How to Disclose Free Products in an Honest Review

Say plainly that the brand gave you the product free, and place that disclosure before or beside your review. A free product disclosure tells readers about a brand benefit that could influence how they judge your opinion. Disclose the connection even if the brand did not require a post or you believe the free item did not affect your verdict.

The Federal Trade Commission says the key issue is whether audiences might not expect the relationship and whether it could affect credibility; its guidance is not a legal safe harbor. See the FTC's Endorsement Guides guidance.

Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on September 09, 2026.

Use specific, unmistakable wording

Name both the brand and what you received. A clear disclosure might say, "Brand X gave me this product to try," or "Brand X sent me this product free for review." Avoid relying only on phrases such as "gifted," "thanks," "comped," or "free product." The FTC warns that these terms can be ambiguous, particularly when they do not identify the company or explain the relationship. If you received other compensation, disclose that too.

Review the FTC's disclosure examples. Useful disclosure templates include:

• "Brand X provided this product free. The opinions in this review are my own."
• "Brand X gave me this product and paid me to share my experience."
• "Brand X provided the product free, and I may earn a commission from purchases through the links below."
• "Brand X covered my travel and provided the product reviewed here."

Put the disclosure where readers will see it

Place the disclosure with or immediately before the review. On a blog, put it above the first recommendation or product evaluation—not only in the footer, author bio, or disclosure-policy page. For a social post, readers should see the disclosure without opening hidden text or searching through hashtags.

In video, the FTC advises including it in the video itself, preferably both visually and audibly. See the FTC's Disclosures 101 guidance. Repeat the disclosure when the relationship matters in a later post.

A previous disclosure does not ensure that a new audience will understand why you received the item.

Disclose every relevant benefit

A free item may be only part of the arrangement. Payment, affiliate commissions, travel, event access, discounts, or other perks can also affect how readers assess a recommendation. Do not write only "I received this free" if you were also paid.

That wording could leave readers with the mistaken impression that the product was your only compensation. Keep the explanation proportional and direct. Readers usually need to know who provided the benefit and what kind of benefit it was—not every contract detail.

Disclosure does not make every review acceptable

A disclosure cannot correct a false or unsupported review. Try the product before evaluating it, describe your actual experience, and do not repeat claims you cannot support, including unsupported health claims. Separate observation from assumption.

For example, "The bottle lasted three weeks in my household" describes an experience. A broad claim that the product will produce the same result for everyone would require support beyond one person's use. The FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, effective October 21, 2024, allows review incentives only when they are not expressly or implicitly tied to positive or negative sentiment.

Paying or rewarding someone for a five-star review is prohibited even when the payment is disclosed. Read the FTC's rule Q&A.

Check the review before publishing

Read the disclosure as if you knew nothing about the arrangement. If you cannot immediately identify the brand and every meaningful benefit, revise it. Before publishing, confirm that: If space is tight, preserve the essential facts: "Brand X provided this free, and I earn commissions from qualifying purchases."

• The disclosure appears before or beside the endorsement.
• It names the company that supplied the item.
• It says clearly that the product was free or discounted.
• It identifies payment, commissions, travel, or other benefits.
• The review reflects actual use and an honest opinion.