25. What US compliance risks should a GEO buyer check?

Focus on the claims, endorsements, reviews and data practices involved—not merely the fact that the service is called GEO. Obtain legal review where the programme involves regulated claims, personal information or questionable promotional tactics.

Three issues deserve particular attention:

1. Unsupported performance claims. FTC substantiation policy covers objective advertising claims and the evidence advertisers possess before making them. Ask what supports statements such as a guaranteed percentage improvement. (ftc.gov)
2. Fake or manipulated consumer reviews. FTC guidance addresses fake reviews and incentives conditioned on positive or negative sentiment. Its FAQ also distinguishes consumer and celebrity testimonials from endorsements by businesses; do not assume every B2B endorsement falls into an identical rule category. (ftc.gov)
3. Undisclosed material connections. FTC endorsement guidance explains why relationships that affect the weight a reader gives an endorsement may need disclosure. Paid placement should not be presented as independent editorial validation. (consumer.ftc.gov)

Our contract recommendation is to prohibit fabricated identities, fake customer experiences and undisclosed promotional relationships. Require approval for public product claims and preserve the underlying evidence.

This is a procurement risk checklist, not a determination of how every federal, state or sector-specific requirement applies to your organisation.