ABC News reported the FTC is considering Raising the Bar for Online Product Reviews by Parents and featured Colleen Padilla from ClassyMommy. It should read Mom Bloggers, as the entire article focusus on The Mommy Bloggers out there posting product reviews. You can find the entire article here. 

Also, FoxNews interviwed Colleen Padilla from ClassyMommy to get her point of view. You can watch the interview below.

ABC News:

“A regulatory review process is underway to determine whetherreviews by bloggers like Padilla may be in violation of good business practices, said Richard Cleland, a spokesman for the Federal Trade Commission. 

“The proposed revisions signal that the commission will apply existing principles of advertising law to new forms of media, like blogs,” Cleland said, adding that a decision on the proposal is expected sometime this summer.

“These types of communications that appear to be just one mom to another mom are pretty effective,” he said. “Consumer endorsements and testimonials have always been viewed as extremely effective types of marketing.

“But the concern is about those instances when [testimonials] are delivered and it is not made obvious that it’s an advertisement for a company.” ……………………

“Cleland said the punishment a blogger might face could be comparable to that for those who are found to be engaging in false advertising, which ranges from cease-and-desist orders to reimbursement to consumers who believe they bought the product under false pretenses……………………………………..

Basically they are looking for full disclosure of the reviews. They are not against bloggers making money off the reviews; they are simply asking that you disclose to the readers that you are being paid for the review. I was considering doing a review of Paper Shredders as I have gone through so many. My review(s) would be from my own pocket.

It all comes down to running your blog as a business, reporting income received from reviews in your taxes and most importantly not misleading the public. Many start blogs as a place to express opinions or feelings; somewhere along the way you gain readers and you morph into a Professional blogger in your community and/or when companies are contacting you for reviews; that is a good sing that you should look into the legalities of turning your blog into a real business.  Check the FTC regularly for any news Regulations that can have an impact in your “Blogging Business”. Ultimately, if the law is passed you might get sued. It is best now to take a look at the steps you can take to be in compliance.

You can view the interview here:

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