I’m sure it’s safe to say that everyone in the blogging world saw this day coming and to be completley honest with you I couldn’t be happier about it, the FTC has dropped the hammer on bloggers that get paid to write reviews and it’s long over-due. The news hit late last night, “FTC: Bloggers Must Disclose Paid Reviews“, which means that all of those misleading blog posts ranting and raving about products that are all over the web will now need to disclose that they were in fact paid to write that review.
All though the FTC has no idea how exactly they are going to control or monitor this situation they have already stated that not disclosing paid review information will result in fines of $11,000, makes one think that a blogger doing the wrong thing better be gettin paid fat if they will be paying fines like that.
It looks like all of those bullshit bloggers pushing products that they never really try or products that they would never even glance at in a normal everyday situation will have to clean up their act. Those bloggers pushing those products will no longer be tricking their readers into believing that the blogger actually loves that product that much, instead they will read a disclosure that informs them of the reality of the situation. Said blogger is being paid to do that review, and that review is not based solely on that individuals personal opinion of that specific product.
With dumb internet scams ooozing out of every crack of the wild wild web this really shoulodn’t be much of a surprise to anyone and the bullshit bloggers that profit from bullshit paid reviews will need to get honest in some degree.
I guess right about now I am celebrating the fact that the Extreme John blog never gets paid by anyone to do any reviews, the reviews here are based on my personal experiences and interaction with business’s or various products that I come in contact throughout the day. In many cases my reviews turn into rants that express my frustration with terrible service or a specific product, hell I could have written a rant review about my experience getting two McDonalds coffee’s this morning, but I don’t have the energy for it.
In cases that I review products like my recent coffee reviews of some of my favorite flavored coffee’s from Community Coffee, I don’t write those reviews because I want you to buy their product and I don’t write those reviews because they pay me to do it. I write those reviews because it happens to be something I am actually drinking and trying at the time, and regardless if I love the new Pecan Praline coffee or in cases where I didn’t care for a product you can be sure that it’s an honest UNPAID REVIEW.
Now with the new FTC crackdown on paid reviews done by bloggers and the amount of revenue generated by so many various bloggers out there today it’s safe to say that many bloggers will be looking for loop-holes in the system or ways around disclosing their paid reviews. Here are a few things that I would imagine that bloggers will most likely try to use in order to stay in compliance with the new laws and regulations, I wouldn’t personally recommend using any of the ways below, but regardless I am sure some will.
Ways to Comply with the FTC Blogger Review Laws
- Place a small generic disclosure at the footer of the blog
- Place a font size “1″ text link to the disclosure in each post
- Color any links to the disclosure in a color close to the blog BG color
Again I don’t think that using any of the ways above are an excellent way to do anything, I think doing the above will still keep you locked into the category of a bullshit blogger. I bet that bloggers will see better results by reviewing products that they do not get paid to review, while staying completley honest in regards to their reviews, doing so will build reader respect and confidence in your blog. Would you rather have a one time visitor that hates your review because it was a paid review or would you rather have a reader that passes up on one of your reviews but continues to read your future reviews with a potential for selling something being present? Kind of a no brainer to be, get honest and stay honest.
Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on the new FTC review blogger laws. If you like the place you might consider taking a moment to subscribe to my rss feed or follow me on Twitter @extremejohn .
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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree with you, I’m also happy about this news – both as a blogger but also as a blog reader.
But what’s up with that fine, $11k is a lot, isn’t it?
And this only applies to blog owners within the US, I suppose?
Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Usenet Access Discontinued For Verizon And AT&T – Best Usenet Server Recommendation
@Klaus @ TechPatio, you really need to put the $11,000 fine into perspective, I doubt highly that any new bloggers or even solid medium sized bloggers will ever be hit with an $11,000 fine.
There is also a difference between making an effort and bullshit bloggers that make no effort. My post is not aimed at the FTC, or even Bloggers. It’s aimed at Bullshit Bloggers.
This reminds me a lot of how the RIAA is going after college students in dorm rooms with huge fines. It’s an over reaction to a small problem and probably won’t even fix the real problem.
I also want to know what’s the difference between journalist and bloggers? Why are they going after bloggers and not journalists? As a former newspaper reporter, I go by a similar code of ethics as I did back then.
I don’t plan to change anything up, by adding any labels or colored links. It’s retarded and they need to go after the shady marketers that are really scamming people.
