The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has issued a strong advisory to LinkedIn influencers, emphasizing the importance of transparency in disclosing brand collaborations and sponsored content.
The move comes after ASCI received 60 complaints in a week regarding undisclosed brand affiliations, with 56 cases breaching its influencer guidelines, the ASCI Code, and the Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) regulations.
The advisory is a call to action for influencers to clearly indicate any material connection with brands in their posts. ASCI has made it clear that disclosures must be prominent and not hidden within hashtags or external links. This initiative aims to uphold trust and credibility in the professional network, especially since LinkedIn influencers often hold influential positions in their industries.
Manisha Kapoor, ASCI’s secretary general and CEO, remarked, “LinkedIn influencers are regarded as credible experts in their fields, which makes it crucial for them to lead by example in adhering to ethical advertising practices. Transparency about affiliations is essential not just for compliance with the ASCI Code and CCPA rules, but also for maintaining their own reputation. Failure to disclose such connections could lead to action by regulatory bodies and erode the trust they have built with their audience.”
Unlike other social platforms that offer built-in tools for labeling ads, LinkedIn requires users to manually add terms such as “Ad” or “Partnership” to indicate sponsorships. The lack of automated tools has led to numerous professionals flagging suspicious posts to ASCI, prompting further investigation.
This advisory is a timely reminder for LinkedIn influencers to prioritize responsible content practices. Transparency is not only a legal obligation but also a cornerstone of professional integrity. Influencers who fail to disclose partnerships risk facing regulatory scrutiny and losing the trust of their followers.
With this initiative, ASCI aims to foster a transparent and ethical advertising ecosystem, reinforcing the importance of accountability in influencer marketing across platforms
