Should reviewers disclose receiving compensation?

Is it wrong not to disclose being compensated to endorse a product?

Twenty-six years ago, after I had finished writing the manuscript for a book on business ethics, the publisher asked me for the names of people who might read and write endorsements for the book. I dutifully came up with the list and the publisher sent copies of the book galleys to the names I provided, plus others my editor had come up with to ask if they’d consider writing something.

Many of those contacted graciously offered to write an endorsement and sent them to my publisher. One of the contacted reviewers, the retired CEO of an aerospace company, offered to write a short introduction for the book. None of those who took the time to read the book and write endorsements were compensated for the task – not even the retired CEO who put quite a bit of time and thought into his introduction. Whether endorsements actually help sell a book is hard to know, but I am grateful to each of them for having done so.

One person contacted, however, responded with what I recall as a one-page list of the types of reviews she might provide along with a price attached to each. I had only met this person once at a charity dinner where we were seated at the same table. But I had been familiar with her and her business for several years since we had written about her and her company in the magazine where I served as an editor just before I finished writing the book.

I found her request for compensation odd at the time and thought that if she didn’t have time to read the book and write something, it would have been better for her to decline the opportunity to do so. But had I taken her up on her offer to write something, I would have been obligated to disclose to readers that she had been paid to do so.

I’ve long believed that journalists should disclose if they are receiving compensation – whether in goods or services – as part of an effort to write whatever it is they are writing. Readers have the right to know, for example, that a travel writer is receiving free airfare, lodging and meals if they are reviewing some hot vacation spot. If they are receiving free flights or hotel rooms, it’s likely that readers won’t be able to have a similar experience without spending copious amounts of money.

Some travel publications don’t permit writers to accept such freebies. Many of those that do disclose if writers are receiving free goods and services. As long as a reader is made aware of such transactions, I don’t find anything wrong with the practice.

The same is true with groups of influencers who are given products to write about. You’ll find many of the reviews on Amazon.com, including those for books I’ve written, end with a sentence such as “I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.”

Not disclosing to readers or users when a reviewer receives free goods or services in exchange for writing a review is wrong. The right thing is to be as transparent as possible so a reader is fully informed. It’s also OK to simply say “no” to invitations to review if you’d simply prefer not to.

Jeffrey L. Seglin, author of The Simple Art of Business Etiquette: How to Rise to the Top by Playing Nice, is a senior lecturer in public policy and director of the communications program at Harvard's Kennedy School. He is also the administrator of www.jeffreyseglin.com, a blog focused on ethical issues.

Do you have ethical questions that you need to have answered? Send them to jeffreyseglin@gmail.com.

Follow him on Twitter @jseglin.

(c) 2025 JEFFREY L. SEGLIN. Distributed by TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.