Nearly 1 in 5 creators: brands asked to hide paid partnerships (SheSpeaks).
The study flags requests to skip or soften #ad and paid-partnership labels. Clear disclosures tell audiences when a creator has a commercial relationship, helping viewers evaluate recommendations with the right context.
Hidden sponsorships can damage trust when people cannot tell whether a recommendation is independent. Transparent labels also help platforms, brands, and creators meet advertising expectations while keeping commercial storytelling honest.
Cover: AI illustration of SheSpeaks founder Aliza Freud. Other slides: illustrative graphics, not study screenshots. Read the full verified iShook Daily report for methodology and context: https://ishookdaily.com/influencer-brands-skip-ad-disclosure-shespeaks-study-september-2026