Why Testimonials Can Get Your Brand Sued

Before-and-after photos and glowing testimonials can sell products fast, but they’re also some of the most heavily scrutinized tools in advertising. The FTC requires that any endorsement reflect typical results, and the old “results not typical” fine print no longer cuts it. In this episode, I explain how I review and edit testimonials for compliant disclosures, how I evaluate before-and-after images for accuracy, permissions, and unintentional manipulation, and how I help brands build clear internal policies to prevent drift. The goal is to keep authentic customer stories in your marketing without escalating your legal risk. Call, click, or email if you need help tightening this up. 

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Episode Transcript

Darshan (00:00):
Can I use before and after photos or testimonials in
my advertising?
So testimonials and before andafter photos are powerful, but
they're heavily policed.
The FTC requires that typicalresults must be disclosed.
A fine print results, nottypical disclaimer is no longer
enough.
Here's what I tend to do.
I review your testimonials, Iedit them to include legally

(00:20):
compliant disclosures.
For before and after photos, Itend to ensure that you have
permission forms, you haveaccurate representation of
results, and no misleadingfilters or edits.
I also create testimonialpolicies and train your
marketing team on how to gatherand use endorsements
responsibly.
This means keeping yourauthentic customer stories in
your campaigns without exposingyour company to enforcement

(00:42):
actions or even worse, classaction lawsuits.
Call, click, or email.