Problem
A sponsored integration is not clearly disclosed at the point where viewers first encounter the commercial message
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
Placing sponsorship disclosures only at the end of a video or hidden deep within the description violates FTC guidelines and YouTube commercial content policies, risking video takedowns, regulatory fines, and audience backlash.
Actionable Fix:
1. Check the 'Paid Promotion' box in YouTube Studio advanced upload settings to display YouTube's standardized 'Includes paid promotion' banner in the opening 10 seconds.
2. Include clear, unambiguous verbal and on-screen textual disclosure (e.g., 'Thanks to [Brand] for sponsoring this video') at the exact start of the sponsored segment.
3. Place clear disclosure text (e.g., 'Sponsored by [Brand]') above the fold within the first two lines of the video description.
Pro Tip:
The FTC requires disclosures to be 'clear and conspicuous'; disclosures must be unavoidable on both mobile and desktop screens without requiring viewers to click 'Show more'.
Placing sponsorship disclosures only at the end of a video or hidden deep within the description violates FTC guidelines and YouTube commercial content policies, risking video takedowns, regulatory fines, and audience backlash.
Actionable Fix:
1. Check the 'Paid Promotion' box in YouTube Studio advanced upload settings to display YouTube's standardized 'Includes paid promotion' banner in the opening 10 seconds.
2. Include clear, unambiguous verbal and on-screen textual disclosure (e.g., 'Thanks to [Brand] for sponsoring this video') at the exact start of the sponsored segment.
3. Place clear disclosure text (e.g., 'Sponsored by [Brand]') above the fold within the first two lines of the video description.
Pro Tip:
The FTC requires disclosures to be 'clear and conspicuous'; disclosures must be unavoidable on both mobile and desktop screens without requiring viewers to click 'Show more'.