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

ABD Supplies Ltd
- Upheld
- Email, Website (own site)
- 23 April 2025
Two emails and two product listings misleadingly and irresponsibly suggested that HID and LED conversion kits could be used by most vehicles on public roads.
FX Compared Ltd t/a FXcompared
- Upheld
- Website (own site)
- 23 April 2025
A website made misleading savings claims and implied that the international money transfer providers they recommended were the top providers compared to all other providers when they only included providers from a limited sector of the market. It also failed to make clear that a result listing was an ad.
Holiday Gems Ltd
- Upheld
- Website (own site)
- 23 April 2025
A booking webpage for a holiday made misleading price claims.
Octopus Energy Ltd
- Upheld in part
- Social media (paid ad)
- 23 April 2025
Two paid-for social media ads, two website landing pages, a radio ad, a billboard and an email for Octopus Energy didn't include adequate substantiation.

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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