# AfterSlim Affiliate Content Guidelines **Last Updated:** [INSERT EFFECTIVE DATE] **Version:** 1.0 **Applies To:** All Affiliates of the AfterSlim Affiliate Program > **NOTICE:** This document is not legal advice and is intended as a starting framework subject to legal review. These Guidelines are incorporated by reference into the [Affiliate Agreement](./affiliate-agreement.md). Violation of any rule below is a breach of the Agreement and may result in suspension, termination, clawback of unpaid Commissions, and removal from the Program. --- ## How to Read This Document If a rule says **MUST**, it is mandatory. Breaking it can lead to suspension or termination. If a rule says **SHOULD**, it is strongly recommended. Repeated misses can escalate to a MUST violation. If a rule says **DO NOT**, it is prohibited. No exceptions without written approval from AfterSlim. If you are unsure about a piece of content, email **support@afterslim.com** with the subject line **"Affiliate Content Review"** before posting. --- ## 1. Approved Claims These are the only claims you may make about AfterSlim Products without prior written approval. The Brand team may expand this list over time. Treat the Approved Claims list as the maximum allowed language, not a script. Paraphrasing is fine if you stay within the meaning. Adding qualifiers or specific results that go beyond the meaning is not. > **TO BE COMPLETED BY AFTERSLIM BRAND TEAM.** Insert 5 to 10 brand-approved structure/function statements. Suggested seeds, subject to internal review: > > 1. "Supports your gut during your weight loss journey." > 2. "Made in the USA with science-backed ingredients." > 3. "A daily probiotic and prebiotic companion for adults on a GLP-1 routine." > 4. "Formulated with Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium infantis, Clostridium butyricum, chicory root fiber, and resistant starch." > 5. "Helps support gut health and digestive comfort." > 6. "Designed for adults who care about gut wellness." > 7. "Third-party tested for purity." > 8. "Vegetarian capsules, no artificial fillers." > > Approved Claims must use structure/function language permitted by DSHEA and must avoid disease language. Once finalized, replace this block with the approved final list. When using an Approved Claim in social content, you MUST pair it with the FDA disclaimer in Section 3 unless the post contains no health-related statement at all (for example, a pure aesthetic unboxing). --- ## 2. Prohibited Claims This list is **illustrative, not exhaustive**. When in doubt, do not say it. ### 2.1 Disease and Treatment Claims (FDA/DSHEA Violations) DO NOT use any of the following words or any equivalent in connection with the Products: - "Cures", "treats", "treatment for", "therapy for", "remedy for" - "Prevents", "stops", "blocks", "eliminates" - "Diagnoses" - "Heals", "fixes" - "Reverses" (for any condition) - "Medication", "drug", "pharmaceutical" - "Alternative to Ozempic", "alternative to Wegovy", "alternative to Mounjaro", "alternative to Zepbound" - "Replaces" any prescription drug - "Reduces side effects of" any prescription drug - "Boosts" or "amplifies" any prescription drug's effect - Any reference to specific diseases or conditions including (without limitation): diabetes, type 2 diabetes, obesity, IBS, IBD, leaky gut, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, GERD, SIBO, depression, anxiety, PCOS, metabolic syndrome. ### 2.2 Weight Loss Outcome Claims DO NOT promise, imply, or quantify weight loss results. This includes: - "Lose X pounds in Y days/weeks/months" - "Drop a dress size" - "Melt fat" - "Burn belly fat" - "Guaranteed results", "guaranteed weight loss" - "Works in days", "fast weight loss" - "Miracle", "magic", "secret" - Any before-and-after framing that implies the Product caused the weight change. ### 2.3 Regulatory and Authority Claims DO NOT state or imply: - "FDA approved" or "approved by the FDA" (the FDA does not approve dietary supplements). - "FDA endorsed" or "FDA backed". - "Doctor recommended" without a specific, named, qualified, and verifiable source. - "Clinically proven" without citing the specific study and disclosing that the study evaluated an ingredient, not necessarily the finished Product, where applicable. - "Backed by science" in a way that overstates available evidence. - "Hospital tested", "medical-grade". ### 2.4 GLP-1 Specific Claims This is the highest-risk area for AfterSlim. DO NOT: - Claim the Product enhances, amplifies, accelerates, or replaces any GLP-1 receptor agonist (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Saxenda, Trulicity, or any successor). - Claim the Product reduces, prevents, or eliminates side effects from a GLP-1 drug (for example, nausea, constipation, "Ozempic face", muscle loss, hair loss). - Suggest the Product is a substitute for a prescription medication. - Suggest the Product allows the user to discontinue a prescription medication. - Use the trademarked drug names ("Ozempic", "Wegovy", etc.) as