Reference / Glossary / Privacy and regulation
Comparative Advertising
Advertising that names or clearly identifies a competitor. Permitted in the United States when claims are truthful and substantiated, and encouraged by the FTC; restricted or effectively prohibited in several other countries. Trademark use in comparative ads and in competitor keyword bidding is governed by separate case law.
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Cite this entry:
Agency Echelon. "Comparative Advertising." Agency Echelon Reference, reviewed September 2026. https://agencyechelon.com/reference/glossary/comparative-advertising/