Confidential

Last Updated: March 2019

 

1.Misleading Content

Content that misleads users, threatens customer safety, or can be reasonably perceived as being deceptive, fraudulent or harmful is disallowed. The following requirements ensure that Publishers do not publish misleading content or engage in traffic acquisition practices that are misleading to users.

 

2.Free Offers and Price Promises:

 

  • Sites that require users to sign up as a condition to receiving a promotion or offer must present the terms and conditions of the offer prior to the signup or purchase decision. The disclosure (or notice that a disclosure applies) must be made in close proximity to the offer/promotion, and must be clear, conspicuous and in a font equal in size to that of the base font of the landing page.
  • Properties containing “free,” “complimentary” or other similar offers must comply with all applicable legal requirements.

 

3.Prices and Payment Terms:

 

Publishers must:

  • Present any prices and payment terms clearly and accurately. Subscription services or recurring payments must be clearly disclosed prior to payment. 
  • Not charge money for products or services that are widely available elsewhere for free or otherwise exploit users’ unfamiliarity with standard costs.
    • For example:
      • Charging for an equivalent service that is provided by the government for a lower price or no charge.
      • Charging for downloading a product, like Skype, when the same software is offered for free by the owner.

 

4.Promotion of Third-Party Products and Services:

 

Publishers:

  • Offering services or otherwise promoting a third-party product may not claim affiliation with the owner or manufacturer of the product when no such relationship exists.
  • May not state or imply that they are the owner of a product or service when this is not the case and must disclose when the product or service may also be available somewhere else (by the owner for example).
  • Must be accurate when describing their relationship with the owner of a product or service (for example if they are authorized distributors).
  • Brands, logos, etc., may not be used deceptively, in a way that tends to suggest that the site, product or service is owned, managed, promoted or endorsed by the owner of the product or service, unless a qualified relationship exists (parent-affiliate, certified partners, authorized resellers, etc.).
  • May not use misleading display or destination URLs or domains.
  • Must not claim to provide a service that can only be provided by the actual owner of the products or service advertised.
  • May not promote online technical support to consumers for products or services that the advertisers do not directly own.

 

All disclosures and statements required by this policy must be made available in close proximity to the offer, and must be clear, conspicuous and legible.

 

5.Phishing:

 

Phishing sites that try to trick visitors into sharing personal data for fraudulent purposes, such as stealing one’s identity, for example, are prohibited.