The Ad Review Workflow: The Last Gate Before Publishing

1. Draft: creator uses templates, attaching source notes (case authorization IDs, data sources).
2. Machine screen: blacklist scan (efficacy/absolute/comparative words) — hits must be fixed and resubmitted.
3. Human review: the compliance owner checks the checklist item by item (the no-go map).
4. Legal sampling: high-risk material (outcomes, campaigns) gets legal review; routine material sampled by ratio.
5. Archive: published version + review records filed — traceable to “who approved which version”.

• □ No efficacy promises or guarantee language
• □ No absolute claims or disparaging comparisons
• □ Case imagery authorized for this use
• □ Prices match reality (per pricing)
• □ Credentials stated accurately (no implied certifications not held)
• □ Platform-specific rules checked (the platform table)

Trend marketing is time-sensitive but standards aren’t skippable: compress the flow, not the criteria — fast lane = machine screen + one senior-compliance review + legal recheck within 24 h after posting. In retrospectives, “we used the fast lane” is no excuse, so monitor fast-lane frequency (routine urgency means the flow is badly designed).

Review too slow for trending moments?

Pre-review: predictable nodes (holidays, seasons) get batch-submitted early; sudden trends use pre-cleared safe templates (approved frames, swap the parameters).

Who may review?

Designated staff trained and internally certified in ad compliance; review permissions managed in-system like account permissions (a sister clause to the social media policy).

• Ad Rules
• Content Marketing
• Compliance