The competition watchdog has launched an investigation of social media stars over concerns they are not declaring when they have been paid to post about products and experiences.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said social media influencers could sway the shopping habits of millions with posts endorsing goods or services, but it had concerns that they may not be disclosing that they had been paid to do so.
The CMA said it had seen examples of posts which appeared to promote or endorse products and offered the celebrity’s personal opinion on the benefit of a product without clearly disclosing if they were being paid by the brand.
Are you seeing the full picture? Posts on social media aren’t always what they seem. We’ve opened an investigation into whether social media influencers are clearly labelling paid for endorsements: gov.uk/government/new…
It has written to a range of celebrities and social media influencers to “gather more information about their posts and the nature of the business agreements they have in place with brands”.
It is also asking the public to share their experiences as part of the investigation, and said it was particularly interested in hearing from people who had bought products which were endorsed on social media.
Typically, celebrities and influencers have millions of followers who watch their channels to see where they go on holiday, what they wear, which products they use, the books they read and more.
Online endorsements from celebrities and influencers can help brands reach target audiences and boost sales.
However, influencers must make it clear in such posts that they have been paid or rewarded to promote, review or talk about a product in their social media feeds under consumer protection law.
The CMA said fans or followers could be led to believe that an endorsement represents the star’s own view, rather than it being a paid-for promotion, if they do not label their posts properly.
It said it was investigating the extent to which influencers are clearly and accurately identifying any commercial relationships, and whether people are being misled.
George Lusty, the CMA’s senior director for consumer protection, said: “Social media stars can have a big influence on what their followers do and buy.
“If people see clothes, cosmetics, a car, or holiday being plugged by someone they admire, they might be swayed into buying it.
“So, it’s really important they are clearly told whether a celebrity is promoting a product because they have bought it themselves, or because they have been paid or thanked in some way by the brand.”