FTC to Examine Online 'Sponsored Content'

Prepare for more unnecessary government meddling

The Federal Trade Commission will examine "sponsored content" in digital media, the organization announced Monday.

The agency will hold a workshop in December on the ads, which look similar to stories posted on news web sites and are growing in popularity as news media look for new ways to make money.

The FTC, which has the ability to crack down on deceptive advertising, now has non-binding guidelines on the use of the sponsored content ads. The workshop could be a first step toward expanding or strengthening them.