Halloween Scary FTC & Affiliates

Bill the Builder · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 09:42 PM

Halloween Scary FTC & Affiliates

When I heard about this tonight I thought it was another ghost story. But it sounds true http://ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endo...esfnnotice.pdf

FTC is cracking down on scammers and is now going to require full disclosures from promoters, blogs and websites who have reviews for products they are promoting.

I'm not an attorney, but I know Google has them and wonder how this is going to affect adsense as well.

It all begins on December 1, 2009.

MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Bill the Builder · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 12:11 PM

Hi,
Maybe my first post was to goofy. But, I am considering using and/or promoting some affiliate products. Bigger But, what are the concerns of meeting the new FTC guidelines?

Here is easy to read link http://www.sitepronews.com/2009/10/2...-endorsements/

Is everyone just kind of ignoring this or are the affiliate people here doing something about it? And if so, what?

Thanks

James · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 02:32 PM

I took a look at the information and found it to be interesting except that they took a long time to suggest various potential issues and how they would be treated without ever telling you want the rules were in a simple 1,2,3.

My conclusion is that if I do two things there is never going to be an issue and I would always do them anyway.

First, I would include in a "disclaimer" or "legal matters" page linked to in a footer which includes information stating that certain links and other ads of the page are to affiliates that may reimburse me in some way.

Second, I would only make personal statements in my content that are truthful from my own experience. Somehow these regulators ignore the claims of the Sham Wow guy but they may not ignore us!

That's about it.

sequencehosting · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

First, I would include in a "disclaimer" or "legal matters" page linked to in a footer which includes information stating that certain links and other ads of the page are to affiliates that may reimburse me in some way.

This is really good advice. I also added this to my legal page after watching a online marketing show. The guy said this will be enough for us smaller guys. It's the big players they are targeting.

Bill the Builder · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 11:24 PM

I absolutely always add a terms of site use and a privacy policy on every site I build. I just was not sure how far you need to take it. I am just getting started with affiliate offerings and I certainly would not want to get burnt.

I am hoping they are mostly focusing on bloggers and builders who pretend to have tried to the product with a review for only intended purpose of the sale. It seems they don't like people receiving free products although they did not say much about commissions.

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