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Dark posting vs whitelisting

MW
Marcus Webb · Tech creator
Asked 3 weeks ago · Updated 2 weeks ago
WhitelistingBrand dealsRates

A brand asked about whitelisting and dark posting my content. What is the difference and how should I charge for it?

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4 answers

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KQ
Accepted answer
Sophia MillerKALO IQHead of Creator Relations3 weeks ago

They sound alike but they are not. Dark posting is when a brand runs an ad from their own account that does not show on their feed, sometimes using your content. Whitelisting is when you grant the brand permission to run ads through your handle, so the ad shows your name and face to audiences you never reach. Whitelisting uses your identity and trust, so it should cost more, usually a monthly fee or a percentage on top of your content rate.

The real difference

It comes down to whose name the ad runs under and who controls it.

Dark posting

The brand advertises from their account, off their public feed. Your content, their voice.

Whitelisting

You hand over ad access on your handle. Your name carries the ad, so charge for that.

Price the trust, not just the post

Whitelisting rents your reputation. Add a monthly fee or ad-spend percentage.

👍 Helpful 136
SR
Sofia RomanoCreator ProTop contributor3 weeks ago

I charge a flat monthly fee for whitelisting on top of the content fee. Giving a brand access to my handle is a separate thing entirely.

👍 Helpful 27
LC
Liam CarterCreator2 weeks ago

Always cap the duration in writing. A brand ran my whitelisted ad for eight months once on a one-month deal. Never again.

👍 Helpful 20
AG
Aaliyah GrantCreator1 week ago

Dark posting barely touches you so I do not charge much extra. Whitelisting is where the real money and the real risk is.

👍 Helpful 14

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