FTC ruling affecting affiliate marketing?

[freeeli]

Hey - I'm just getting into this, but this seems somewhat serious:

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-2009...09182.html

http://masscontrolsite.com/blog/?p=59

There's a ton more articles you can find on Google about it (FTC rulings - works today anyway).

Do you think this is also talking about affiliate marketing? we're certainly getting paid for our promotions. i guess i wouldn't mind mentioning it's an affiliate link... maybe it can go in the terms of service for a site or something?

[Vita_Vee]

Very interesting read and that's actually a great thing that's happening IMHO.

I have seen a lot of fake blogs that were promoting CPA offers and I hate them.
They lie from the beginning of the page until the end.

If that was the only way to make money online I would prefer to get back my
day job without any hesitation. I'm glad that we can make money online without
those lies.

Hopefully the FTC will succeed in stopping all of them.

Now it's also going to make it a little bit more difficult to use testimonials
for product vendors but all in all it will surely make this internet marketing
niche more trustful.

I'm glad they took this resolution!

VV

[rikport]

If you are just relating information on a product and not actually recommending a product do you have to state that you are an affiliate. I have only seen one landing page where the statement that someone was an affiliate was made.

[benster]

Yep, i am happy as well to see this. Lets just say that this is the end of testimonials and as we know %99 of affiliate websites are full of BS. I think this was all caused by the Acai berry offers, credit check and so on. People are complaining left and right about scams and hidden charges.

[Vita_Vee]

I have seen in France such fake blogs and people are complaining here about them and I think some legal actions have been taken against those affiliates.

[Sharon]

While on the one hand I think it is a good idea, the broad arm of the FTC could play havoc with legit sites as well.

I will wait and see how this impacts those. In the meantime, if we just keep doing things with integrity, we should have nothing to worry about.

[Vita_Vee]

(10-21-2009 04:34 PM)Sharon Wrote:  In the meantime, if we just keep doing things with integrity, we should have nothing to worry about.

I think this is the main thing we all have to remember. Thanks for mentioning that.

[goredbull]

Also according to CAN SPAM act you have to include your Physical address in your emails.I
am using a fake one.Guys i want to have privacy.

Is there any problem using using a fake physical address.

[Sharon]

When you say a fake physical address, do you mean a legit address but just not yours? Or an address that you literally made up?

I understand the privacy thing. I work at home. The last thing I want is someone showing up at my door. So what are the options?

There are a couple of things you can do. You can get a local box address, from a UPS store or other mailbox store. That way it is a legit address.

You can get a "virtual office address". Google it to find places that offer that too you. I know a lot of IM's use that. It is ok to use that too, but do some research on the companies offering it too you to make sure that there are not a lot of complaints.

Bottom line... if they want to find you, they will. Your IP is connected to YOU, not the address.

I would strongly suggest against using your home address for your business online.

I think also if you look up "mail forwarding services" that will give you some ideas.

People who do full-time RV travel use them to gather their mail while they are on the road.

[andrysalim]

Now.. FTC rule only apply to Americans right?
Or they apply to everyone in this world?

[Vita_Vee]

@AndrySalim, this only applies to people living in the USA.

[lanjik902]

(10-09-2009 12:14 AM)freeeli Wrote:  Hey - I'm just getting into this, but this seems somewhat serious:

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-2009...09182.html

http://masscontrolsite.com/blog/?p=59

There's a ton more articles you can find on Google about it (FTC rulings - works today anyway).

Do you think this is also talking about affiliate marketing? we're certainly getting paid for our promotions. i guess i wouldn't mind mentioning it's an affiliate link... maybe it can go in the terms of service for a site or something?

But I guess that will affect the USA affiliates only. Correct me if I am wrong.