Social Media Law for Business: A Practical Guide for Using Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Blogs Without Stepping on Legal Land Mines

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Marketing in Social Media: What You Need to Know

THE FTC’S SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES

In 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) came out with social media guidelines. They came by way of an update to the FTC’s Guides Concerning the Use and Endorsements of Testimonials in Advertising. 16 CFR Part 255. They were big news at the time they were announced. Somehow, like a story that goes viral and then disappears, news of the FTC’s new guidelines seemed to stay around only long enough for people to say “wow!” and then forget about them. Unfortunately for marketers and businesses, ignorance of the law is not bliss. It will only get you in trouble, embarrass your brand, and, perhaps, ruin your career.

The FTC, for its part, insists that its new guidelines ...