keywords for paid search, or as primary hashtags. Light editorial mentions are permitted only if pre-approved and accompanied by the FDA disclaimer and a clarifying statement that AfterSlim is not affiliated with the drug's manufacturer. ### 2.5 Comparative and Defamatory Claims DO NOT make false, misleading, or unsubstantiated comparisons to specific competitors by name (for example, "Pendulum", "Seed", "Ritual", "AG1"). Truthful, neutral comparisons of ingredient profiles may be acceptable but require pre-approval. --- ## 3. Required FDA Disclaimer The following statement MUST appear, in legible text, on every post, video, story frame, blog post, email, or other piece of content that includes any health, wellness, gut, weight, GLP-1, or structure/function claim about the Products: > ***These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.*** ### 3.1 Placement Rules - **Instagram feed post:** Include the disclaimer in the caption, before any "see more" cutoff. - **Instagram Story:** Include as readable on-screen text on the same frame as the health claim, or on the immediately following frame, large enough to read in 1 to 2 seconds. - **TikTok / Reels / Shorts:** Include the disclaimer as on-screen text for at least 3 seconds, and add it to the caption. - **YouTube long-form:** Include in the description and verbally mention or display on screen during the segment that makes the claim. - **Blog or website:** Include immediately following the claim, in the same readable font size, or in a callout box visible on the same screen view. - **Email marketing:** Include before the call-to-action button. Disclaimers in hover-text, footnotes, footers, hashtags, or "linked elsewhere" formats do NOT satisfy this requirement. --- ## 4. FTC Disclosure Requirements This is a summary. The full reference is the [FTC Disclosure Guide](./ftc-disclosure-guide.md). ### 4.1 Core Rule Every post that promotes AfterSlim and for which you receive any compensation, free product, commission opportunity, or affiliate link, MUST include a clear and conspicuous disclosure of that material connection. ### 4.2 Required Format You MUST use one of the following at the very beginning of the caption, description, or spoken introduction: - "#ad" - "#sponsored" - "Paid partnership with AfterSlim" - The platform's native "Paid Partnership" or "Branded Content" label, where supported. ### 4.3 Disclosure Placement - **MUST** appear before the "see more" cutoff on Instagram, TikTok, and similar platforms. - **MUST** appear in the first 30 seconds of any video, verbally and/or as on-screen text. - **MUST NOT** be hidden inside a long hashtag block at the end of a post. - **MUST NOT** rely solely on profile bio disclosures or static "I work with brands" pages. ### 4.4 Acceptable Examples > "#ad I've been using @afterslim alongside my GLP-1 routine for the past month..." > "Paid partnership with AfterSlim. Sharing a few thoughts on the GLP-1 Companion..." ### 4.5 Unacceptable Examples > "Thanks @afterslim for the gift!" (does not disclose paid relationship) > "...#afterslim #guthealth #ad" (buried in hashtag block) > "#sp" (FTC has specifically called out this abbreviation as insufficient) --- ## 5. Allowed Platforms You MAY use the following platforms to promote AfterSlim, subject to these Guidelines and the platform's own rules: - Instagram (feed, Reels, Stories) - TikTok - YouTube (long-form and Shorts) - Your own personal blog or website - Your own owned email list (with valid opt-in and CAN-SPAM compliant) - Pinterest - Substack or similar newsletter platforms - Podcasts where you are the host or invited guest --- ## 6. Prohibited Platforms and Methods DO NOT promote AfterSlim through: - Paid search ads (Google Ads, Bing Ads) bidding on "AfterSlim" or brand variations. - Paid social ads using AfterSlim Brand Assets without pre-approval. (Paid social on your own content is permitted only with prior written approval from AfterSlim and only with approved claim language.) - Coupon-only sites or cashback sites (Honey, RetailMeNot, similar). - Display ad networks that target sensitive categories (medical, weight loss, prescription drugs). - Unsolicited email or SMS. CAN-SPAM and TCPA compliance is mandatory. - Robocalls, autodialers, or any automated outbound communication. - Fake review sites or review aggregators where you have not actually purchased and used the Product. - Public forums (Reddit, Quora) where you do not disclose your affiliate relationship in the same post. - Doorbusters, prize draws, and sweepstakes that require purchase of the Product. --- ## 7. Prohibited Content Types DO NOT create or share: - Before-and-after photos that imply the Product caused the change, unless explicitly pre-approved. - Medical advice or anything that could be interpreted as medical advice. - Content directed at minors. AfterSlim is for adults 18+. - Content that targets vulnerable populations (people with eating disorders, pregnant or nursing women, people in active medical