What do the Advertising Board's 2025 Decisions Tell Brands?
The Advertising Board's decisions published in the final months of 2025 contain important messages for brands operating in the digital advertising and e-commerce world. Particularly noteworthy boundaries were drawn regarding algorithmic decision-making processes, consumer feedback management, and campaign communication.
As Maske Medya, we have summarized these decisions as key points that brands should consider when updating their digital strategies.
1. Algorithm-Based Account Closure Found Unlawful
Decision No: 2025/3594
The Advertising Board deemed the closure of a consumer account based solely on statistical data and algorithmic evaluations as an unfair commercial practice.
Blocking access without providing concrete justification was found unlawful because it affects the consumer's economic behavior.
Message for brands:
Algorithmic systems can be used; however, decision-making processes must be transparent, reasoned, and auditable.
2. Selective Publication of Consumer Reviews Leads to Penalties
Decision No: 2025/3644
A well-known international e-commerce platform's decision to exclude a negative review from its main product page by categorizing it under a different heading was deemed an unfair trade practice by the Board.
📌 Penalty: 863,580 TL administrative fine
Message for brands:
Review management is not a PR activity, but a legal responsibility. A selective publication policy can lead to serious sanctions.
3. Transparency in Review and Rating Systems is Essential
Decision No: 2025/3343
In a decision concerning a travel website, the publication of reviews taken from another platform without verification and the lack of a clear explanation of the rating system were found to be misleading.
For example:
Displaying ratings given on Google out of 5 as out of 10 on the site without explaining the conversion method was deemed illegal.
📌 Penalty: 863,580 TL administrative fine
Message for brands:
If you have a rating system, clearly state its methodology. Transparency is no longer a choice, it's a necessity.
4. Campaign Ended, Price Unchanged: Not Deemed a Violation
Decision No: 2025/3646
A well-known shopping site's failure to change product prices despite the end of a campaign was not found to be illegal under current legislation.
Message for brands:
Price increases after every discount are not mandatory. However, campaign language should be clear and not misleading.
5. Exaggeration and Humor in Advertising: Free but Limited
Decision No: 2025/3639
The slogan "Close the Stone Age in Transportation" for a transportation vehicle was examined. It was assessed that the advertisement did not directly target a specific professional group or competitor, and remained within the limits of humor and exaggeration.
Message for brands:
Creativity is free; However, content that explicitly targets competitors, misleads consumers, or discredits professional groups is risky.
Strategic Outcomes from the 2025 Advertising Board Decisions
- Algorithmic systems must be auditable
- Comment and rating processes must be transparent
- Campaign communication must be clear and concise
- Humor should not turn into deception
Digital marketing is no longer just about algorithms and creative production; it also requires a legal compliance strategy.
At Maske Medya, we offer our brands not only visibility but also sustainable and legally compliant digital communication strategies.
