FTC and How It Affects Your Blog

By Bruce · Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) – october 6, 2009 — “If a blogger or online reviewer raves about a product, would you want to know if the person was paid to say what they did – or was given the product for free? The Federal Trade Commission thinks you should.” (taken from the Associated Press)

Now I am not sure what prompted this, probably some lawsuit of some kind that proved out misrepresentation of a website advertising or giving a review of a product or service that was not true. The FTC will require that bloggers state whether they are getting freebies or payments from companies for reviewing their products.

The Associated Press article goes on to state, ”advertisers that feature testimonials that claim dramatic results have to back up those statements – and can’t just hide behind disclaimers that the results aren’t typical. The rules take effect December 1 – and violators could get sanctions, including a lawsuit.”

What does this mean to all of us bloggers, whether business or personal? It means simply to keep high standards when writing articles in your blog. Sounds like common sense, but just realize it is the government making sure your are 1) honestly reviewing the product or service you are featuring and if you are getting paid to review that product or service – and, 2) if you are making any dramatic claims of product or service performance, that you can honestly provide details of your findings, including real testimonials from real people that you are ready to prove they really do exist.

There seems to be a big uproar in the blogosphere about the latest FTC ruling that is going to go into effect December 1. If you are just portraying your product and service reviews honestly and presenting your own product or service honestly, you need not fear anything from Uncle Sam. Apparently this ruling is just going after the scores of internet scammers out there. If you look at it that way, no problem!

Click here to see the FTC press release.

Post your comments here….I am really interested in what you have to say!!