Effective Date: 4/15/2025
Applies To: All users participating in the Whop Content Rewards Program
FTC-compliant disclosure is mandatory only when the content includes a personal endorsement
Important: While Whop provides tools, templates, and guidance, all Earners and Sellers are individually responsible for ensuring their posts comply with FTC regulations. Whop does not pre-approve the compliance of content posted and cannot verify compliance for each deliverable. Noncompliant posts may result in loss of payment or removal from the platform.
Why this policy matters
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires anyone who receives compensation for endorsing a product or service to clearly and conspicuously disclose that relationship. However, not every piece of content in Whop’s Content Rewards Program is an endorsement.
Earners often edit and repost clips of Sellers or influencers without adding personal opinion, commentary, or approval. In these cases, if there’s no implied endorsement, disclosure may not be required.
This policy helps you understand when you’re in the clear — and when disclosure is mandatory.
What’s a “Material Connection”?
A material connection is anything that might affect the weight or credibility of your content, including:
- Free products, services, or trials
- Discounts, store credit, or giveaways
- Employment or personal relationships with the Seller
If you receive anything of value and also express a personal opinion or endorsement, then you must disclose.
When Is Disclosure Required?
You must disclose your relationship with the Seller if:
- You speak positively about the Seller or product in your own words
- You imply approval (ex; "this changed my life," "you need to try this")
- You appear in the video or use your voice, in a way that connects you to the content
- You remix or comment on Seller’s content in a way that suggests you personally recommend it
You may not need to disclose if:
- You simply repost or edit a Seller's clip without commentary or endorsement
- You are not shown or heard in the content
- You do not imply that you personally use or approve of the product or Seller
- You’re just boosting a piece of content without adding your opinion
Reminder: If your Content Reward is rejected and/or not paid, it is not considered a sponsored post. However, once accepted or paid out, the FTC may view it as a sponsored endorsement if you’ve added any personal flair.
Where and How to Disclose
When required, disclosures must be clear, conspicuous, and unavoidable:
- At the beginning of your caption or video (not buried)
- On every platform where the content appears
- In every format (video, audio, caption, thumbnail)
Platform-Specific Tips
TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts:
- If you speak or show your face, say "Paid partnership" or "Ad" in the first 10 seconds
- Add text overlay and put disclosure in the caption
Instagram:
- Use the paid partnership tag if possible
- Put "#Ad" or similar near the top of your caption
X (Twitter):
- "#Ad" or "Paid by [Seller Name]" must be in the main post
YouTube:
- Say it out loud and put it in the description and caption
- Add #Ad to the thumbnail if it's promotion-heavy or your face is used
What to Say (and Not Say)
Use When Disclosure Is Required:
- #Ad
- Paid partnership with [Seller Name]
- I was paid to post this
- This was sponsored by [Seller Name]
Avoid (Not FTC-Compliant):
- #Collab
- #Sp
- Just tagging @SellerName without context
- Burying disclosures in hashtags or long captions
Examples
Disclosure likely not required (Pure Repost):
You edit and share a Seller’s pre-made video clip without commentary, opinion, or voiceover. No #Ad needed.
Disclosure required:
“This platform changed my hustle. Check out what [Seller Name] is doing. #Ad”
Grey Area (Safer to Disclose):
You remix a Seller’s video with your own voiceover or reactions, even if subtle — use “#Ad” to be safe.
Deliverables & Disclosure
Every piece of content you submit under a Whop Offer is a Deliverable. This includes:
- Social posts (TikTok, X, IG Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.)
- Audio/video commentary
- Remixed content using Seller clips
- Anything that could be seen by an audience
Disclosure is only required if the Deliverable includes personal commentary or endorsement.
Campaign & Payment Rules
- You may post content at any time using eligible content
- Posts are not always manually reviewed before going live - they may go public immediately
- After posting, the Seller or Whop may approve or reject your submission
- If approved, you’ll be paid based on the number of verified views and the campaign’s terms as long as budget remains
- If rejected, you may leave the post up or take it down at your discretion
- If a campaign ends or the budget is exhausted, you won’t be paid for additional views
TL;DR – Quick Rules
Disclose IF:
- You say or imply something positive about the Seller or product
- You’re in the video or use your voice
- You’re doing more than just reposting
You may consider skipping disclosure IF:
- You only repost or edit pre-existing Seller content
- You don’t say anything or appear in the clip
- Your role is purely promotional and impersonal
When in doubt: if it sounds like an endorsement, treat it like one.
This policy is designed to comply with: