Ad Disclosure & #ugcafrica

What is ad disclosure?

When you broadcast brand content and get paid for it, your audience needs to know the post is a paid partnership. This is a legal requirement in most countries - not just a platform rule.

Global rules at a glance

• USA – FTC: Any material connection (payment, free product, etc.) must be "clearly and conspicuously" disclosed. #ad, #sponsored, or a built-in partnership label are acceptable.
• UK – ASA / CAP Code: Ads must be identifiable as ads. #ad must be prominent - not buried in a list of hashtags.
• Nigeria – ARCON: Advertising must be clearly identified. Commercial endorsements by influencers require visible disclosure.
• EU / France – ICC Code: Commercial intent must be apparent to the average consumer.

What you need to do on UGC campaigns

1. Open the campaign details page from Discover (View Details) - required hashtags are listed in the brief. #ad is included by the platform when the campaign requires it.
2. Include #ad (or the required equivalent) in your caption or as the first hashtag in your post - not hidden at the end.
3. Do not remove or hide the disclosure after posting.

Disclosure on WhatsApp Status

WhatsApp Status doesn't support hashtags in the traditional sense - there's no hashtag search on WhatsApp. However, disclosure on Status posts still matters:

• Add the disclosure text to your Status caption alongside the brand image or video. Something like "Partnered with [Brand] - this is a paid promotion" or "Ad:" before the message is clear and honest.
• The campaign brief will specify the required disclosure wording for WhatsApp. Follow it exactly.
• Your contacts trust your Status updates. Honest disclosure protects that trust and keeps you on the right side of advertising regulations in your country.

Disclosure on Snapchat Spotlight

Snapchat Spotlight supports caption text. Include the required disclosure (#ad or equivalent) in your caption. Snapchat also has a paid partnership label - use it if the brief requests it.

The #ugcafrica hashtag

UGC recommends including #ugcafrica in your posts alongside your campaign hashtags on link-based platforms (TikTok, Instagram, X, etc.). Here's why it matters:

• It helps other creators find us. When people search #ugcafrica on TikTok, Instagram, X, or Threads, they discover that real people are earning from their posts through the platform.
• It builds the network. Every post tagged #ugcafrica is social proof that the Human Ad Network works - and a stronger network means more campaign budgets for you.
• It's not mandatory. Some advertisers may turn it off for their campaigns - in that case, the brief won't suggest it.

On WhatsApp Status, including "ugc.africa" in your caption text has the same community-building effect even without a searchable hashtag.

Why disclosure protects you

Regulators in several countries have fined creators and influencers for failing to disclose sponsored content. Disclosure keeps you legally safe and builds long-term trust with your audience - which is what makes your UGC presence valuable.

Platform stance

UGC encourages (and in some markets enforces) disclosure on all campaigns. Campaigns with required disclosure hashtags will show them clearly in the brief. See our Content Policy and Terms for platform rules.