Amazon, Facebook Among Companies Facing FTC Warning Over Reviews

Companies including Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc. could face fines over fake reviews or other misleading endorsements online, according to a warning from the Federal Trade Commission.

The warning comes as social media has blurred the line between authentic content and advertising, according to the FTC’s Wednesday announcement. Practices such as influencer marketing leave some consumers confused about when posters are paid to endorse a product, if their connection to the brand isn’t clearly disclosed.

The agency sent more than 700 companies a notice that they could incur penalties of up to $43,792 per violation if they use endorsements in ...