Complying with New FTC Guidelines

Unfortunately, I've been lacking in beauty posts this week because I wanted to sit down and read the new FTC Guidelines to make sure I comply and don't get in trouble down the line.  And I haven't had time until now!

I found some helpful links through Liquid Jelly that made the new guidelines easier to understand.  Basically, the FTC wants bloggers to clearly disclose how they obtained the product that's in the post.  To do this, a lot of bloggers seem to be using buttons at the top of their posts, and I think that is one of the best ways...so I'm going to do that too.

I Bought This Pretty self explanatory.  Spent my own money to buy the products shown in the post.

Press Sample Products in the post were sent for consideration, but any opinions stated are mine and 100% honest.

Sponsored I think this one is pretty self explanatory too.  If a company sponsors a post, this will be at the top.  I haven't done any of these, but if it ever happens...I'm prepared, lol.

Affiliate Link I don't have any of these either, but I thought I'd add it in just in case I ever use some in the future.  If this button is present, then the post contains advertorial links and if a purchase is made through that link, I will receive a small percentage or amount from the total of that purchase.  Also, I will label these links with "(ad)" next to it in the post text.

Referral Link I thought I'd add this, even though I don't usually post referral links in a post unless it's a new one.  If you sign up through this link, I gain something (different depending on the company).  All of my referral links are in my sidebar, clearly labeled as referral links.

I got button ideas from Liquid Jelly and Phyrra.  I learned how to make these text buttons from 15 Minute Beauty.

Google Reader =/= Google Friends Connect

Hello~  This is not makeup related, but I've noticed a lot of other bloggers posting about the disappearance of Google Reader.  I hadn't really thought about how this disappearance would affect following blogs, as I personally don't use it.  But there seems to be some confusion about Google Friend Connect.  I don't believe Google said anything about discontinuing this (yet), but most people seem to think that the end of Google Reader also means the end of GFC.  I don't think that's what it means at all, though who knows...they may phase it out in the future since they really seem to be pushing Google+.

As I said, I don't use Google Reader, but I do follow blogs with GFC.  Instead of Google Reader, I just read my blogs in my Blogger Dashboad.

So, you can still follow me with GFC and read it in your Blogger Dashboard.  But I know this is not as convenient for most people, since this will only work for blogs with GFC (which is only for Blogger now) and most people would like their blogs to be all in one reader.  So, if this is a problem for you, you can follow my blog on Bloglovin' or HelloCotton.

 

You can also follow me on twitter, where I'll be posting when I update, or by email, through the widget in the sidebar.

Thank you for following!  Hope you enjoy my blog! :)