Clickbooth, the first cost-per-action online advertising network to develop compliance guidelines for a number of advertising-related issues, is calling for increased self-regulation in the affiliate marketing industry in response to consumer complaints over the acai berry offers and promotions.

The acai berry product has been the subject of fake blogs and fake product reviews. Graham Gochneaur, Clickbooth`s chief marketing officer, says blog sites like this create a negative image of affiliate marketing, and suggests the industry take action to regulate its operations. Specifically, Clickbooth has introduced compliance guidelines and is encouraging others in the industry to apply them as well.

"Misleading marketing methods, specifically fake blogs and fake review sites, have recently taken our industry by storm," says Gochneaur. "We haven't forgotten the most important people in our business are the consumers. Clickbooth has taken a strong stance toward not allowing these marketing methods and has frowned upon this marketing style since its inception.

"Effective immediately, Clickbooth will be enforcing blog and review site compliance guidelines, including full disclosure and transparency to the consumer, a fair review process and authenticity of blogs and review sites, with its publishers across all industries.

Ziare Brown, senior director of compliance and enforcement at Clickbooth, notes that Clickbooth will ensure that blog and review Web sites comply with these guidelines by reserving the right to audit randomly each publisher Web site for compliance. At Clickbooth's request, the publisher must provide a copy of the depicted consumer`s driver`s license or other form of government identification as well as confirm or authenticate facts stated on the Web site. The publisher must respond satisfactorily within five business days of an audit or the account will be terminated.

"Clickbooth does not tolerate fake blog and review sites or any other activities that mislead or deceive consumers in any way shape or form," says Brown. "These guidelines establish integrity in a market with zero regulation. I encourage other companies in our industry to follow suit as these types of activities only hurt our industry as a whole."