{"id":4560,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:33","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/business-operations\/essential-advertising-rules-for-your-businesses.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T02:20:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T07:20:52","slug":"essential-advertising-rules-for-your-businesses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-operations\/essential-advertising-rules-for-your-businesses.html","title":{"rendered":"Essential Advertising Rules for Your Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Essential Advertising Rules for Your Businesses<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

You may have heard of truth-in-advertising laws, but once you’re a small business owner, the laws apply to you. These laws affect print, audio, video, and social media advertising. They impact your blogging and may even affect influencers who use your product in webcasts. This article summarizes advertising laws and how to ensure your business complies.<\/p>\r\n

Federal and State Laws and Enforcement<\/h2>\r\n

Once you open a new business, your next goal is getting people to buy your product or service. Whether you have a large or small business, you must obey the same\u00a0advertising laws<\/a>\u00a0as everyone else. Whether you have a nationwide online business or stick to a local brick-and-mortar shopfront, this is true. What are these business laws, and who is responsible for enforcing them?<\/p>\r\n

Federal Trade Commission<\/h3>\r\n

Congress created the\u00a0Federal Trade Commission<\/a>\u00a0(FTC) with the aptly named Federal Trade Commission Act. Its role is to oversee consumer protection laws and advertising regulations. The FTC develops, reviews, and enforces federal consumer protection laws and has the power to litigate claims through its\u00a0Division of Advertising Practices<\/a>. The FTC ensures advertising is generally truthful and claims are supported by evidence.<\/p>\r\n

The FTC enforces advertising laws at the federal level. Each state also has a consumer protection agency enforcing\u00a0state advertising laws<\/a>. The state attorney general and district attorney have regulatory enforcement over deceptive advertising and business practices within their jurisdictions.<\/p>\r\n

In general, FTC and state guidelines require advertisements and claims about products to:<\/p>\r\n