copy of this widget to review?” That’s full disclosure, in my mind, especially if the review is written honestly. Do you think that’ll be enough for the FTC?

By: FTC puts regulations on endorsements, testimonials

FTC puts regulations on endorsements, testimonials — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:53:45 +0000

[...] Some other bloggers have also been posting about this. You can check them out here: 5 Star Affiliate Blog [...]