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Do You Think Direct Linking Will Go Against The New FTC Rules?

by Daniel_Pereira
11 replies
Hello Fellow Warriors,

I've been trying to figure out if for some reason direct linking will go against the new FTC rules and regulations. With my affiliate marketing, I usually will mask an affiliate link with a URL and set up a direct linking using Google's content network. (Using this method I avoid any Google Slaps).

I'm sure many of you have done this in the past. My question is if you fellow warriors think that this goes against the new ftc regulations. Any thoughts for yay or nay will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Daniel Pereira
#direct #ftc #linking #rules
  • Profile picture of the author BenQ
    Can you please point me to the new rules? What are they prohibiting?
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel_Pereira
      Originally Posted by Benq View Post

      Can you please point me to the new rules? What are they prohibiting?
      Do a Google search on "ftc new rules affiliate marketing" and you'll find tons of people talking about it.
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  • Profile picture of the author smaxor
    Has nothing to do with it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel_Pereira
      Originally Posted by smaxor View Post

      Has nothing to do with it.
      Why do you say that this has nothing to do with it when the ftc is saying that we need to start disclosing affiliate links?

      Update: My wife shared some interesting insight with me last night. She said that she thought that direct linking wouldn't apply because Google discloses that Google ads are "sponsored links." She thinks that this should also take care of the affiliate disclosure.
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  • Profile picture of the author Zubair Zm
    Some of the links about new FTC rules are here
    Federal Trade Commission's Advertising - Edorsement Guide Videos
    Performance Marketing Alliance | Performance Marketing Alliance
    FTC Regulates Blogger, Viral Marketing Relationships: Analysis and compliance tips | ReveNews
    IAB Takes Up Arms Against the FTC’s Latest Endorsement Regulation Campaign | ReveNews
    Hope this helps
    regards
    Zm
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  • Profile picture of the author JeffLam
    If I'm not wrong, basically if you are promoting any affiliate link in any format, you simply have to (by the new FTC guidelines) disclose to your lead that you will make money with them buying from your affiliate link.

    Where you choose to tell them this disclaimer is up to you..but you have to tell them essentially.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel_Pereira
    Thank you very much for your input guys. Does anyone think that my wife may be correct in her thinking that since Google Ads say "sponsored link" that this would "count" as disclosing your affiliate link? In in this case, it is Google is disclosing for you that a "sponsor" is paying for an advertisement. Obviously, in my mind, sponsors paying for advertisement have the goal of making money. So in a way this is disclosing what the ftc wants.

    Also, in my mind, when you direct link, you aren't doing a presell. You aren't giving your "testimonial" or thoughts on how great the product is. So my guess is that we should still be good to go when it comes to direct linking.

    For now, I think I still with RyanAndBryanTate with the thoughts that it will be up to the ftc to further enlighten us as to what is ok and what is not.

    Daniel Pereira
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris Grable
      Originally Posted by Daniel_Pereira View Post

      Thank you very much for your input guys. Does anyone think that my wife may be correct in her thinking that since Google Ads say "sponsored link" that this would "count" as disclosing your affiliate link? In in this case, it is Google is disclosing for you that a "sponsor" is paying for an advertisement. Obviously, in my mind, sponsors paying for advertisement have the goal of making money. So in a way this is disclosing what the ftc wants.

      Also, in my mind, when you direct link, you aren't doing a presell. You aren't giving your "testimonial" or thoughts on how great the product is. So my guess is that we should still be good to go when it comes to direct linking.

      For now, I think I still with RyanAndBryanTate with the thoughts that it will be up to the ftc to further enlighten us as to what is ok and what is not.

      Daniel Pereira
      Daniel,

      I don't think anyone actually knows the answer. The rules are probably not that explicit... Go ask four attorneys and depending on how cautious they are you will probably give you four differrent interpretations of the law. There are an awful lot of folks in "wait and see" mode.
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      • Profile picture of the author David-JP
        Jim Edwards did an interview with the Assistant Deputy at The Federal Trade Commission:
        FTC (Federal Trade Commission) Clarifies New Internet Marketing, Blogging & Affiliate Advertising Guidelines With Jim Edwards |

        Suggest all watch/listen to it.

        David
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        • Profile picture of the author Seattle Mike
          I agree with your wife. Google ads are clearly marked as advertisements. And if you click the Ads by Google, they have a big terms/disclaimer page.

          The FTC seems to be more concerned with the fake blogs/fake stories with fake names/pics. And fake news websites. etc. Review sites full of affiliate links that look impartial but are actually trying to get people to buy. In otherwords.. being sneaky lil marketers Whoever did that simulated Yahoo Answers site was a genius.

          But the laws are very vague. Like usual.

          I am adding a Terms of Use/affiliate marketing page link to my blogs/sites with a simple statement that some of my recommended suggestions will earn me a commission if you purchase something. It is how I feed my family. Which is the truth. Might even add a "How to make money Affiliate Marketing" product offer as well!
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          • Profile picture of the author JMPruitt
            Originally Posted by deverell View Post

            I agree with your wife. Google ads are clearly marked as advertisements. And if you click the Ads by Google, they have a big terms/disclaimer page.

            The FTC seems to be more concerned with the fake blogs/fake stories with fake names/pics. And fake news websites. etc. Review sites full of affiliate links that look impartial but are actually trying to get people to buy. In otherwords.. being sneaky lil marketers Whoever did that simulated Yahoo Answers site was a genius.

            But the laws are very vague. Like usual.

            I am adding a Terms of Use/affiliate marketing page link to my blogs/sites with a simple statement that some of my recommended suggestions will earn me a commission if you purchase something. It is how I feed my family. Which is the truth. Might even add a "How to make money Affiliate Marketing" product offer as well!
            t
            the regulations clearly state that a discosur page wont cut it . it has to be on the page of the aff link.

            I agree with what most everyone else here is saying. Keep it real and be honest, you have nothing to worry about.
            The scammers are the ones that are all pissed about it. unfortunately they will just find another way to scam people and give all marketers a bad name.
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