Recent changes internet marketing rules

[Brian_C]

Hi all,

I'm sure you've heard about the changes by the FCC. I've been following it as best I can, but I'm wondering if we have to modify the ads we post on our blogs via the sidebar widget. Do we have to make any disclaimers on these ads?

I see most of the talk is about using testimonials, so I thought I'd ask if it applies to other links which we make money from. I recently saw a blog post from the Market Samurai team where they made it very clear that if you click the link they would make a commission, and they also provided another link which they noted was a commission free option.

Any information would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Brian

[Allison]

Hi Brian

Never take advice from a forum as legal advice.

So saying that

1. FTC amendments come in to play as of December 1st
2. These rules have been in place for the last 8 years and the modifications are aimed at particular claims made by people
3. You are not meant to be tricking your customers by offering a link to click on, you are offering them a solution to a problem they have. Declaring on your blog somewhere that you earn an affiliate commission from links on it is not going to upset anyone
4. Here is a plain english review of the FTC rule changes by an internet lawyer (note there are sales links in the report... ironic !)

[PpcJen]

Here is a great blog post about this topic by John Carlton.

A Big Steaming Cup of Hysteria

I especially like this post because he is calm and practical about the whole thing. It seemed to make a lot more sense after I read it.

I think this law - as it applies to us - is very straightforward. Tell people that you earn money if they click on links on your website in a simple blog post. Just like John did in his "PS" at the end of this post.

**This is not legal advice. Only my opinion. **