Important FTC Compliance Guidelines
The following claims are listed as deceptive by the FTC and are therefore prohibited on all Sponsored Listings placements: (http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/redflag/falseclaims.html)
The product will lead to substantial weight loss for all users.
The product will lead to permanent weight loss.
Users of the product can eat as much as they want (or can consume unlimited amounts of high calorie foods) and still lose weight.
Users of the product can lose fat from specific body parts.
The product blocks or absorbs fat or calories.
The product works when applied to the body or skin.
The product leads to substantial weight loss (more than 2 pounds per week) without need for exercise or calorie reduction.
Users of the product can safely lose more than three pounds per week for four or more weeks.
Blog sites should not specify where the blogger lives; IP addresses are not to be used to customize the location.
Blog advertisers/sites must add this disclaimer on the landing page:
THE STORY DEPICTED ON THIS SITE AND THE PERSON DEPICTED IN THE STORY ARE NOT REAL. RATHER, THIS STORY IS BASED ON THE RESULTS THAT SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE USED THESE PRODUCTS HAVE ACHIEVED. THE RESULTS PORTRAYED IN THE STORY AND IN THE COMMENTS ARE ILLUSTRATIVE, AND MAY NOT BE THE RESULTS THAT YOU ACHIEVE WITH THESE PRODUCTS. THIS PAGE RECEIVES COMPENSATION FOR CLICKS ON OR PURCHASE OF PRODUCTS FEATURED ON THIS SITE.
Use of the term "FREE" as per FTC Guidelines:
- If the creative or landing page features the word "FREE" as in a "FREE" sample of the product or a "Free" trial (control-F and enter "free" for quick search on the landing page), the terms and conditions surrounding the term "FREE" must be clearly indicated. (e.g., paying shipping & handling fees, completing consumer surveys or providing personal information) http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1997/05/online.shtm
- All FREE claims must include an asterisk (referencing fees incurred) next to each use of the term "FREE."
- If the term "FREE" is used on the creative, the asterisk may refer to one line on the creative and also must be addressed on the landing page. (e.g., s&h applies)
- Each and every time the term "FREE" is used on the landing page, it must be accompanied by an asterisk, referencing text on the landing page that details the costs associated with the "Free" product. (e.g., auto-enrollment into a recurring payment plan or fees incurred if the product is not returned within a given time frame.)
- Costs and fees indicated by the asterisk must be written in a uniform format. (e.g., the wording may not say "pay only $5.95 for shipping; if you don’t cancel within 14 days, you will be charged seventy-six dollars and fifty-two cents." The proper format is: “… charged $76.52.")