Newbie FTC Compliance Question

12 replies
Hi,

I would just like to ask if it violates FTC Compliance if you promote a product based on other people's review and rating? I would like to promote an affiliate product but I have not used it myself. I do however will mention that my endorsement is based on reviews and rating from other sites.

Thanks in advance for your feedback
#compliance #ftc #newbie #question
  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    Why don't you just try the product yourself so you can give an unbiased and truthful review of your own experience?

    Reviewing the reviews of other people is pretty lame, IMO. What if you find both a good review and a bad review? Which one are your going to promote . . . the good review of course. So you can't claim to be unbiased.

    I never put my trust in recommendations from people that don't have any first hand experience with the product.

    And just remember this . . . people prefer to buy from those they trust and like.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author nmwf
    Have you read this: https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/busi...ple-are-asking Looks like promoting a product as though you used it yourself (but really didn't) is deceptive (and not allowed).
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  • Profile picture of the author kboxgfx
    Thanks for the response guys. First off, I will not be claiming anything about the product but saying here are products that I think are cool and have great reviews from trusted sites. And my question was if that would violate FTC compliance. If it does, then does every newbie in affiliate marketing have to buy all the stuff on the jv partners website they wish to promote? How about those that are on Amazon? What should a newbie do?
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      I see what you're talking about. In that case you're not a reviewer ... you're a reporter (of others reviews). You just want to publish reviews of other people. Correct? If that's the case, you'd need to get their permission. Otherwise you're risking copyright infractions. Or at the very least list them as the source, with a link to their site.
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      • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
        Close, but not quite...

        Originally Posted by The Niche Man View Post

        I see what you're talking about. In that case you're not a reviewer ... you're a reporter (of others reviews). You just want to publish reviews of other people. Correct? If that's the case, you'd need to get their permission. Otherwise you're risking copyright infractions. Or at the very least list them as the source, with a link to their site.
        He is, in fact, a reporter, but...

        There is no need to "get permission" and you are NOT risking "copyright infraction" if you don't quote the actual reviews you are using.

        Instead, synopsize and/or paraphrase the reviews...
        Use statements like
        "87% of the reviews on Amazon for this product indicate that the buyer was very satisfied with the purchase" or...

        "The only negative comment I could find was where the spray nozzle appeared to be clogged, but the buyer soon realized that he hadn't removed all of the packing material"

        You can report on what someone else said, without quoting them or giving attribution as long as you turn it into an editorial.
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        • Profile picture of the author kboxgfx
          Thank you very much Sid. So can I also say something like...

          "I think this product would be good because of this and that. Would also be nice if it had this feature but it's not a deal breaker."

          Maybe just adding my own opinion about it not totally a review? Or should I just keep my opinions to myself?

          Originally Posted by Sid Hale View Post

          Close, but not quite...



          He is, in fact, a reporter, but...

          There is no need to "get permission" and you are NOT risking "copyright infraction" if you don't quote the actual reviews you are using.

          Instead, synopsize and/or paraphrase the reviews...
          Use statements like
          "87% of the reviews on Amazon for this product indicate that the buyer was very satisfied with the purchase" or...

          "The only negative comment I could find was where the spray nozzle appeared to be clogged, but the buyer soon realized that he hadn't removed all of the packing material"

          You can report on what someone else said, without quoting them or giving attribution as long as you turn it into an editorial.
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          • Profile picture of the author Sid Hale
            Both of your examples were couched as being "opinion".

            Originally Posted by kboxgfx View Post

            Thank you very much Sid. So can I also say something like...

            "I think this product would be good because of this and that. Would also be nice if it had this feature but it's not a deal breaker."

            Maybe just adding my own opinion about it not totally a review? Or should I just keep my opinions to myself?
            You don't want to do that. If you don't own or haven't used the product yourself... you don't have a valid basis for an opinion. You're not entitled to one!

