Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
FTC Warns Influencers about Disclosure Violations
The commission sent out more than 90 letters, marking the first time it has reached out to social media influencers directly to “educate” them.
Washington, D.C.--The Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to take a harder look at sponsored internet posts is continuing in earnest.
In the fall, reports emerged that the commission was starting to crack down on companies and marketers to ensure that the proper guidelines for disclosure were being followed on social media.
Now, it seems the conversation is being carried over to influencers as well.
After reviewing Instagram posts by a number of celebrities, athletes and other influencers, the FTC said it sent out more than 90 letters reminding them to disclose any relationships they might have with brands when they’re promoting them on social media.
The FTC said this is the first time it has reached out directly to social media influencers to “educate” them. (It isn’t publicly releasing the names of the recipients of said letters.)
The letters came in response to petitions filed by Public Citizen and other consumer advocacy groups.
One of the first things the commission did in its letters was remind the influencers of the FTC Endorsement Guides.
According to the guides, if there’s a “material connection” between endorser and advertiser--a connection that might affect a consumer’s view of the endorsement--that connection should be “clearly and conspicuously disclosed” by both endorsers and marketers if it’s not already clear from the post.
A material connection could include a business or family relationship, monetary payment or free product.
when your lyrics are on the bottle ⯑ #ad
A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Jun 25, 2016 at 2:03pm PDT
The letters also addressed one issue that is specific to Instagram: When consumers look at a post on mobile devices, they typically can only see the first three lines of a longer post unless they click “more.”
The FTC told recipients that when they make endorsements on Instagram, they should disclose any connections with the brand or marketer above the “more” button.
Additionally, the letters stated that when hashtags or links are used, readers might skip over them, especially if they’re at the end of a long post, which means that disclosure included in such a way is “not likely to be conspicuous.”
Some letters even addressed specific hashtags that consumers might not understand to be a disclosure, like “#sp,” “Thanks [brand],” or “#partner” in an Instagram post.
An example of the letters the FTC sent to influencers can be found on the FTC website.
The Latest
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Elvis Presley gifted this circa 1967 gold and diamond watch to Dodie Marshall, his co-star in “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.