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.

+ Read more - Read less

Latest rulings

Samsung Electronics (UK) Ltd
- Upheld
- Internet (website content)
- 27 November 2024
A website promotion misleadingly described a promotional item as “free”, did not make clear promotional items would have to be purchased upfront before being redeemed via a cashback mechanism and omitted significant conditions.
Wizz Air Hungary Ltd
- Upheld
- Website (paid ad)
- 27 November 2024
A paid-for Google ad for Wizz Air gave a misleading impression of their flights’ environmental impact by not making the basis of comparative claims clear or providing verifying information.
Aurum & Argenti Ltd t/a Bullion Club, bullionclub.co.uk
- Upheld
- Website (paid ad)
- 20 November 2024
A paid-for Google ad failed to make clear that gold investment was unregulated, that the value of investments was variable and that examples of past performance weren’t necessarily a guide to the future.
Fern Brady
- Upheld
- Website (paid ad)
- 20 November 2024
A paid-for ad for the comedian Fern Brady, seen on the Sky News website, was likely to cause serious offence to some within the Christian faith.

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".

Latest news

Latest rulings

Help getting it right

Popular advice

Relevant codes