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