New blogging disclosure rules take effect

Today new FCC rules about how bloggers disclose their relationships with advertisers take effect. Basically, the change means that bloggers must now disclose if they are receiving free products or perks in exchange for write-ups and reviews. The rules extend to Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets.

Not much is going to change on BargainBabe.com because this site already has an Ethics policy, which I’ve copied below from the About tab.

I do not accept money from any business or manufacturer to blog about their product on BargainBabe.com. If I write about a restaurant, retailer, Web site or product it is because I believe there is a good deal to be had. I sell sponsored posts and advertising on the site and participate in referral programs, however, because I gotta pay my bills. Paid content is always identified.

Sponsored posts are labeled as such at the beginning and end of each post so as not to be confused with editorial content. Banner ads are pure image advertisements with no editorial content. I identify referral programs with a tagline that says something like, “Buying items from the gift guide supports BargainBabe.com.”

Any questions? Leave a comment. If you want to know more about the new rules, watch this series of short videos. Perhaps Tiger Woods will learn from this push for transparency.