I follow tons of blogger on social media. I love seeing their creativity, style, and supporting them in their journey. But there is one thing that drives me crazy - when bloggers don’t disclose when they are getting paid for the post.
I don’t know if it’s the lawyer in me or the consumer, but it is so aggravating. AND it violates the law! The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) requires you to disclose when you are given compensation in exchange for an ad, or review, of a product. For example, when you see bloggers’ instagram posts about skinny tea, water, teeth whitening, and even clothes or jewelry. It doesn’t have to be specific language and you don’t need a lawyer to write it. Disclosing blog advertising can be as simple as a hashtag (#ad or #spon are popular) or short sentence. You just have to make it clear to the people reading your site that you were paid to do it.
Recently, instagram’s most followed celeb (Selena Gomez) posted a pic of her drinking some Coca-Cola. Selena is one of the faces of Coca-Cola’s share a song campaign, and she didn’t disclose that on her pic. Selena makes $550,000 PER INSTAGRAM POST. Does that change your opinion of her pic sipping some Coke? Maybe, maybe not. But aren’t you glad you at least have that knowledge?
Disclosing blog advertising and sponsorship is easy to do and so important - it could be the difference between an FTC investigation that gets both you and the brand in trouble, or a problem-free campaign.
On another note, this DVF dress is so fun. I loved twirling around in it. Paired it with this dope choker layered with a y necklace to spice things up a bit. Everything is linked below. Xo, AL
pics: Angie Garcia
This post contains affiliate links 🙂
26 Comments
This dress looks gorgeous on you! Thanks for sharing about disclosing sponsorship- it’s definitely important to blog legally!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Thanks Katie!! So important and so easy to do!
I could not agree more! Luckily a lot of companies will require you to state you’re being paid for a post with #ad, #sponsored, or just a sentence stating you’ve teamed up with them, but I’ve had companies tell me NOT to disclose! I’m like, uhhh that’s against the law and no. Ha. Good for you!
That’s so horrible that companies actually ask you not to disclose!! I bet the general counsel for those companies would NOT be happy if he/she heard about that haha.
Such a pretty dress! I agree, it’s so important to disclose no matter what. I have had brands request I didn’t so I stopped working with them immediately.
xoxo, Jenny
Thanks Jenny!! Good for you! That’s horrible that brands actually request that you don’t disclose!
I’m all too familiar with consumer protection regulation - I work in the field in DC!
Kayla || Keynotes from Kay
Awesome!! Does it drive you crazy as well when people don’t follow the regs?
I have the same watch! Love it!
yay twins!!
It especially irks me when the bigger bloggers do it! I know that there are times when they actually do pay for what they showcase (because that’s how I do it on my own Instagram) but sometimes it’s just so obvious but there’s no disclosure! Frustrating!
xo
Sami
http://www.theclassicbrunette.com
1) this dress is super cute, great styling! 2)Yes it is super frustrating. I think sometimes people forget or don’t realize that even if you receive a product for free that it’s still sponsored and you still have to include that you received the object in exchange for a review.
Beautiful dress, babe! xo, sharon
http://www.stylelullaby.com
I am in love with your dress!
Thanks Sarah!
I think it’s so important for people to have a disclosure statement when they’re being compensated in any way, for obvious reasons! It blows my mind when people don’t disclose!
I love this dress! DVF always has the best prints and fit for dresses!
Laura B. | http://www.LauraWears.com
If I could make as much bank as Selena does from my Instagram…dang. This dress is SO cute by the way!
-Meagan | Love by Meagan
Gorgeous dress!! And you’re so right about this! When you’re getting paid to post about something, it’s so easy to ad in a line to your blog post or a simple hashtag to a social media post!! I don’t understand why some bloggers don’t do it.
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
That dress is so cute! I love the tiers. I also hate when people on Instagram don’t disclose sponsored posts, but it annoys me to no end when it’s sponsored post after sponsored post after sponsored post.
Tori
http://www.mooretori.com
Love this outfit! And I totally agree — disclosing sponsorship is super important but something that a lot of bloggers neglect to do. Thanks for sharing the legality of it!
I can’t believe Selena makes that much per post. I guess Coke was happy that it was the most liked post ever on Instagram so far. I agree that it’s misleading when blogger’s don’t disclose sponsorships. I have noticed a lot more bloggers using #ad or #spon on social though.
I always always make sure that I disclose when a blog post is sponsored. I’m baffled that Selena makes that much on Instagram! Geez. Our society needs to switch out some priorities..
This dress looks beautiful on you!! And so important that you shared the FTC disclosure with us! I feel like sometimes people forget that. Also, Selena makes 550,000 per IG post?! CAN SHE PAY MY TUITION PLZ?!
xoxo
Amy | Pastel N Pink
Hahaha!!! SERIOUSLY, Selena, gimme some of that!
Thanks for the post insights! Totally Love the dress!
xoxo Dani