Faux sites

Advertisements with landing pages that are considered faux blogs, false product review sites or simulated newspaper sites are generally not acceptable on AOL.

GUIDELINES

Advertisements and landing pages that mimic a news format or otherwise try to hide their commercial nature are not acceptable on AOL.

Display Network
Text or images, (whether on the display ad, landing page, or both), that are utilized to make a user believe that they are viewing coverage from a newspaper or TV news report are NOT acceptable. (Examples: text such as Breaking News, Shocking News, Live from WABC News, Consumer News Consumer Alerts; images of newscasters; names and logos of major media outlets; names and logos that mimic major media outlets; and/or investigative-sounding headlines.)

Sponsored Listings
1) If one of the first two text links (creatives) appears news-related, the advertisement is NOT acceptable.
Example:
Breaking News: New Wrinkle Cream makes you look years younger.

2) If the first two text links do not refer to news but the linking url appears news-related, the advertisement is NOT acceptable.
Example:
Do NOT Buy Car Insurance!
Your Auto Insurer Hates This. Find out an awesome trick to get cheap rates!
NewsToday7.com

3) If all the text links and linking url do not refer to news but the landing page mimics a news format, the advertisement is NOT acceptable.
Example:
Do NOT Buy Car Insurance!

Your Auto Insurer Hates This. Find out an awesome trick to get cheap rates!
CheapInsurance.com 

4) If the Sponsored Listing contains an image that appears news related, the advertisement is NOT acceptable.

ACCEPTABLE ADVERTISING FORMATS

AOL will accept, at our sole discretion, advertising from companies where the landing page includes blog/journal style articles, if the advertiser complies with the following guidelines:

  • Professional journalist/bloggers are writing the advertorial content on behalf of their clients.
  • Makes all disclosures regarding their relationship with their clients clear and conspicuous by placing them where consumers are likely to look on Web pages, by labeling disclosures (and links to them) to indicate their importance and relevance, and by using easy-to-read fonts and colors.
  • All links on the landing pages work and are accurately labeled.
  • Any user reviews or testimonials are written by bona fide users of the product and reflect their honest opinions and experience.
  • Works with advertisers that comply with AOL’s Negative Option Marketing guidelines.
  • Is in good standing with any of the various business ratings organizations (e.g., Better Business Bureau (BBB)).
Share