Brand safety sounds clinical. Like a line item. A checklist. A filter you apply before launch.
You’d think telling someone they just scored a free trip to Tulum or a six-figure collab would be the most dramatic part of influencer marketing. It’s not.
When Influence Becomes Liability
Social media is shifting again. Meta’s Threads has crossed 150 million users. Bluesky is building momentum with a decentralized vision. Even apps like Mastodon and Nostr are finding their niche audiences.
The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter
In April 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that could ban TikTok if its parent company, ByteDance, fails to divest. With the Senate expected to follow, and the White House already signaling support, this isn’t just noise.
Shein, one of the biggest names in Gen Z retail, had partnered with creators who failed to clearly disclose sponsored relationships. And because those disclosures were unclear, inconsistent, or buried, the FTC determined that the brand itself bore responsibility.
We’re excited to announce the launch of Web Search — a powerful new feature that brings real-time internet coverage directly into every new creator scan on the VwD platform.
It started with a tweet. The creator wasn’t new. In fact, the brand had worked with her on two successful campaigns before. Her aesthetic matched perfectly, her engagement was stellar, and her audience adored her. But one late-night tweet — a tasteless joke, resurfaced from 2016 — changed everything.
Brand compliance has always been a cornerstone of successful marketing and advertising, ensuring that campaigns align with legal regulations and brand values. However, as digital marketing grows increasingly complex, traditional compliance methods are being pushed to their limits.
In the fast-paced world of influencer marketing and digital compliance, understanding creator behavior is critical for maintaining brand safety, aligning with campaign goals, and ensuring compliance.
In today’s hyper-connected digital landscape, hate speech is a growing concern.
