What Do You Think? FTC Regulations On Product Reviews, Blogging, Testimonials, etc, Dec. 1, 2009

[sdcast]

Affiliates and Merchants Alike


I was just signing in to shareasale to check my commissions, for today, and they had this info posted on their blog.

It kind of touches base on what the warrior B. Russell was saying about "article writers, stop before you kill someone." in reference to writing articles that are just thrown together, just to make a buck.

Well the FTC is going to start cracking down on ridiculous products claims, deceptions and so forth, beginning, Dec 1, 2009.

As usual for those who are within the guidelines, there's nothing to worry about. and from what i was reading, if you're not, they give you a chance to correct it, before they dish out any serious actions.

http://blog.shareasale.com/2009/10/06/bloggers-product-reviews-and-
the-ftc-regulations/



sdcast

[Bill Farnham]

Do a search on this topic here and you'll find we've beaten this one to death.

Seriously, you could spend the rest of the day reading threads and comments about it.

KJ

[Mr Money Maker]

It's a real pain.....I have a Highly ranked Guitar and music site,and had to go through and post messages on every page.
This is crap really, just a way to raise money for the gov

[Steven Carl Kelly]

I'm pleased and very much in favor of the new guides.

[Alexa Smith]

I'm strongly in favour. In the long run, it can only be good for the entire internet marketing industry and our collective reputation (which needs all the help it can get, in case you hadn't noticed).

The only "freedom" being threatened here is the freedom to deceive people. I welcome that.

If you ask people whether they'd like to be told openly that when a product's reviewed on a blog/site, a sale of that product made by following a link earns the reviewer a commission, do you think 99.99% of people would say "yes", or would it only be 99.9%?

[sdcast]

Originally Posted by Killer Joe

Do a search on this topic here and you'll find we've beaten this one to death.

Seriously, you could spend the rest of the day reading threads and comments about it.

KJ

well yeah, this is the warrior forum. what isn't covered here concerning internet marketing. lol you'll find everything here plus the kitchen sink. yes, i'm sure someone is marketing them. hehehe

[bahnsurf]

Originally Posted by Alexa Smith

I'm strongly in favour. In the long run, it can only be good for the entire internet marketing industry and our collective reputation (which needs all the help it can get, in case you hadn't noticed).

The only "freedom" being threatened here is the freedom to deceive people. I welcome that.

If you ask people whether they'd like to be told openly that when a product's reviewed on a blog/site, a sale of that product made by following a link earns the reviewer a commission, do you think 99.99% of people would say "yes", or would it only be 99.9%?

Yes, precisely. At least, we can 'openly' promote the products that we want and make a hell lot easier for those who are going the review-only type route.

2 cents worth..

[madison_avenue]

It could spell the end of the false impartiality of some review sites. If no-one believes the "review" is genuine, because the reviewer is getting an affiliate commission, then you may as well go all out and pitch the product with a hard sell.

This law could end up with more hard selling sites rather than the quasi-respectable review sites indeed they may be seen as the same by the site visitor.

[Si_P]

There is so much reading in the FTC guidelines, anyone have a summary of them?

Also, will this impact affiliate marketers in the UK or is it just US hosted sites? I live in the UK but i host with hostgator in the US.

[santosm]

Originally Posted by Alexa Smith

I'm strongly in favour. In the long run, it can only be good for the entire internet marketing industry and our collective reputation (which needs all the help it can get, in case you hadn't noticed).

The only "freedom" being threatened here is the freedom to deceive people. I welcome that.

Well said.

This will filter out the bad seeds of Internet Marketers, if you can even call them marketers and can only be great for the marketers who are trying to make a living honestly and ethically.

The Rules are there to protect the consumer and lets face it, as much as we are all marketers, on the flip side.....we are also consumers. Its a win-win.

Cheers Marianne

[diverdown]

from a number of attorney's I have querred on this new incertion of power from the Feds ... the concesious was that they were sad to say that the majority of us are to small a fish for them to waste there time and effort going after.

That being said take the prudent approach

a simple disclaimer that I was given by one attorney to attach to promotion mailers:

==========================================
MATERIAL CONNECTION DISCLOSURE:
You should assume that the sender of this
email has an affiliate relationship and/or
another material connection to the
providers of goods and services mentioned
in this message and may be compensated when
you purchase from a provider. You should
always perform due diligence before buying
goods or services from anyone via the
Internet or Offline.
==========================================
DD

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by Phil Leotardo

Were you looking for an answer or was that question rhetorical? Please advise.

Would I ask rhetorical questions?!