The FCC will require all bloggers to specify if they’ve received free products or other remuneration for “reviews” of products or services done online.
I think this is a great idea. People who receive free products and then give glowing reviews just because they got the product for free or at a discounted price should be seen for what they really are: SHILLS. There are a lot of “review” places on line for products, and quite a few for toys in particular. I’ve always suspected a few of them at least in part based their praise on kickbacks they’d earn from referral sales, based on products they receive for free or at a discount, or based it on other incentives offered to them by a certain company.
There will be fines levied (up to $11,000 per instance) against people who don’t disclose this information now and I think it’s long overdue. It’s part of protecting consumers from deceptive marketing and I welcome it.
Read here for more info: The Scoop
As I’ve said before – if you see a review written by me, it’s because I bought the product and gave it an honest informed inspection. I don’t sugar coat things and I don’t harshly criticize products for no reason. I’m no fan boy, but I’m not out to tear apart everything that comes across my desk…