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

Fischer Future Heat UK Ltd
- Upheld
- Internet (on own site), Leaflet
- 13 November 2019
Claims on a flyer and website for a heating system were misleading and unsubstantiated.
Friction Free Shaving Ltd
- Internet (on own site)
- 15 January 2020
The website for Friction Free Shaving Ltd, www.ffs.co.uk, a women’s razor subscription service, seen in July 2019 displayed the company’s logo, FFS, next to the name “Friction Free Shaving” in the top left-hand corner. A page titled “Here’s how we work” provided information about ordering, delivery times and how refill...
Wowcher Ltd t/a Wowcher
- Internet (on own site)
- 15 January 2020
A product listing for a “Grey Memory Foam Divan Bed”, seen on www.wowcher.co.uk on 27 March 2019, included a roundel contained the price “FROM £99” above a scored through price of £469.01. Further down the page in the “Full details” section text stated “We’re offering you a grey memory foam cubed divan bed with headboa...
Betway Ltd
- Upheld
- Video
- 08 January 2020
A YouTube ad for a gambling company broke the rules for featuring an individual who was under the age of 25.

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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