FTC Expected To Crack Down On Bloggers' Sponsored Posts

nate · 2009-05-19, 05:35 PM

From the truth in advertising department...

Blogola: The FTC Takes On Paid Posts
The Federal Trade Commission wants bloggers to disclose when they've been wooed with cash or freebies from companies they cover

By Douglas MacMillan

Readers of Adventures in Babywearing, a blog for parents, got an up-close look at the Ergo, a $135 embroidered baby carrier in a shade called "organic blue" in a May 14 post on the site. Blog operator Stephanie Precourt was impressed. "The Ergo truly is now my first choice for long-term wear as well as nursing and doing chores around the house," she wrote.

Money can't buy that kind of advertising for Maui (Hawaii)-based ERGObaby. Or can it? As Precourt wrote in her blog, the company sent the carrier free, along with a matching pouch and backpack. Precourt says it's legitimate to blog about a product she's been given by its manufacturer. "I try to keep my blog filled with personal stories and real-life content so that when I do happen to write about something that I've been given, it's credible," she says in an e-mail.

But such back-scratching endorsements could become tougher under a coming set of Federal Trade Commission guidelines designed to clarify how companies can court bloggers to write about their products. This summer, the government agency is expected to issue new advertising guidelines that will require bloggers to disclose when they're writing about a sponsor's product and voicing opinions that aren't their own. The new FTC guidelines say that blog authors should disclose when they're being compensated by an advertiser to discuss a product.

http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...s+%2B+analysis

Maj. Stress · 2009-05-19, 06:35 PM

I'd like to see how the government defines a blog. Then they will have to figure out affiliates blogs. How do I know if my blog post is compensated or not when I get paid by commission?
I'm confident they will make a total mess of this and it won't become law for years while the courts figure it out.

Useless · 2009-05-19, 08:03 PM

Unless they plan on issuing us press credentials, they can go fuck themselves and their silly little law. Blogs are based on opinion and it doesn't matter what influences that opinion. Anyone expecting journalistic integrity on a blog is a giant douchebag.

Mr Spock · 2009-05-20, 02:44 PM

Seems a bit lame anyway , surely everyone knows that you get paid if you are punting a product. If any blogger is actively discussing/pushing a product for which he doesn't get remunerated either via advertising/affiliate commission then they are just stupid.

NinjaSteve · 2009-05-28, 12:06 AM

Well, not only people from America are blogging. The FTC can't control the world.

2009-05-19, 05:35 PM	#1
nate I can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Merica! Posts: 543	FTC Expected To Crack Down On Bloggers' Sponsored Posts From the truth in advertising department... Blogola: The FTC Takes On Paid Posts The Federal Trade Commission wants bloggers to disclose when they've been wooed with cash or freebies from companies they cover By Douglas MacMillan Readers of Adventures in Babywearing, a blog for parents, got an up-close look at the Ergo, a $135 embroidered baby carrier in a shade called "organic blue" in a May 14 post on the site. Blog operator Stephanie Precourt was impressed. "The Ergo truly is now my first choice for long-term wear as well as nursing and doing chores around the house," she wrote. Money can't buy that kind of advertising for Maui (Hawaii)-based ERGObaby. Or can it? As Precourt wrote in her blog, the company sent the carrier free, along with a matching pouch and backpack. Precourt says it's legitimate to blog about a product she's been given by its manufacturer. "I try to keep my blog filled with personal stories and real-life content so that when I do happen to write about something that I've been given, it's credible," she says in an e-mail. But such back-scratching endorsements could become tougher under a coming set of Federal Trade Commission guidelines designed to clarify how companies can court bloggers to write about their products. This summer, the government agency is expected to issue new advertising guidelines that will require bloggers to disclose when they're writing about a sponsor's product and voicing opinions that aren't their own. The new FTC guidelines say that blog authors should disclose when they're being compensated by an advertiser to discuss a product. http://www.businessweek.com/technolo...s+%2B+analysis __________________ Its just a jump to the left.

2009-05-19, 08:03 PM	#3
Useless Certified Nice Person Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Dirty Undies, NY Posts: 11,268	Unless they plan on issuing us press credentials, they can go fuck themselves and their silly little law. Blogs are based on opinion and it doesn't matter what influences that opinion. Anyone expecting journalistic integrity on a blog is a giant douchebag. __________________ Click here to purchase a bridge I'm selling.

2009-05-28, 12:06 AM	#5
NinjaSteve Trying is the first step towards failure Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 122	Well, not only people from America are blogging. The FTC can't control the world. __________________ .

2009-05-19, 06:35 PM	#2
Maj. Stress Progress rarely comes in buckets, it normally comes in teaspoons Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dark Side Of Naboo Posts: 1,289	I'd like to see how the government defines a blog. Then they will have to figure out affiliates blogs. How do I know if my blog post is compensated or not when I get paid by commission? I'm confident they will make a total mess of this and it won't become law for years while the courts figure it out.

2009-05-20, 02:44 PM	#4
Mr Spock You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vulcan Posts: 695	Seems a bit lame anyway , surely everyone knows that you get paid if you are punting a product. If any blogger is actively discussing/pushing a product for which he doesn't get remunerated either via advertising/affiliate commission then they are just stupid.