What are the requirements and regulations for advertising my business?

Advertising your small business in California requires following certain regulations and requirements. Generally, California law requires that any advertising a business does must be truthful, not misleading, and must not make false claims about their product or services. The California Business and Professions Code section 17500 prohibits "untrue or misleading" advertisements, meaning any statement or representation about a product, service, or business that is likely to deceive or mislead reasonable consumers. This includes statements about the product or service, the source or origin of the product, the price of the product or service, the sale or supply of the product, and any other matter that could influence a consumer’s purchasing decision. It is important to remember that California law allows consumers to sue you for misleading advertising. Businesses must also comply with federal advertising laws, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act which prohibits false, misleading, and deceptive advertising across the country. As such, companies must make sure that what they post, in terms of wording, images, and other elements of their advertising campaigns, must accurately reflect the product or service they are offering. Overall, it is important to remember when advertising your small business in California that you understand not only the state’s advertising regulations, but federal regulations as well. Keep your claims, statements, and images truthful, and make sure all of your advertising campaigns remain accurate and current, in order to ensure your business is in compliance with all applicable laws.

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What are the requirements and regulations for advertising my business?

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