Mike from Daily Shot Of Coffee´s last blog ..Old Town Cafe Review
@Mike from Daily Shot Of Coffee, you make a great point. The same can also be said for a t.v. commercial though it’s visual the message was still paid to be written.
bbrian017´s last blog ..How to monetize your website
@Mike from Daily Shot Of Coffee, you said it very well Mike when you said that you go by a “code of ethics”, the bullshit bloggers don’t even know what a code of ethics is.
I agree I wouldn’t change anything up either.
Hmmm, I can see both sides of this argument. The sad thing is that every time the government makes laws to combat scams, they end up hamstringing authentic people instead. While I definitely agree that there are many BS ‘bloggers’ out there, I’m not too confident that this is the way to fix it. I think that perhaps the legit bloggers out there should start a validation organization. All real bloggers can get accredited by this group and have a seal of approval. Something to think about anyway.
Nate @ CoffeeNate.com´s last blog ..CoffeeNate Episode 19: How To Store Coffee
@Nate @ CoffeeNate.com, it’s the same as any industry that generates any form of decent revenue, it needs to be regulated to some degree or else many things, including the internet would be even nastier than it can already be.
Now on the flip side (and this post will prove that) there are 100 different sides and views to this topic, there will be opposition and before any of that happens there has to be the first case.
If it isn’t 2257 law changes for adult websites, it’s anti-spam laws or in this case Blog review laws. None of these things occur quickly and I’m curious how much opposition will come in regards to this. This would hardly be an open and shut case for the FTC at just about any level.
Just consider the arguments in the first two comments. You might be on to something there and by the time this thing gets rolling there will be plenty of organizations looking to defend it, and plenty of good options in place like the one you mentioned.
I’d do a paid review if:
1. The money was good, and
2. I got license to say what I think.
That is, if I got paid to do a review, and the product sucked, then I get to say flat out that it sucked, and still get paid.
Of course, if they didn’t want me to post it, they could simply pay me as a QA/QC consultant at even higher rates!
Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Practical WordPress Tip #15: Adjust Image Size to Theme Width
@Dave Doolin, and it’s that type of thinking that avoids situations like some silly ass law being passed, it’s just too bad not everyone is willing to take those considerations.
I’ve never written a paid review, but I do agree with you John that these “bullshit bloggers” are going to find loop holes to this situation.
Asswass´s last blog ..Rule #10 Radical Marketing: Be Loyal to your Brand
John,
I guess it’s pretty simple if you think about it. I don’t see what the big deal is to let someone know you’re doing a paid review. This could open opportunities to open new businesses such as paid review authorized type of business. This paid review was authorized by the extremejohn foundation with a big Extreme John stamp lol…
Let’s take yourself as example. You’re a genuine guy and if you were to be pad to do reviews I bet they would be legit ones only.
I understand that eventually money wins all and people sell out. I guess that’s the point of your title.
bbrian017´s last blog ..How to monetize your website
@bbrian017,
The thing is, while I see no harm in marking paid reviews as such, they ‘REAL’ BS reviewers won’t do it! If I am going to rob a bank, I probably don’t mind parking in the fire lane. ;)
Nate @ CoffeeNate.com´s last blog ..CoffeeNate Episode 19: How To Store Coffee
@Nate @ CoffeeNate.com, seriously that analogy was too funny… but at the same time really depressing! It’s amazing how money corrupts all things eventually.
bbrian017´s last blog ..How to monetize your website
@bbrian017,
We ethical bloggers don’t mind pointing out to our visitors that there are links on the site that support us! If we produce valuable content, our visitors will gladly help us out! It all comes back to original, meaningful content that solves problems!
Nate @ CoffeeNate.com´s last blog ..CoffeeNate Episode 19: How To Store Coffee
@Nate @ CoffeeNate.com,
Exactly what I was thinking Nate, just put into a lot better words!
Mike from Daily Shot Of Coffee´s last blog ..Old Town Cafe Review
@bbrian017, I would have to agree Brian, the fact remains that even in the event I were to do paid reviews I would still reserve the right to keep my review MY REVIEW.
Sure I risk the chance of not getting the chance to do a second review for that company, but it certainly makes the companies I would review of a higher standard and more importantly would generate respect for the products that I did review, from my readers.
I see it as a silly law that honestly probably won’t amount to more than a flea bite for anyone in the next couple of years. I do however see it as a great way to get the weaker bottom feeders to move on.
