Claims, endorsements and testimonials

Helpful advice on how to correctly make claims and use endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

We recognise that testimonials can be an important tool to help advertisers promote their products and services. A negative or positive review can affect a consumer’s decision to part with their money. However it is just as important for advertisers to stick to the rules when using testimonials or endorsements in their ads.

Advertisers must be able to prove to us that testimonials and endorsements are from a real person and reflect accurately what that person said. Any claims made in endorsements or testimonials, which are likely to be interpreted as fact, must not mislead other consumers. Advertisers should be aware we do not accept testimonials as sufficient evidence to prove a claim about how effective a product is, i.e. that it worked. For example, a testimonial that product X cured the consumer of an illness.

It is also important that advertisers have the permission of the consumer to feature their testimonial in their ads and that they are aware of their obligations under the Database Practice rules for doing this.

There are some circumstances where the use of testimonials and endorsements in ads is strictly prohibited altogether. The use of health professionals or celebrities to endorse medicines is not allowed and advertisers can’t make health claims that refer to the recommendation of an individual health professional.

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Latest rulings

Practice Pal t/a Involve Education (Involve)
- Upheld
- Website (own site)
- 25 February 2026
A website for a management information services software provider for schools made misleading and unverifiable comparative claims about competitors’ products.
WashWater UK Ltd
- Upheld
- Brochure
- 25 February 2026
A brochure for a water conditioning and purifying system manufacturer misleadingly implied their water treatment systems could target and remove existing limescale, reduce hot water bills and help improve certain skin conditions.
persons unknown t/a Evora Official
- Upheld
- Social media (paid ad)
- 25 February 2026
Four paid-for Facebook ads and a website for a multi-sensory stuffed toy made unlicenced medicinal claims that weren’t backed up by robust evidence, including that the product could relieve symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. The ads also made misleading claims about testimonials and didn’t have evidence to s...
Surge International Ltd
- Upheld
- Website (commercial classified)
- 18 February 2026
A listing seen on the job website Indeed.com made misleading claims about the starting salary of a role and failed to make clear that the role was self-employed.

View all rulings

Claims, endorsements and testimonials

Helpful advice on how to correctly make claims and use endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

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