The FTC's rule banning fake reviews and fake social-media influence indicators took effect Oct. 21, 2024
Verified Confidence: high
Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.
- Commonly cited as
- "Is buying fake reviews or followers illegal in the US?"
- True origin
- Federal Trade Commission — Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials (16 CFR Part 465; 89 FR 68077, Aug. 22, 2024)
- Type
- Reference fact: A frequently needed number or rule taken directly from a primary source (e.g. Pew, Census, IAB/PwC, FTC), with its as-of date.
- Year
- 2024
- Data as of
- In force since Oct. 21, 2024 (eCFR timeline)
- Last checked
- What the source says
§ 465.2 Fake or false consumer reviews, consumer testimonials, or celebrity testimonials. ... § 465.4 Buying positive or negative consumer reviews. § 465.5 Insider consumer reviews and consumer testimonials. ... § 465.7 Review suppression. § 465.8 Misuse of fake indicators of social media influence.
- Method & sample
- Regulation text (eCFR).
- Drift between quote and source
- None — violations of a trade regulation rule can bring civil penalties (see the FTC civil penalty entry)
- Interest
- n/a (federal regulator).
Safe rephrasing
Since Oct. 21, 2024, the FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule (16 CFR Part 465) prohibits fake reviews and testimonials, buying reviews, review suppression and misuse of fake social-media influence indicators.
Sources we opened
- eCFR — 16 CFR Part 465 (primary)
Machine-readable: /api/claims/ftc-consumer-reviews-rule-16-cfr-465.json · Last checked 2026-10-16