All Web writers need to be sure that they review the Federal Trade Commission’s updated regulations regarding testimonials and endorsements. 
For the first time in nearly 3 decades, the FTC has updated its regulations to account for blogging and online advertising. The purpose of the updated regulations is to help ensure that consumers are not getting misleading or false information from social media sources that they may be more inclined to trust than traditional advertising sources.
These changes will take effect on December 1, 2009. Read about them here.
In short, the FTC regulations require that:
- Bloggers who receive free products to review in their blogs disclose that the products were provided to them for free.
- If a blogger makes a claim about a product that cannot be substantiated - or that is incorrect - the blogger and the company who provided the blogger with the product can be held liable.
To be sure that they are being mindful of the new regulations, bloggers and Web writers should provide as many facts as possible to support their claims. (more…)