Advertising Online Governed by the ASA!

We are all supposed to know when we are not being told 100% the truth but lets face it even reputable companies bend the truth or present it in a favourable light.

Most people know that the Advertising Standards Agency control adverts in the press and on the TV but not many realise that they have no control over website adverts…

The ASA Say

"Consumers don't differentiate between adverts on TV or online and this ensures that claims online will be subject to the same strict scrutiny of those in traditional media,"

Time Scales

It’s interesting to read that websites will be given until 1 March 2011 to comply with the new rules. That’s six month from today; in truth I’d be surprised if most website owners know about it in six months, let alone make any changes or review content!

The new rules will apply to adverts and any statement on a website that is intended to sell products or services.

They also covers adverts shown on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as paid advertising such as pay per click and banners.

Is it Realistic?

In my heart I don’t think this will really make a difference to the majority of websites. The simple fact of the matter is that there are too many sites to police; then you have to think about sites that are hosted offshore or adverts that are shown in the UK by foreign based companies.

I believe it will make the major retailers think a little more and will stop annoying adverts on Google but that’s simply because those organisations must play by the rules (or at least be seen to…).

More

This will effect everybody, and if everybody was to play by the rules the internet would become a 'nicer' place... If you would like to find out more about this you could visit the Advertising Standards Agency by going to http://asa.org.uk/.