Why Testimonials Can Get Your Brand Sued

Before-and-after photos and glowing testimonials can sell products fast, but they’re also some of the most heavily scrutinized tools in advertising. The FTC requires that any endorsement reflect typical results, and the old “results not typical” fine print no longer cuts it. In this episode, I explain how I review and edit testimonials for compliant disclosures, how I evaluate before-and-after images for accuracy, permissions, and unintentional manipulation, and how I help brands build clear internal policies to prevent drift. The goal is to keep authentic customer stories in your marketing without escalating your legal risk. Call, click, or email if you need help tightening this up. 

Transcript

Darshan: 0:00

Can I use before and after photos or testimonials in my advertising? So testimonials and before and after photos are powerful, but they're heavily policed. The FTC requires that typical results must be disclosed. A fine print results, not typical disclaimer is no longer enough. Here's what I tend to do. I review your testimonials, I edit them to include legally compliant disclosures. For before and after photos, I tend to ensure that you have permission forms, you have accurate representation of results, and no misleading filters or edits. I also create testimonial policies and train your marketing team on how to gather and use endorsements responsibly. This means keeping your authentic customer stories in your campaigns without exposing your company to enforcement actions or even worse, class action lawsuits. Call, click, or email.