Fast, Free & Easy Way To Comply With FTC Blog Rules

As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the FTC has released new regulations that directly apply to Bloggers & Social Media.

Basically, they (we) must disclose any type of benefit, payment, free samples, etc. that is received for publishing information about a product or service. We must also disclose if we have a relationship with the company or product we are endorsing.

There’s already been a lot written about this and a lot more to come, I’m sure.

What I want to pass on to you is a tip on a fast, free and easy way for you to comply with these guidelines.

If you don’t want to clutter up your posts with lots of extra paragraphs explaining your “Disclosure”, you can have a simple link at the bottom of your post that looks like this:

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

When readers click on the link, they will be taken to the full disclosure, which looks like this:

DigComm launched CMP.ly which addresses the new FTC guidelines for endorsements and provides a simple and easy method to disclose material connections in the content that you publish.  Cmp.ly disclosures follow a standard naming convention that is easy for readers to understand and can be used for disclosures in print, online, SMS, tweets or other digital communications.

There are 5 disclosure options right now and one in the works for a custom version:

CMP.ly/0 – No conflict, unpaid, my own opinions

CMP.ly/1 – Based upon a review copy

CMP.ly/2 – Given a sample by vendor/agency/brand

CMP.ly/3 – Paid post – cash payment or other compensation

CMP.ly/4 – Employee/shareholder/business relationship

CMP.ly/5 – Custom Disclosure

Below, I’ve listed some links that may interest you for more on the FTC Guidelines:

Ad Group Calls on FTC to Rescind Blogger Rules

FTC: Bloggers, testamonials need better disclosure

Commentary And Analysis: The FTC’s New Blogger And Social Media Advertiser Guides by Indie Beauty Network. Of which, I’m a member – not sure if I needed to disclose that

Bloggers Mugged by Regulators: The FTC wants to police book reviews on Twitter

The FTC Guidelines go in to effect December 1, 2009.

I wonder how this is going to affect affiliates? Maybe it would be a business relationship or a Custom disclosure? What do you think?

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0