At Heylist, we are dedicated to cultivating an influencer marketing ecosystem that is ethical, accountable, and transparent, ultimately fostering greater trust and responsibility. Our commitment is to lead the industry by establishing new best practices:
Authenticity & honesty
- We encourage influencers to endorse products and services they genuinely believe in and have personally experienced.
- We prohibit deceptive tactics like false claims, fake reviews, or misleading information about products or services.
Continuous education & training
- Mandatory education and training programs are in place for influencers, brands, and marketing agencies to ensure a deep understanding of ethical best practices and legal requirements.
- Training materials are regularly updated to reflect industry changes and regulatory developments.
Disclosure & transparency
- Strict disclosure rules are enforced for influencers’ relationships with brands or products, using language easily understandable by their audience.
- Disclosures must be prominent, not hidden within content or hashtags.
- We provide specific guidance for different platforms (e.g., Instagram, YouTube, TikTok) on making disclosures.
Fact-checking & substantiation
- A due diligence process is in place to verify the accuracy of product claims and other brand-provided information.
- Influencers are advised to fact-check and verify product claims before promotion.
Brand selection & alignment
- Brands are vetted to ensure they do not promote harmful, offensive, or inappropriate products.
- Influencers are encouraged to partner with brands that align with their values and audience interests, promoting genuine partnerships.
Clear contractual agreements
- Influencer-brand partnerships are based on clear contracts outlining expectations, deliverables, content usage rights, and compensation.
- Contracts include clauses about adherence to ethical guidelines.
Monitoring & reporting mechanisms
- Mechanisms are established to monitor influencer marketing content for ethical standard compliance.
- Reporting of unethical practices by industry peers, consumers, or watchdog organizations is encouraged.
Responsible data handling
- Guidelines are set for responsible personal data handling by influencers and marketers, complying with privacy laws.
- Guidelines are provided for brands and influencers on obtaining consent for collecting or using audience personal information.
Enforcement & consequences
- Consequences for violating ethical guidelines include warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans from the platform.
- Compliance is enforced through cooperation with social media platforms and regulatory bodies.
Creating these industry standards requires collaboration between brands, marketing agencies, advertising associations, and regulatory authorities. Open discussions and stakeholder feedback are vital for refining and updating these guidelines to adapt to the evolving influencer marketing landscape. Working closely with regulatory bodies ensures that our practices adhere to legal requirements and maintain the highest ethical standards.
