FTC Endorsement Guidelines: What Bloggers Should Know and What’s Going Down!

So if you haven’t done so yet check out our previous post and our thoughts here. Basically we said that we think that transparency and disclosures for bloggers are a great idea and we have been doing it long before the FTC began to require it.

Here is some more useful info we dug up on TheHill.com so fellow Bloggies, check this out:

It is a myth that the FTC will fine bloggers upwards of $11,000 for violations. If the FTC finds bloggers or online marketers are engaging in deceptive practices, the agency can bring a case only if there is real consumer injury. Vladeck (the new director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection) said the guide is simply advice, not a hardfast rule, and the FTC cannot bring an enforcement case based on an advertiser’s or blogger’s failure to follow the guidelines.

The FTC is not considering revising the guide. In fact, Vladeck said he believes “they set a reasonable standard and that if they are applied in a common sense way, they will result in greater transparency on the Internet and not curb or in any way inhibit commentary.”