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It’s Dec. 1st, the date the FTC put forth for when they would drop the hammer begin enforcing new blog disclosure regulations.

In case you don’t recall what those were, here’s some background.

I was curious as to if the golf blogging community had made any changes, or if their own perceptions on what it would mean for bloggers to take payment in exchange for reviews/postings have changed as a result of these new regulations.

Here are some of the responses I got to a random sampling of golf bloggers:

Regarding if bloggers had made any changes on their site to add language re: their policy for accepting payments (if they do that) or anything else to get ahead of the FTC regulations:

I’ve been meaning to post a link on my side bar so FTC agents can find it easily. I better go do that right now.

The only thing I’ve done differently is to make a more explicit statement when I do certain posts, (such as) a roundup of press releases and news items I get. I updated that type of post to include a statement so people understand I’m NOT getting paid (or anything else) to run news items.

I haven’t changed anything.  I seriously doubt the FTC regards golf manufacturers and bloggers as serious threats to fair trade.

Regarding whether they have received products or payment for doing reviews on products, or would accept payment now given the new FTC regulations, bloggers said:

I do receive products and believe a true/honest review is impossible without the product in hand. Do people review shoes without wearing them, or a ball without playing it? It’s just nonsensical to me. Doing so would be irresponsible IMHO.

I have never received payment for a product review or any post that I’ve done.  None of the content is paid.

No, I wouldn’t (accept payment).  I think that would preclude me from being able to be as honest as I am about products and merchandise.

My current policy is No payment for reviews. Some companies have offered me a percentage of sales that come from my website. I have politely declined. However, I do offer advertising on my site. I do not need to review a product for a company to purchase advertising.

Regarding if they think bloggers that do accept payments can provide an unbiased opinion and their general opinion of blogs that accept payment to write reviews/posts:

I really don’t feel that is an honest way to run a website.  Given that I’m pretty cynical as it is, I would be much more cynical about a site’s reputation if I knew they were getting paid for content beyond being supplied the product.

I think it’s possible (to be unbiased), but if I were to receive payment and write a scathing review, then I doubt they would come back to me for another review.

Personally, bloggers that accept payment for a product review are walking on a fine line.  While every blogger is certainly welcome to sharing an opinion on a new piece of equipment, this “opinion” becomes a somewhat biased one when money becomes involved and should be understood as such.

It all depends on the blog and the person who writes it. If it is someone you respect, then I think it can be done.

I would worry about what the IRS thought about it, not the FTC…

For what it’s worth the FTC has said that disclosures can take many forms:

“Disclosures can be made in different ways, whether you make it outside of the text but in proximity to blog, or incorporate it into the blog discussion itself–those are the issues that bloggers will have discretion about.”

So what does it all mean?  Frankly not much for the golf world, at least not currently.  The FTC themselves have said they’re not out to levy huge fines but instead want to focus on educating bloggers…for now.

Also it’s doubtful that the FTC would look to the golf blogging sector first for infractions vs. technology or other industries.  Though that may be short sighted.  Golf is still a multi-billion dollar industry.  The idea that there aren’t bloggers in the golf sector who are willing to sell favorable coverage in their blogs is unrealistic.  The harm done by such is surely debatable. But the acts (without the proper disclosure) are no less in violation of the new guidelines than any blogger in any other industry making recommendations on products and services in exchange for money.

It’s December 1st…do you know where your FTC disclosure is?  If not, don’t worry.  It’s unlikely anyone’s going to ask you or care.