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Do the FTC rules not apply for Google?

by GeorgR.
14 replies
Google (Adwords) is displaying ads on their home-page, and as we all know they make big money from it.

Wouldn't they need to be required to have a FTC disclaimer in regards to the ads as well as their relationship with the advertisers?

Or is it ok since the google ads are labelled as "Sponsored Links"?

G.
#apply #ftc #google #rules
  • Profile picture of the author petehols
    Well thinking about it google is a website so they SHOULD be made to comply with the new FTC rules. If every other website is why not them. Even although these are sponsored ads google are taking money from people and displaying these ads on their site so it should be up to them to make sure these ads comply.

    It would be good to see someone stand up to google for a change as they think they own the whole internet.

    Pete
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  • Profile picture of the author RGallowitz
    Google does own the whole internet LOL.
    No seriously though...they are just as accountable as anyone else.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Yes, the FTC rules apply to Google!

    Labelling their ads as "Sponsored Links" makes it clear to the consumer that it's paid advertising. It's similar to magazine or newspaper ads that look like regular stories; they will have a small banner at the top that reads "Advertisement".

    Glad I could help.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      Labeling their ads as "Sponsored Links" makes it clear to the consumer that it's paid advertising. It's similar to magazine or newspaper ads that look like regular stories; they will have a small banner at the top that reads "Advertisement".
      That actually sounds great and a nice way to do it for a site with a column of ads for example. I guess if you have a block ad in the middle of a bunch of text you would have to have a 'sponsored link' over each block?

      Beats putting a legal disclaimer in the footer which was all I could think of doing.

      But still wondering about this one.
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  • Profile picture of the author TommyG
    The FTC is really more concerned about fake blogs, fake testimonials and hidden affiliate links.
    Someone writing a blog with fake testimonials about how this weight loss product helped them lose 50 pounds when it is complete bulls**t is what they are concerned with.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Yeah, they DO say "sponsored links". HECK, in the old days when ads were mingled into host segments in the US, they would say "NOW, a word from our SPONSOR". At the beginning of "infomercials", they have a disclaimer saying the same thing.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Robyn8243
      Of course the FTC rules apply to Google.

      First, just because the FTC made these rules, it does not mean that everyone will be following them.

      I spent some time in Clickbank, and there are plenty of sales pages that still have testimonials which seem to violate the new guidelines.

      Second, major issue FTC was trying to address in new guideline was transparency. In newspapers or magazines, advertorials are allowed as long as it is clear that it is an advertisement and not a news story. If it looks like an ad, there is no need for a disclaimer.
      The assumption is that an advertisement is meant to sell something, so Google is not violating new guidelines.

      Robyn
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Ski
    Google could beat an old lady with a potato sack full of kittens and nothing would happen to them!

    If the anyone tried to shut them down, world war 3 would break out and no one would know what to do; Y2K would some how come back to life render our computers useless and 2012 would come true because we shut down Google...

    This is just speculation of course, but don't say I never tried to warn you!!
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    • Profile picture of the author starruby
      Originally Posted by Sean Ski View Post

      Google could beat an old lady with a potato sack full of kittens and nothing would happen to them!

      If the anyone tried to shut them down, world war 3 would break out and no one would know what to do; Y2K would some how come back to life render our computers useless and 2012 would come true because we shut down Google...

      This is just speculation of course, but don't say I never tried to warn you!!
      lol.. that was quite a statement!
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    I would think that the sponsored links wording is enough for Google...

    Peace

    Jay
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  • Profile picture of the author Darth Executor
    Umm, ads are obviously ads. I don't think FTC rules apply to ads since it's pretty obvious to people that if you have an ad on your page, you're making money off it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sylonious
    Originally Posted by GeorgR. View Post

    Google (Adwords) is displaying ads on their home-page, and as we all know they make big money from it.

    Wouldn't they need to be required to have a FTC disclaimer in regards to the ads as well as their relationship with the advertisers?

    Or is it ok since the google ads are labelled as "Sponsored Links"?

    G.
    They are advertisers not affiliates. They are only required to put "Sponsored Links" on the page.

    Definitely leave Google alone. Their only response to this kind of stuff is to kick out random low budget advertisers from their adwords program SMH.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lukas
    they started copying books (excerpts , videos) and got away with that. c'mon thy won;t do that.
    They would've vehemently objected to the FTC new law in court IF it affected the way they do business or they'd unleash their secret version of 'Skynet' on the govt.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sylonious
      Originally Posted by Lukas View Post

      they started copying books (excerpts , videos) and got away with that. c'mon thy won;t do that.
      They would've vehemently objected to the FTC new law in court IF it affected the way they do business or they'd unleash their secret version of 'Skynet' on the govt.
      Who were you responding to?
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