How to Spot Sponsored Content Using an Article That Is Absolutely Not an Ad
by Paul M. French
During our recent issue launch, I boasted that we wouldn’t be publishing any sponsored content. However, it quickly became clear that many readers were unaware of what sponsored content is—and just how pervasive it’s become in the media. Here’s a quick rundown and case study, using an article that is absolutely not an ad.
The headline pictured above is taken from Fox News, where the article was published. This article is not labeled as advertising by the news organization, and, therefore, it is absolutely not an ad. At least, I certainly could not say so. However, this article happens to contain some very crucial indicators that are coincidentally perfect for identifying the ads lurking in your newsfeed. We’ll be using it as an example of what to look out for, but first:
What is Sponsored Content?
Sponsored content is advertising disguised as news. Companies will pay extra money for m…
