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How to disclose a paid partnership

AG
Aaliyah Grant · Beauty creator
Asked 3 weeks ago · Updated 2 weeks ago
FTCDisclosureBrand deals

How am I actually supposed to disclose a paid partnership? Is the Instagram paid tag enough or do I need #ad too?

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4 answers

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KQ
Accepted answer
Sophia MillerKALO IQHead of Creator Relations3 weeks ago

If a brand gave you money, free product or any perk, the FTC says you must disclose it clearly and up front. That means a plain #ad or paid partnership your audience sees before they engage, not the fifteenth hashtag and not only the platform tag, which the FTC has said is not enough on its own. On video, say it out loud and put it on screen. On a story or live, repeat it since people join late. The test is simple: could someone miss it? If yes, fix it. General info, not legal advice.

Disclose any material connection

Cash, free product, affiliate, even a discount. If it could sway you, label it.

Make it unmissable

Clear and up front beats buried. The platform tag alone does not cut it.

Match the format

Say it and show it on video. Repeat it on stories and lives since viewers join late.

When in doubt, disclose

The penalty for over-disclosing is nothing. The penalty for hiding it is real.

👍 Helpful 173
SR
Sofia RomanoCreator ProTop contributor3 weeks ago

Put the disclosure in the caption first line and on screen, not the hashtag pile. Took me one warning to learn that the hard way.

👍 Helpful 23
PS
Hannah BrooksCreator Pro2 weeks ago

The paid partnership label is good but I still add a spoken and written #ad on Reels. Belt and suspenders, zero risk.

👍 Helpful 17
MR
Maya ReyesCreator ProTop contributor1 week ago

Gifted counts. If a brand sent it free and you post it, that is a material connection and the FTC treats it like a paid post.

👍 Helpful 12

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