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

BetterVits LLC
- Upheld
- Social media (own site)
- 03 September 2025
An Instagram post by the influencer Doctor Shireen made unauthorised health claims in relation to food supplements, exaggerated authorised health claims and made health claims that referred to the recommendation of an individual health professional, which is against the rules in ads for food supplements.
KamaGames Ltd t/a Blackjackist
- Upheld
- Social media (paid ad)
- 03 September 2025
A paid-for X ad for the Blackjack 21: Blackjackist game misleadingly stated that the game didn’t contain in-game purchases, including random-item purchases.
TravelCircle Ltd t/a Cruise Circle
- Upheld
- Website (own site)
- 03 September 2025
A webpage advertising cruise operator failed to make the basis of environmental and comparative claims clear and didn’t substantiate the environmental claims made in relation to the full life cycle of a cruise.
CTW Inc
- Upheld
- Social media (paid ad)
- 27 August 2025
Three paid-for YouTube ads for a video-game company were socially irresponsible, likely to cause serious or widespread offence and featured harmful gender stereotypes by objectifying and sexualising women. The ads also portrayed someone who appeared to be under 18 in a sexual way.

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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