treatment). - Fake or AI-generated testimonials, fake customers, or AI-generated likenesses of real people without consent and clear disclosure. - Content that compares AfterSlim to a prescription drug as if AfterSlim were a substitute. - Drug paraphernalia or content alongside controlled substances. - Sexually explicit content, hate speech, or any content that violates platform community guidelines. - Clickbait thumbnails or titles that misrepresent the Product or its results. - Fake scarcity (for example, "only 3 left!" when supply is unrestricted) or fake urgency. --- ## 8. Brand Asset Usage ### 8.1 What You May Use - The AfterSlim wordmark and logo, in their official forms. - Approved product photography. - Approved color palette: primary orange `#ea580c` and supporting neutrals. - Approved typography references (sans-serif primary, no specific font required for Affiliates). ### 8.2 Where to Get Them The current Affiliate Brand Kit is available in the Affiliate Dashboard at `admin.afterslim.com/affiliate/dashboard` under "Brand Assets". ### 8.3 Restrictions DO NOT: - Modify, recolor, distort, animate, or add effects to the logo. - Combine the AfterSlim logo with any other logo without permission. - Use the AfterSlim name or logo as your social handle, website domain, or app name. - Use the logo or any Brand Asset on merchandise for resale. - Use the logo in any context that disparages AfterSlim. ### 8.4 Photography of the Product Original photography of the Product taken by you is encouraged, provided: - The Product is shown accurately and not in a disparaging context. - Labels are not edited or covered in a way that hides ingredient or disclaimer text. - The photo is not staged to suggest medical or clinical settings (hospital beds, IV poles, prescription bottles). --- ## 9. Quality Standards ### 9.1 Honesty Be honest about your experience with the Product. If you have not personally used it, do not claim to. Do not invent details. ### 9.2 No Clickbait Headlines, captions, and thumbnails must accurately reflect content. "She lost 50 pounds with this one trick" style framing is prohibited. ### 9.3 No Misleading Visuals Do not use thumbnails or imagery of dramatic weight loss, scales, syringes, or prescription drugs in a way that implies AfterSlim caused or replaces those. ### 9.4 No Fake Urgency Do not invent stock shortages, time-limited sales, or exclusive deals that do not exist. Reference the live sale and pricing on `afterslim.com`. --- ## 10. Pre-Approval Required You MUST get written pre-approval from AfterSlim before publishing any of the following: - Paid ads (any format, any platform). - Long-form video content (more than 60 seconds) that makes specific claims about the Product. - Podcast sponsorships and live read scripts. - Content that names, mentions, or compares any specific GLP-1 prescription drug. - Content that makes any health claim not on the Approved Claims list. - Email campaigns sent to lists larger than 5,000 recipients. - Webinars or live events where AfterSlim is featured. - Press, PR, or journalist outreach using AfterSlim Brand Assets. To request pre-approval, email **support@afterslim.com** with subject line **"Affiliate Pre-Approval Request"** and attach the proposed content or script. Allow up to **5 business days** for a response. --- ## 11. What Happens When You Violate These Guidelines Violations are tracked. The AfterSlim team handles them according to an internal protocol. Generally: - **Minor first-time issue** (forgotten disclosure, borderline claim): a warning email, 48 hours to correct. - **Repeat or moderate issue** (claim about disease, missing FDA disclaimer on a viral post): payout suspension and 7 days to correct. - **Severe issue** (aggressive disease/cure claims, brand misuse, fraud): immediate termination and clawback of unpaid Commissions. - **Legal exposure** (FTC inquiry, FDA letter, lawsuit): immediate termination and escalation. Full detail is in our internal protocol. You are entitled to appeal a decision in writing within 7 days; see Section 12. --- ## 12. Appeals If you believe a warning, suspension, or termination was issued in error, you may appeal by emailing **support@afterslim.com** within seven (7) days of receiving notice. Include: - Your affiliate slug. - The specific decision you are appealing. - The reason and any supporting evidence (screenshots, links, dates). AfterSlim will respond within ten (10) business days. Appeal decisions are final. --- ## 13. Updates to These Guidelines These Guidelines may be updated by AfterSlim from time to time. Material changes will be announced in the Affiliate Dashboard and emailed to active Affiliates with at least thirty (30) days' notice. Continued participation in the Program after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Guidelines. --- ## Contact Questions, pre-approval requests, and appeals: **support@afterslim.com** --- *This document is published by VQ Group LLC d/b/a AfterSlim, a Florida limited liability company.*