Online, catch-up TV and radio, in-app and in-game

Advertisers should bear in mind that for claims on their own websites and in other non-paid-for-space online under their control to be classified as advertising, they must be “directly connected with the supply of goods, services, opportunities or prizes".

In 2011 our online remit was extended to cover marketing claims on companies own websites, including in social media space. Advertisers should bear in mind that for claims on their own websites and in other non-paid-for-space online under their control to be classified as advertising, they must be “directly connected with the supply of goods or services, opportunities, prizes or gifts”.

One thing we don’t regulate is sponsorship. However we do have very strict rules on the disclosure of ads, in other words being upfront and clear about when an ad is an ad, and we take action against advertisers who try and make ads look like editorial content. This is becoming increasingly common online and on social media where brands are working with “social influencers” and celebrities to promote their products. It is important that any posts where the advertiser is paying the content-owner and has full editorial control over the message or visual being seen by the consumer, are labelled correctly with the word “ad” or “advert” to let consumers know this content was not spontaneously generated.
Ads that appear in-app or in-game should also be clearly labelled as ads and not disguised as part of the app’s or game’s content.

Similarly, Advergames which typically are electronic games used to advertise a product, brand or an organisation are also covered by the advertising rules and should not mislead or cause harm and offence. Advertisers should familiarise themselves with the rules around children and advertising when preparing advergames as the content of ads such as these needs to be targeted appropriately.

We also regulate ads that feature during on-demand catch-up TV and radio programmes. These ads must adhere to the non-broadcast advertising rules.

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Latest rulings

Make The Air Fair
- Upheld
- Poster, Internet (social networking), Internet (display), Regional press
- 07 February 2018
A paid-for Facebook post, regional press ad, poster and internet display ad for Make The Air Fair:a. The paid-for Facebook post, seen in early December 2016, was headed “Make The Air Fair” and stated “Our airwaves are up for sale. BT already own too much and now they want even more. Tell Sharon White, Head of Ofcom, sh...
Poundland Ltd
- Upheld
- Internet (social networking)
- 07 February 2018
A series of posts on Poundland’s Twitter and Facebook page, promoting the #ElfBehavingBad campaign, seen in December 2017:a. An ad, posted on 11 December, featured an image of a toy elf and a bottle of De-Icer placed in front of a car windscreen which featured a drawing of a pair of breasts. The caption stated, “Oh Elf...
Puig (UK) Ltd t/a Paco Rabanne
- Not Upheld
- Television, VOD
- 07 February 2018
Two TV ads and a Video on Demand (VOD) promoted the men's fragrance, Paco Rabanne XS:a. The first TV ad, which was seen in July and August 2017, depicted a man walking into a bathroom. He was seen to have removed his suit jacket and became topless. Two women were then seen peering towards a light source in a dark room....
iPhoneIMEI.net t/a iPhoneIMEI.net
- Upheld
- Internet (on own site)
- 07 February 2018
A web page for an iPhone unlocking service, seen on www.iphoneimei.net in September 2017, stated "Factory unlock Orange UK iPhone. Price from £19.99".

View all rulings

Online, catch-up TV and radio, in-app and in-game

Advertisers should bear in mind that for claims on their own websites and in other non-paid-for-space online under their control to be classified as advertising, they must be “directly connected with the supply of goods, services, opportunities or prizes".

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