Trading standards leaflets

Websites that publish reviews must ensure they provide the full picture to consumers

This guidance is for England, Scotland and Wales

Businesses, media agencies or individuals that publish opinions online should make sure that content that has been paid for is clearly identifiable. Otherwise the business, media agency and the person publishing the content might break the law.

Competition and Markets Authority guidance

The CMA has published guidance for businesses on what they need to do to comply with the law on online reviews and endorsements.

There are three 60-second summaries:

• 'Online reviews: letting your customers see the true picture'
• 'Giving a balanced picture: do's and don'ts for online review sites'
• 'Online endorsements: being open and honest with your audience'

These summaries explain what review sites, media agencies, businesses and suppliers of goods or services should do when posting opinions online to make sure they comply with consumer protection law.

Trading standards

For more information on the work of trading standards services - and the possible consequences of not abiding by the law - please see 'Trading standards: powers, enforcement and penalties'.

In this update

No major changes.

Last reviewed / updated: July 2022

Key legislation

• Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

Please note

This information is intended for guidance; only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law.

The guide's 'Key legislation' links may only show the original version of the legislation, although some amending legislation is linked to separately where it is directly related to the content of a guide. Information on amendments to legislation can be found on each link's 'More Resources' tab.

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