Applies To

All users participating in any dobalo Content Rewards, campaigns, or similar programs on the dobalo platform.

Maintaining FTC-compliant disclosure when required is mandatory.

Important: While dobalo provides tools, templates, and guidance, all Creators and Brands are individually responsible for ensuring their posts comply with FTC regulations. dobalo does not pre-approve the compliance of content and cannot verify compliance for each deliverable. Noncompliant posts may result in loss of payment, reversal of rewards, or removal from the platform or specific campaigns.

In this policy:

Creator = the person posting or submitting content via dobalo

Brand = the advertiser, seller, or client you're promoting via dobalo

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.

Creators on dobalo often edit and repost clips of Brands or other influencers. Sometimes they add personal opinions or commentary; in other cases, they may not. In some cases, they may not be directly paid for a particular post but still receive something of value overall.

Whenever there is a material connection and you make an endorsement, you must disclose it.

What's a "Material Connection"?

A material connection is anything that might affect how your audience evaluates your content, including (but not limited to):

• Free products, services, or trials
• Discounts, store credit, or giveaways
• Direct payments or performance-based rewards
• Employment, agency work, or personal relationships with the Brand

If you receive anything of value and also express a personal opinion, recommendation, or endorsement, then you must disclose.

When Is Disclosure Required?

You must disclose your relationship with the Brand if any of the following apply:

• You get paid, expect to get paid, or receive something of value in return for your post
• You speak positively about the Brand or product in your own words
• You imply approval (e.g., "this changed my life," "you need to try this," "this is my go-to tool now")
• You appear in the video or use your voice in a way that connects you personally to the content
• You remix, stitch, duet, or comment on a Brand's content in a way that suggests you personally recommend it
• You are participating in a dobalo campaign where rewards or payouts are tied to your content performance

When in doubt, treat it as an endorsement and disclose.

Where and How to Disclose

When required, disclosures must be:

• Clear (simple, understandable language)
• Conspicuous (easy to notice, not hidden)
• Unavoidable (visible without needing to click "more" or open extra menus)

You must:

• Place disclosure at the beginning of your caption or early in the video (not buried at the end)
• Disclose on every platform where the content appears
• Disclose in every format (video, audio, caption, thumbnail) when applicable

Platform-Specific Tips

TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts

• If you speak or show your face, say "Paid partnership," "Sponsored," or "Ad" within the first 10 seconds
• Add a text overlay such as "Ad" or "Paid partnership"
• Put disclosure (e.g., "#Ad") near the start of the caption

Instagram (Feed & Reels)

• Use the Paid Partnership tag if available
• Add "#Ad" or similar near the top of your caption (not hidden after "…more")
• If your face or voice is used, consider also stating it in the video (e.g., "This is a paid partnership…")

X (Twitter)

• "#Ad" or "Paid by [Brand Name]" must be in the main post, not only in a reply or thread
• Avoid burying disclosure at the end of a long string of hashtags

YouTube (Long-form & Shorts)

• Say it out loud early in the video (e.g., "This video is sponsored by [Brand Name]")
• Put the disclosure in the description and, when possible, in the caption or title
• Add "#Ad" to the thumbnail if the content is heavily promotional or your face is used prominently

What to Say (and Not Say)

Use When Disclosure Is Required (Recommended Phrases)

• #Ad – When you use #Ad in connection with dobalo campaigns or rewards, you must also tag the official dobalo account(s)
• Paid partnership with [Brand Name]
• I was paid to post this
• This was sponsored by [Brand Name]
• Thanks to [Brand Name] for sponsoring this post

You may combine them, e.g.: "Paid partnership with [Brand Name] via @dobalo – #Ad"

Avoid (Not FTC-Compliant on Their Own)

• #Collab
• #Sp or other vague abbreviations
• Just tagging @BrandName or @dobalo without explaining it's an ad or sponsored
• Burying disclosures in a long block of hashtags or at the very end of a caption
• Using ambiguous language that doesn't clearly indicate a paid/sponsored relationship

Examples

Disclosure clearly required:

"This platform changed how I work. Check out what [Brand Name] is doing. #Ad @dobalo"

"Paid partnership with [Brand Name] via @dobalo – they sponsored this video. #Ad"

Grey Area (Safer to Disclose):

• You remix a Brand's video with your own voiceover or reactions, even if subtle
• You receive free access or free product through a dobalo campaign
• You are in an ongoing compensated relationship with the Brand, even if this particular post isn't individually paid

In these situations, use "#Ad" and tag the official dobalo account(s) to be safe.

Deliverables & Disclosure

Every piece of content you submit under a dobalo campaign or Content Rewards offer is a Deliverable, including:

• Social posts (TikTok, X, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.)
• Audio/video commentary related to a Brand or product
• Remixed content using Brand clips (stitches, duets, reactions, edits)
• Any other content tied to a dobalo campaign that can be seen by an audience

If a Deliverable involves an endorsement and a material connection, disclosure is required.

Campaign & Payment Rules

• You may usually post content at any time using eligible or approved content, subject to the specific campaign brief.
• Posts are not always manually reviewed before going live; they may go public immediately.
• After posting, the Brand or dobalo may review, approve, or reject your submission based on campaign rules and guidelines.
• If approved, you'll be paid based on the number of verified views, actions, or other metrics defined in the campaign, and the campaign's terms and available budget.
• If rejected, you may typically leave the post up or take it down at your discretion (unless the campaign or local law specifies otherwise).
• If a campaign ends or the budget is exhausted, you will not be paid for additional views or actions that occur after that point, even if the content is still live.

Noncompliance with these guidelines, the campaign brief, or FTC rules can lead to:

• Rejection of Deliverables
• Loss or reversal of payment
• Removal from current or future dobalo campaigns

TL;DR – Quick Rules

Disclose IF:

• You get paid (or expect to be paid) to post
• You receive something of value (free access, product, discount, etc.)
• You say or imply something positive about the Brand or product
• You appear in the video or use your voice
• You're doing more than just a neutral repost (e.g., you add commentary, reactions, or edits)

And when you disclose using #Ad in a dobalo-related campaign, you must also tag the official dobalo account(s) specified in your brief (e.g., @dobalo).

When in doubt: If it sounds like an endorsement or could reasonably be interpreted that way, treat it as one and disclose.

Regulatory References

This policy is designed to align with, and help you apply, the following FTC resources (not an exhaustive list):

• FTC Endorsement Guides (2023)
• Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers
• What People Are Asking: Endorsement Guide FAQs

You are responsible for reviewing and complying with any applicable laws and platform rules in your jurisdiction. These guidelines reflect how dobalo campaigns and submissions function on the platform and should be read together with the dobalo Terms of Service and campaign briefs.