Testimonials That Won’t Get You Banned: How to Write Social Proof Within Policy

Ana Beatriz Castro · 2026-10-07

Building social proof is essential for increasing the credibility of products and services, especially in e-commerce. However, you need to be careful with platform guidelines to avoid getting blocked. Here are a few tips for creating testimonials that comply with policies without compromising their effectiveness.

Individual results vary

It’s essential to make it clear that results can differ from person to person. Use phrases like "Some users have reported positive results" or "Results may vary depending on each customer’s profile." This helps maintain transparency and avoid exaggerated claims that could get you banned.

Name and city

Including the testimonial giver’s name and city can add authenticity, but it’s important to get their permission first. Use a format like “João Silva, São Paulo” or “Maria Oliveira, Rio de Janeiro” to add credibility. Remember that customer privacy must be respected; if you can’t use their real name, use a pseudonym.

Avoid absolute numbers

Testimonials that use absolute numbers, like "I lost 10 kilos in one week," are risky and may be considered misleading by platforms. Use subtler wording instead, such as “many people noticed a significant improvement in their well-being” or “some users mentioned losing weight over time.” This helps keep the message positive without breaking the rules.

Format

The testimonial format should be clear and easy to read. A good structure is to use short, direct sentences focused on the user’s experience. Include elements like:

• Testimonial giver’s name
• Location
• Brief description of the experience
• General results (no absolute numbers)

Examples

1. “My name is Lucas, and I’m from Curitiba. I started using the product a month ago and have already noticed a difference in my energy. Some friends have also noticed that I’m more active.”

1. “I’m Ana, from Belo Horizonte. I believe changing my habits helped me a lot. I’ve noticed an improvement in my focus and energy, and that’s been really good for my day-to-day life.”

1. “Ricardo, from Porto Alegre, shares: ‘Since using the product, I’ve noticed an improvement in the quality of my sleep. It’s interesting how small changes can make a difference.’”

With these points in mind, you can create testimonials that comply with platform policies while still getting your message across.

How many testimonials have you been able to collect by following these guidelines?