After a 4 - 0 vote, the rule will officially go into effect on December 1, the FTC said, after attempting to find new ways to legitimize online disclosure to better suit consumers.

Furthermore, all testimonials should also reveal exactly what a consumer should expect when they consumer a product – companies previously only had to disclose if there were dramatic results related to advertising or product consumption.

“Given that social media has become such a significant player in the advertising area, we thought it was necessary to address social media as well,” FTC assistant director or advertising practices Richard Cleland said.

In the past, consumer interest groups said the fine line between companies and bloggers could be easily crossed without any true way to help consumers protect themselves from possible paid reviews. Now, bloggers must offer “clear and conspicuous” when they are given a gift or receive monetary compensation for writing blogs.

Although it’s easy to believe the FTC is focusing on the tech industry, the government is concerned that bloggers across all industries have received freebies without disclosure.   It’s up to the blogger to note how they wish to make any disclosures, though it’s possible the FTC will create guidelines as to how disclosures must be made.