FTC says: Declare!

[miz_wright]

I...

Maybe I'm missing something, but when I see an ad on telly that features a testimonial, there's a notation somewhere that it's a paid testimonial, or an actor reading a customer letter or similar. This is merely an extension of that - I don't trust a restaurant review if I know s/he got comped for the meal, and I don't trust someone telling me this vaccuum is better than that one if they got one for free from the company.

Sure you could say caveat emptor, but then the impetus to use testimonials and the power behind them is lost.

I kinda feel like saying "Hey, so I am reviewing this nail polish, and it's only fair you should know that I bought these handy ones out of pocket, but these ones were given to me to review by the company" is acceptable. My investment analyst is compelled to disclose that s/he was compensated for pimping a product, and so is Brooke Shields, when she tells me I can have longer, stronger lashes if I ask my doctor.

So the mom down the street doesn't get a pass just 'cos the medium is different. Sorry. This is just getting caught up to the tech.