Verified Confidence: high
Primary source found; it says the same thing, the scope matches, and it is reasonably current.
Safe rephrasing
The FTC's 'Free' guide says a 'Free' offer on one product size in one area should not run more than 6 months in 12, with at least 30 days between offers and no more than three offers a year.
What the source says
a single size of a product or a single kind of service should not be advertised with a “Free” offer in a trade area for more than 6 months in any 12-month period. At least 30 days should elapse before another such offer is promoted in the same trade area. No more than three such offers should be made in the same area in any 12-month period.
Federal Trade Commission (16 CFR Part 251) — Guide Concerning Use of the Word “Free” and Similar Representations
- Commonly cited as
- "How often can you advertise 'free'?"
- True origin
- Federal Trade Commission (16 CFR Part 251) — Guide Concerning Use of the Word “Free” and Similar Representations
- 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
- 1971 guide, current eCFR
- Data as of
- eCFR text read 2026-10-17
- Last checked
- Method & sample
- Text of the FTC guide in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Drift between quote and source
- An FTC guide (interpretive), not a statute; it describes what the FTC considers non-deceptive
- Interest
- n/a (federal regulator's guidance).
Sources we opened
- eCFR — 16 CFR Part 251 primary