            Your examples indicate that in your mind, you're still trying to write a "review", rather than just reporting your findings.
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            • Profile picture of the author kboxgfx
              Thanks Sid. I just wanted to cover my bases and you've cleared it up for me

              Originally Posted by Sid Hale View Post

              Both of your examples were couched as being "opinion".



              You don't want to do that. If you don't own or haven't used the product yourself... you don't have a valid basis for an opinion. You're not entitled to one!

              Your examples indicate that in your mind, you're still trying to write a "review", rather than just reporting your findings.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve B
          Whenever you have technical questions about something, or are not sure if you understand all the issues, it's best to go right to the source:

          Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

          There are also other resources at the FTC web site that will answer your questions.

          Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
      Originally Posted by kboxgfx View Post

      then does every newbie in affiliate marketing have to buy all the stuff on the jv partners website they wish to promote? How about those that are on Amazon? What should a newbie do?
      No, you don't have to buy all the stuff on the J.V partners website, or Amazon. Just don't tell (or imply to) people you've used the product when you didn't. Market them in other ways than the "Review Method" if you haven't actually reviewed them. They're other effective methods to use if you can't be totally truthful using the "Review Method".
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  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    I can understand where the OP is coming from. Most people do not have the money to purchase every single product they promote when they first start out.

    However, there are some things you can do to make sure you do it right.

    As others have said, so not claim that you own and use the product if you don't. I think that would be the most important thing to avoid doing.

    If you cannot afford the product, you can always write the vendor and let them know how you plan on promoting their product and then politely ask them for a review copy. If you don't have a proven sales record chances are the vendor will refuse, but, it surely doesn't hurt to ask.

    Writing a review based on the reviews of others is tricky and that's because the majority of review blogs are going to give the product a glowing review for the simple reason that they are trying to make sales. Writing a negative review isn't going to help the blogger to make any commissions. I don't really agree with this practice, but unfortunately this is reality.

    I would suggest you try and find both positive and negative reviews so that you can present both pros and cons.

    I really don't advocate writing reviews of products that you don't own, but I also understand that it's not possible for every affiliate marketer to purchase every product they promote. If you do this, make sure that you do it responsibly and provide the most accurate facts you can. The worst thing you can do is encourage someone to purchase a crappy product by writing a glowing review. This will quickly tarnish your reputation.

    Also, if you do curate the reviews (or parts of them) from other sites, you must provide a link back to the original article. I would recommend you do not do this, but instead rewrite any content you put on your blog. This will cut down on duplicate content and also help to avoid any possible copyright situations.
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    • Profile picture of the author kboxgfx
      Thank you very much for the advice.

      Originally Posted by nicheblogger75 View Post

      I can understand where the OP is coming from. Most people do not have the money to purchase every single product they promote when they first start out.

      However, there are some things you can do to make sure you do it right.

      As others have said, so not claim that you own and use the product if you don't. I think that would be the most important thing to avoid doing.

      If you cannot afford the product, you can always write the vendor and let them know how you plan on promoting their product and then politely ask them for a review copy. If you don't have a proven sales record chances are the vendor will refuse, but, it surely doesn't hurt to ask.

      Writing a review based on the reviews of others is tricky and that's because the majority of review blogs are going to give the product a glowing review for the simple reason that they are trying to make sales. Writing a negative review isn't going to help the blogger to make any commissions.

      I would suggest you try and find both positive and negative reviews so that you can present both pros and cons.

      I really don't advocate writing reviews of products that you don't own, but I also understand that it's not possible for every affiliate marketer to purchase every product they promote. If you do this, make sure that you do it responsible and provide the most accurate facts you can. The worst thing you can do is encourage someone to purchase a crappy product by writing a glowing review. This will quickly tarnish your reputation.

      Also, if you do curate the reviews (or parts of them) from other sites, you must provide a link back to the original article. I would recommend you do not do this, but instead rewrite any content you put on your blog. This will cut down on duplicate content and also help to avoid any possible copywrite situations that arise.
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