The FTC recently published a set of important guides for endorsements and testimonials which, among other things, requires bloggers who review products and services to disclose what sort of compensation they receive. The purpose of these guidelines is to protect consumers by exposing the “material connections” between advertisers and endorsers. Basically, if a blogger receives payment, free products, or anything else of value in exchange for writing something, the reader should be made aware.
This sounds like a good idea to us. In fact, it sounds like mere common sense. Of Zen and Computing likes common sense. We want you to read this site because you trust what we say and value our opinion. Disclosing our motivation behind running this site is something that will build trust, so we’re happy to do so.
Please take a moment to read the Of Zen and Computing Disclosure Policy. It tells you how this site generates revenue, what sort of compensation we receive in exchange for writing about products and services, and what all that means for our readers.
