401: FTC Banning Fake Reviews, How to Save Money On Your Podcast, Warm Audio WA47

·55 min·5 clips

The FTC just banned fake reviews and AI-generated testimonials—here’s what it means for every online reviewer.

The episode opens with Bandrew announcing the FTC's final rule banning fake reviews, fake testimonials, and AI-generated reviews, which aims to protect consumers from manipulated online feedback. He reads key prohibitions from the FTC summary, including bans on buying positive or negative reviews, insider reviews without disclosure, and fake social media indicators like bot followers. Bandrew connects this to a personal anecdote from episode 198, where a company offered a $40 refund for a five-star review, illustrating why such regulation is needed. He expresses support for the rule, noting it also protects reviewers from intimidation by companies. Next, Bandrew shifts to a rant about saving money on his podcast, explaining he reduced annual costs from $960 to $487 by switching audio from stereo to mono MP3, canceling SpeakPipe, and dropping specialized email services. He breaks down the financial impact, showing a 74% increase in net income. Bandrew then briefly tests the Warm Audio WA-47 microphone, a $950 tube mic he purchased in 2020, noting it sounds artificial but plans a full review later. The episode includes listener comments, such as Jim Kincaid asking for more accounting insights and Matt Coens clarifying inflation versus deflation. Bandrew discusses why his Clipscastage channel grows faster than his main podcast, revealing clips attract new viewers while episodes retain returning ones. He shares the history of his podcast's channel moves, from Geeks Rising to Podcastage to the dedicated Bandrew Says channel. The value-for-value section thanks supporters like Robert Tower, Oscar, and Raina Richter for financial contributions. Bandrew ends with a weekly recommendation to sleep in one day a week, after years of a rigid 5:30 AM alarm schedule, sharing his positive experience with eight hours of sleep.

As heard by us

FTC enforcement, podcast savings, and a $950 tube mic anchor this episode.

Episode 401 starts by laying out the FTC's August 14, 2024 final rule on fake reviews and testimonials, with the emphasis on consumer accuracy, enforcement, civil penalties, and AI-generated fake reviews.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

If your podcast budget keeps creeping, this one checks the FTC and the gear drawer.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Bandrew Says Podcast