Your audience trusts you because you keep it real. They rely on your honest take when they’re deciding on the next piece of gear for their weekend hike or that must-have tool for their adventure.
But with the FTC’s new guidelines that hit in July 2023, the game just got a little more serious. These rules crack down on fake reviews, shady incentives, and hidden connections. As a RockPorch creator, it’s your job to know the new rules—and make sure you’re playing by them.
So, what does that mean for you? It means no more guessing if what you’re doing is okay. We’re breaking it down in plain English so you can keep posting your honest reviews without worrying about stepping on the FTC’s toes. Let’s dive in.
Synopsis
You can read up on the full 163 page document here, but we thought you might prefer the Cliff’s Notes version….
Fake Reviews and Testimonials: It bans the selling, purchasing, or creation of fake consumer reviews or testimonials. This includes reviews written by people who have not actually used the product or service.
Incentivized Reviews: Companies cannot offer compensation or incentives (like discounts or free products) in exchange for positive or negative reviews unless the incentives are fully disclosed.
Insider Reviews: The rule addresses reviews written by company insiders, like employees, officers, or family members, without clearly disclosing the relationship.
Review Hijacking: Prevents repurposing reviews meant for one product to falsely promote another.
Review Suppression: It is illegal to suppress negative reviews or to only display positive ones, creating a false perception of a product’s rating.
Fake Social Media Influence: The rule also prohibits the buying or selling of fake social media engagement (e.g., fake followers, likes, and comments).
Action Items for RockPorch Creators
Full Disclosure: RockPorch Creators should always disclose any relationships with brands when promoting their products, including sponsored content or gifted items. Disclosures must be clear and easily noticeable in posts, captions, and reviews.
Avoid Paid Manipulation: Do not engage in or accept compensation for writing misleading or fake reviews. If incentives are provided, ensure that they are clearly communicated to followers.
Transparency in Social Media Influence: RockPorch Creators should avoid buying or selling fake social media indicators, like followers or engagement, as this violates the FTC’s new rule.
Honest Reviews Only: Always provide genuine reviews based on personal experience. Never participate in efforts to falsify reviews for personal gain or to harm competitors.
Do Not Suppress Negative Feedback: If you run a blog, website, or other review platforms, do not filter out negative reviews to present an unfairly positive image of a product or service.
Here’s the thing: your audience follows you because they trust you. You’re the real deal. And now, more than ever, transparency isn’t just important—it’s required.
The FTC’s new rules aren’t here to trip you up. They’re about keeping the marketplace fair and keeping trust front and center. So, as long as you’re being real (which you already are), you’re good to go. Just remember to disclose partnerships, avoid paid-for reviews that don’t come with clear labels, and, of course, be honest. Always.
Let’s keep rocking, the right way.
RockPorch is a platform and community that helps passion-driven Creators get a leg up in affiliate marketing without jumping through hoops for brands, juggling multiple platforms, or feeling gimmicky. If you’d like to chat strategy with our Creator development team or learn more about how RockPorch can help you become a successful Creatorpreneur™, please send us an email at creatorsupport@rockporch.com.
