Comments on: Three Views of the Proposed FTC Rule Changes

By: Phil Barnhart

Phil Barnhart — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:22:52 +0000

Excluding twitter for the moment, why not use an existing paradigm to deal with affiliate links – semantically as microformats?. Something as simple as rel=”affiliate” might be sufficient. A more complex microformat might identify the advertiser or network (a la rel=”license” microformat”).

This way, the small percentage of people who may be concerned can download the inevitable plugin if needed, management and links to privacy and disclosure pages automated, etc. Of course, the real drivers of this may need to the actual affiliate programs – if CJ for example put this in their auto code generation tool.

As for Twitter, the major URL shorteners like BudURL could simply set up a complementary domain for affiliate/sponsored links and maintain the disclosure on their site via a link preview function. Again, it would help if Twitter then autotagged the URL.

A modest proposal, at least. And requires no one else’s permission to start!

By: FTC Blogola Roundup: The Jury Is Out « The SiliconANGLE

FTC Blogola Roundup: The Jury Is Out « The SiliconANGLE — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:41:03 +0000

[...] Pro-FTC: Either moderately in favor of the guidelines, or leaning that way. – FTC moves to require disclosure of ‘blogola’ – What to Make of FTC Paid Post Regulations – On the Horizon: New FTC Disclosure Regulations For Mommybloggers? – Three Views of the Proposed FTC Rule Changes [...]

By: Elaine Smith

Elaine Smith — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:44:15 +0000

This is a great resource.

By: Marlene

Marlene — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:36:17 +0000

Thanks for this, it gives me something to think about for my own blog. Marlenes last blog post..Coming Full Circle

By: Jendi

Jendi — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:27:50 +0000

I'm trying to stay informed, but not really worrying about it. I think it's right that the reader should know if compensation was given for the review. Great views with a ton of additional reading! Jendis last blog post..Buzz a Mom: LaTara Ham-Ying

By: Casual Friday Every Day

Casual Friday Every Day — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:40:51 +0000

I agree with Lynette. And I echo her questions. As a full time affiliate marketer I write reviews on products I like and use, and sometimes "overviews" of products in which I simply spell out what you get from the product, but I don't give any personal feelings on the product. I'll keep an eye on this as it unfolds, but at this time I'm not too terribly concerned. We'll see... Nell Casual Friday Every Days last blog post..You Capture: Famiglia

By: Lynette Chandler

Lynette Chandler — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:24:52 +0000

I’m with Alan on this. While it seems like a good thing but it also puts a squeeze on smaller businesses. I’ve been working my home business for many years now and one thing I know is that our definition of honesty and the law’s definition can be totally different things.

What I would like to know is what is considered a review? Is it a review when we post a personal experience and link to the product through an affiliate link even though the company never solicited it from us? Is it a review when we add a paragraph about our favorite product in an informational post and link to it using our affiliate links?

By: gnarly

gnarly — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:10:17 +0000

I for one am very pleased to see that the FTC is finally going to do something on the internet. I don't think any of this will effect any of my businesses, primarily because I'm honest. So I'm no worried. gnarlys last blog post..The Initiative

By: Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Ever

Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Ever — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:07:45 +0000

Honest bloggers have nothing to worry about with these proposed regulations. I'm not worried. If anything, it should help clean up the mess of shill blog reviews out there! Christina Gleason @ Cutest Kid Evers last blog post..Dear Kid Saturday - Starting Therapy

By: Alan Petersen

Alan Petersen — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:02:24 +0000

Although the FTC is trying to do good and I agree that bloggers/marketers should be honest and transparent about their reviews it worries me whenever the government tries to do the "right thing" because they usually end up going over board in their zealousness. Recent laws and more taxes are putting hard-working, decent affiliate marketers out of business (like what happened in New York). I hope they go after the bad apples without throwing out the whole bunch! Alan Petersens last blog post..Should You do Product Reviews?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:48:03 +0000

This really is the buzz lately – and it’s good to know what the intent of the FTC is! False claims – by anyone – have to be addressed – and in the end, while this may reduce the number of giveaways & contests some bloggers offer – Honest opinions are what I’m always looking for when it comes to the usefulness or effectiveness of a product.

Debbies last blog post..Online Foodies to Rock Your Taste Buds!