The influence of influencers on social media is a modern day phenomenon that marketers harness to develop more organic and grassroots connections with consumers, and influencers are able to monetize those connections. It is a symbiotic relationship, though one that is not necessarily clear to consumers.
When an influencer gets something of value to promote a product, that may impact how a consumer interprets that endorsement, and thus consumer protection authorities worldwide have long required clear, conspicuous and effective disclosures of those kinds of material connections. Recently authorities in the US and the UK have turned up the heat on influencer marketing practices. We break these efforts down for you so that you can adapt your influencer marketing programs to avoid problems.