Comments on: FTC Says Bloggers Must Disclose Payments

By: Mak Doodle

Mak Doodle — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 12:51:00 +0000

It will take awhile to really have any impact. But I like the idea that everyone should be transparent with what they are selling. You can have an honest review and still let people know you might earn money if they buy it.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:09:38 +0000

An interesting update at Fast Company. No $11,000 fines.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:00:53 +0000

Just another law that nobody will enforce. I plan on putting a brief description in a text widget just saying that the links above may provide compensation for sales associated through this page. The is enough discloser. I would imagine the FTC jus wants people to know that an ad may be false or misleading based on the compensation you receive for someone going there…..kinda like side affects for all these darn meds out there. We have to hear about every stupid one in every stupid commercial.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:46:44 +0000

Disclosure on a per post basis is probably the safest, and depending on how exactly they want it done, a brief, generic disclosure on the footer of each page might help for those times one forgets. Something along the lines of posts and links may or may not be paid for, etc.

But this can make things a little tricky if you just like a product you bought and don’t have an affiliate link for or any other sort of potential for consideration. Telling the difference between a “wow this is a cool product I bought” post that is legitimately just that and one that is paid for is going to be quite a challenge for the FTC.

By: vered | Social Media Consultant

vered | Social Media Consultant — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:12:31 +0000

Yup, I’m sure there will be a lot of talk.

I’m guessing one would need to add a disclosure to each post they were compensated for.

I have mixed feelings about this. I worry that small bloggers who are unaware of this rule might be hit with a fine.