@Extreme John, Just adding my few cents to the above discussion:
There is also the authority and credibility factor. For example if a blogger review a product he has not even tested. If he has some luck and the product is a superhit, thats great. But what if they product or service is found to be scam some months later and that many of the readers who read on the blogger blog and went to try it ended up as being the poor victims?
The blogger will lose his credibility as he has advertised a scam product.
Kurt Avish´s last blog ..Earthquake Near Mauritius – Magnitude 6.0
Say what you mean — why dontcha!
I like that!
Oops sorry can’t type today!
Dee@Good Morning America´s last blog ..Goblins: Not Only on Halloween
Hi Extreme John. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I agree with you that there’s a lot of bullshit out there, but $11,000 is a lot of scooby snacks, and most people who do these paid reviews are doing so because they aren’t exactly rolling in the cash.
My political philosophy is the fewer laws and government intervention in our lives, the better. However, the government should help to prevent smooth talkers and hustlers from infringing on the rights of others, and the paid reviewing does fall under that category, in my opinion.
And what constitutes a “paid” review. What if the company “paid” the blogger by letting him have the product for free? Could this be used as a backdoor, sleazy way to start censoring the blogosphere? ALWAYS be skeptical of the government. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve used tactics like that to gain control of something.
Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment´s last blog ..Free Music Download: Purgatory
@Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment, there is no question that the more laws the less freedoms is always a concern, the sad reality is that we control so much less of that now than we ever did before. I can write a weeks worth of rants about it, I would just rather use my energy elsewhere.
In regards to the smooth talkers and scammers, it wouldn’t be a bad thing seeing a few less of them.
Hi John. My take on this one is I like the move. Regardless if BS Bloggers find loopholes to go around this one, I think that it will at a minimum decrease the amount of Paid Reviews you see out there. On the other hand, the FTC should also regulate (and I believe that is also included) advertisers as well as Networks who actually promote this stuff and demand from them some certain decency with regards to this. Unfortunately, most of the advertisers are really looking to manipulate web rankings rather than their product being actually reviewed honestly. Coincidence, that I also did a post on this one, yesterday:)
DiTesco´s last blog ..Federal Trade Commission To Regulate Bloggers
this is why i love your blog john.. you are honest and your experience… just rock
EarningStep´s last blog ..How to optimize keyword on your blog – increase your blog quality instantly part two
It is going to be interesting to see what the bloggers and companies will do. Greg Ellison
Greg Ellison´s last blog ..First Time Home Buyers in the USA
I’m getting ready to post my two cents on the matter and I wanted to see what others are thinking. Most of what I read earlier was basically crying about it. I came straight here and I’m not surprised we share similar opinions. I was just eluding to the same thing a week or two ago on my personal blog. Overall, if the scammers are put to rest more people will feel better about online purchases. That helps all of us except the dishonest marketers and bloggers.
I think it is very good for bloggers as the advertisers on paid per post networks were forcing the bloggers not to disclose. Now this cannot happen.
Steve´s last blog ..VistaPrint – 250 Free Business Cards
I admit to it, I hold my hands up! I have done paid reviews, but, I have been honest and if I don’t like something I’m going to let my readers know that I don’t.
I think it’s the bloggers that give a positive review on everything, even stuff they haven’t see or used that has caused the problem in the first place … better stop there all I’ll start ranting
Karen @ Blazing Minds´s last blog ..Who’s The Band? – Davidoth
I think its Good and Bad.. Good to all those people who all depend on false reviews by bloggers and bad for bloggers.. I am sure many bloggers earn a lot of money by writing reviews and this will effect them for sure..
Compute Live´s last blog ..Petabyte – What is a Petabyte? – How much data makes a Petabyte?
I don’t know what’s FTC and I don’t think they have any control on us
At least I don’t think they will be coming to India and fining $11000(Rs.4,95,000). No one will pay that
Typhoon´s last blog ..Techniques for Writing Short Articles on your Blog
@Typhoon, It looks like, that rule applies only to US people. Isn’t it
Never done. Never will do.
I simply does not get along with this idea of paid review. I do promote affiliate products or at time include ads in my posts but not paid reviews.
As for the affiliate products, I often try to include it whenever it can be helpful to someone. At times some articles can also look like paid reviews even though it is not..and when I feel am writing something (eg launch of a new product that look cool)… I’ll either mention from where I read it or simple say if I was offered a trial to test.
And if something sucks…I tell it frankly whether the readers like it or not lol.
