I Go On A Rant and Ask For Input
Hi Readers,
Today’s post goes along with today’s YouTube video, which does contain a short rant/explanation regarding affiliate links, free products, and FTC guidelines. I wanted to take the opportunity to expand on my feeling a bit more here, where it will be forever memorialized in print.
New FTC guidelines for bloggers/vloggers came out about a year ago. Pretty much anyone who blogs or makes videos on YouTube knew that big changes had come about, and there are dozens, if not hundreds of websites that explain what those guidelines mean and how they affect bloggers/vloggers if they didn’t already understand them.
While there are many out there that claim ignorance of the new rules, I find it hard to believe that those people who literally make a living off of being on the Internet can’t be bothered to go on said Internet and learn what they need to know.
The FTC guidelines are incredibly clear: if you are sent a product for free, you must say so in your video AND write that in the description box. Also, if you accept money to make a video, you must reveal that you were compensated in the description box. Finally, if you use affiliate links, those must be clearly marked as well.
If there’s one thing that’s remained consistent on my channel (and here on my blog), it’s my commitment to 100% honesty and transparency with my viewers and readers. And if there’s one thing that makes me absolutely crazy, it’s those people on YouTube that lie, even if it’s a lie by omission, to the very people that support them and watch their videos.
I have nothing against people getting products sent to them for review (i.e., for free). While I have chosen in the past not to accept money to do a review, I don’t begrudge those who do, and I do reserve the right to change my mind at a later date. What I do have a huge issue with is those YouTubers that are sent thousands of dollars of products and never mention it, or who receive thousands of dollars in compensation from brands just to use a product in a “Get Ready With Me” video or mention it in a Favorites video and don’t say so in the description box. Or those who use affiliate links but don’t mark them as affiliate links. Or, more recently, receive $75 to say that a dating app is “the coolest thing ever”.
So to stay true to myself, and remain consistent with you, my best friends that I’ve never met, I will reveal to you here (as I also do in my YouTube description box) that I do use affiliate links when I can when I list products in the description box. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, an affiliate link is a commission based link. When you click on such a link and then you actually decide to buy the product from that site, I receive a small commission from the company. If you don’t want to use that link, that’s perfectly fine by me. I only list products I actually use and like, so if you choose to go out and buy it somewhere else, I’m just thrilled that you value my opinion and trust my judgment enough to spend your money on something that I recommended.
If you’d like to see my rant in it’s entirety, or find out who won the personal planner giveaway (it could be YOU!!), or just want to hear me babble about what’s new and exciting in my life, why don’t you go ahead and check out the fabulous video below?
What I’m wearing:
L’Oreal Magic Lumi Primer http://bit.ly/P7sI0I *
Pond’s Luminous Finish BB+ Cream http://bit.ly/1aNW2Pa *
CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation http://bit.ly/QhzMIT *
MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter-Radiant Rose http://bit.ly/1cBNvkU *
Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 Concealer http://bit.ly/1bGY2fZ *
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer http://bit.ly/MJNCkX *
MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder http://bit.ly/1jiLX2O *
Tom Ford Bronzing Powder-Terra http://bit.ly/1f73UBP *
Too Faced Milk Chocolate Bronzer http://bit.ly/1dYfK0U *
Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Powder http://bit.ly/1h7DjyT *
Benefit Rockateur blush http://bit.ly/1jdaeYu *
Urban Decay Naked Basics http://bit.ly/QXLeJt *
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner-Midnight http://bit.ly/1gfbTNT *
YSL Rouge Volupte-Opera Rose http://bit.ly/1lA9vO3 *
Nails: Zoya Tomoko
Kendra Scott Rayne necklace-neon yellow http://bit.ly/1sIJyQ8 *
Earrings: Target Round Textured Stud Earrings (in store only)
Shirt: Ann Taylor http://bit.ly/1i7FlPS *
Watch: Fossil Riley http://bit.ly/1uFnKsD *
Bracelet: Gorjana Teagan Cuff http://bit.ly/1iBjZLa *
* These are affiliate links!
If I could send you a standing ovation I would! Well said my friend!
Thank you so much!!
You go girl!! All of this is so true. I think that many YTers and bloggers just really aren't educated in this area. They think they'll just go make videos and start a blog and make money. They don't realize that they are basically a business. I'm guessing the IRS and FTC might catch up to them eventually.
I hope all is well! I might just be in SA soon as my son's considering a full ride to UTSA for golf. We'll see… Stacie xo
I’ve watched younger Youtubers with tons of followers use phrases or words to describe “affiliate” or “sponsored video” creatively. For UK Youtube, they are now required to add it on their video title like “Get Ready With Me – Ad” because maybe they are paid to use and talk about a beauty product.