FTC to Review Social Media-Related Ad Guidelines

The FTC will review social media-related advertising guidelines in 2020, the agency confirmed Thursday. It will consider updating “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” The guides offer insight into how the agency views truthfulness and deceptiveness in ads.

The agency disclosed plans in letters to Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Ed Markey, D-Mass.; and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif. The three had asked the agency to investigate “undisclosed sponsorships and hidden advertising in child-directed YouTube videos and online content created by social media influencers.” That's per a letter from Chairman Joe Simons.

Our publication obtained the correspondence through a Freedom of Information Act request.