Kurt Avish´s last blog ..Teacup Pigs For Sale
I’m not sure if the FTC guidelines even distinguish between a paid review and affiliate marketing in general. Professional web publishers see a lot of nuance and ethical guidelines that are likely to be lost on bureaucrats who don’t specialize in the field they’re trying to regulate. It seems like “any material connection” or financial relationship has to be disclosed under the same disclaimer, and its going to make the honest guys carry the same kind of label.
Meanwhile, publishers outside the U.S. won’t have to disclose anything, and they’ll end up looking like the legit ones. If this is taken too seriously, we won’t accomplish much but outsourcing the entire web publishing/marketing sector to other nations.
I’m kind of worried that this effects me directly. I review and recommend some products I use personally, but how am I supposed to know if my experience is “typical?” What if I love the host I’m using, but someone spilled coffee on the server next to the one my sites are on?
Between the global nature of the web, the impossible problem of actually tracking every financial relationship of every blog, and the way legit bloggers might get swept into the disclaimer pile, I don’t see any real good coming out of this. Then again, I have no financial incentive to promote a broad interpretation of the rules – so as far as I’m concerned, this is only aimed at obvious scammers and the rest of us should just ignore it.
Really though, this kind of blunt & clumsy government activity scares the crap out of me.
John@Web Biz´s last blog ..SideWiki – Hardly Worth Writing About
I have no opinion either way but I do think the Federal government is a JOKE and more corrupt then anyone so
I may be going MOBILE across this whole damn country 
If anyone wants me to write something for money send it via paypal LOL 
I avoid them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnxbuCg0Hkk&feature=related
John Sullivan´s last blog ..Blogging news you can’t use
“If I am going to rob a bank, I probably don’t mind parking in the fire lane. ;)” – LOL!
Well I guess this will make it less frustrating next time I try to choose web hosting or a laptop.
But at what point do you have to disclose something? I’ve never written a paid review, but if I’ve written about something I thought was good, I’ve often joined its affiliate program and put the links in. So does that then become a ‘paid review’ for the purpose of this law?
I can feel some extra work coming on…
annabelt – Ebusiness Technology´s last blog ..Back to your Desks, Peasants!
I think it’s great!! Most decent bloggers who do product reviews that they’re paid for will tell you that they’re being paid.. That’s part of why you trust them anyway.. they’re honest!
Hard Rocking South African@Music Judge´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
How does the FTC hope to monitor this fake review stuff when it’s those “jamesmakesmoneyonline” types of internet schemes that are the real problem? and nothing ever seems to get done about them. Check the FBI statistics for the “nigerian letter” scam, it’s still pulling in millions of dollars from morons who think they can get in on some deposed ruler’s misfortune.
Dick@pargazer.com´s last blog ..This Halloween Trick Or Treat In Your RV
Some Bloggers are getting hard head they always doing some unethical way to promote their blogs.
Noah Group´s last blog ..Noah Group: Offering Financial Stability for your Future
I reckon being one of those bullshit bloggers I should be feeling bad about now, but I don’t.
I’ve done bloody hundreds of paid reviews and I’m pretty sure I’ve never come out and said that a particular product is great unless I knew something about it.
The problem is that most of the time advertisers do not want you to disclose that it is a paid post. Now it seems they have to so it is a good thing.
One question though. Does the FTC have any power outside of the US?
Sire@WassupBlog´s last blog ..A Poem For Halloween The Night Of Frights
AntiCelebrity´s last blog .."Don’t want the world second guessing my heart*" (Dead By Sunrise – Linkin Park side project)
I have mixed feelings about the FTC getting involved: it’s like you said, I don’t know what they can really do, and I’m scared of increased regulation on the Internet.
At the same time, bloggers – including some very high profile ones – have accepted money and done “reviews” that were some of the most dishonest posts ever written. Moreover, when questioned about this, they defended the practice like as if they had died for our sins. I wrote about this a while ago:
http://www.ashokkarra.com/2007/06/on-blogging-having-an-opinion-and-the-quality-and-trustworthiness-of-your-voice/
I don’t like the idea that the federal government has to get involved in order to demonstrate to people the most basic sense of morality. But if it has to be that way, it has to be that way perhaps.
ashok´s last blog ..On Robert Bly’s “Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter”
I want to know how the FCC will impose this. How can they tell if the blog is paid review or not. Also as this law is only for US bloggers only, they can’t really tell if you are blogging from the US or not unless you say so in your blog.
ZXT´s last blog ..Tweet your way to $100 and more
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