{
  "schema_version": "1.1",
  "id": "ftc-free-products-are-material-connection",
  "slug": "ftc-free-products-are-material-connection",
  "url": "https://groundedkit.com/claims/ftc-free-products-are-material-connection/",
  "api_url": "https://groundedkit.com/api/claims/ftc-free-products-are-material-connection.json",
  "claim": "Free or discounted products count as a 'material connection' that influencers must disclose",
  "commonly_cited_as": "\"You only need to disclose if you were paid\" (false)",
  "verdict": "verified",
  "verdict_definition": "Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.",
  "confidence": "high",
  "rating": {
    "value": 5,
    "best": 5,
    "worst": 1
  },
  "origin": {
    "publisher": "Federal Trade Commission",
    "title": "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers (Nov. 2019)",
    "year": "2019"
  },
  "quote": "A \"material connection\" to the brand includes a personal, family, or employment relationship or a financial relationship – such as the brand paying you or giving you free or discounted products or services. ... make a disclosure even if you weren't asked to mention that product.",
  "method": "FTC staff guidance brochure.",
  "drift": [
    "None"
  ],
  "interest": "n/a (federal regulator).",
  "safe_rephrasing": "FTC guidance says free or discounted products, payment, employment and family ties are all material connections an influencer should disclose.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "FTC — Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers",
      "url": "https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers",
      "primary": true
    }
  ],
  "kind": "reference_fact",
  "as_of": "FTC staff brochure (Nov. 2019), consistent with the 2023 Endorsement Guides",
  "last_checked": "2026-10-16",
  "stale": false,
  "date_reviewed": "2026-10-16",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0",
  "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}