CMO · Checklist · Intermediate · Saves 25+ hours
Marketing Compliance Checklist
A comprehensive checklist for ensuring marketing activities comply with relevant regulations.
What's included
- Email compliance (CAN-SPAM, CASL)
- Privacy compliance (GDPR, CCPA)
- Advertising regulations
- Industry-specific requirements
- Documentation requirements
Best used when
- Launching new campaigns
- Entering new markets
- Annual compliance review
- Onboarding vendors
- Before major initiatives
The template
The Template
EMAIL COMPLIANCE
CAN-SPAM (US)
- Clear "From" name identifies sender
- Subject line is not deceptive
- Physical postal address included
- Unsubscribe link is visible and works
- Unsubscribe requests processed within 10 days
- No purchased email lists used
- Opt-outs honored across all lists
CASL (Canada)
- Express consent obtained (not assumed)
- Consent records stored and accessible
- Clear sender identification
- Contact information included
- Easy unsubscribe mechanism
- Consent expiration tracked (no contact in 2 years = expired)
General Email Best Practices
- Double opt-in implemented
- Preference center available
- Bounce handling automated
- Complaint rate monitored (<0.1%)
- Authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) configured
PRIVACY COMPLIANCE
GDPR (EU)
- Legal basis documented for each data use
- Privacy notice accessible and current
- Cookie consent obtained before tracking
- Data subject requests process defined
- Data retention schedule documented
- DPA agreements with all vendors
- Cross-border transfer mechanisms in place
- Records of processing activities maintained
CCPA (California)
- "Do Not Sell" link on website
- Privacy policy includes required disclosures
- Opt-out mechanism functional
- Consumer request process defined
- 12-month lookback capability
- Verification process for requests
- Service provider agreements updated
ADVERTISING COMPLIANCE
General Advertising
- Claims are truthful and substantiated
- Testimonials reflect typical results
- Required disclosures are clear and conspicuous
- Comparison claims are accurate and fair
- "Free" offers include all material terms
- Price advertising is accurate
Digital Advertising
- Ad content matches landing page
- Retargeting respects opt-outs
- Native ads clearly labeled
- Influencer partnerships disclosed (#ad, #sponsored)
- UTM parameters don't expose PII
- Pixel consent obtained
Platform-Specific
- Facebook/Meta: Ad policy compliance
- Google: Advertising policies compliance
- LinkedIn: Sponsored content guidelines
- Platform-specific ad libraries checked
ACCESSIBILITY COMPLIANCE
WCAG Requirements
- Alt text on all images
- Color contrast ratios met (4.5:1)
- Keyboard navigation functional
- Form labels properly associated
- Video captions provided
- PDF accessibility checked
DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
| Requirement | Location | Last Updated | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy policy | Website | ||
| Cookie policy | Website | ||
| Terms of service | Website | ||
| Email consent records | MAP | ||
| Vendor DPAs | Legal | ||
| ROPA | Legal | ||
| Marketing permissions | CRM |
ANNUAL REVIEW CHECKLIST
- Privacy policy reviewed and updated
- Consent mechanisms tested
- Vendor contracts reviewed
- Training completed for team
- Complaint log reviewed
- Data retention executed
- Process documentation current
Frequently asked questions
What is the Marketing Compliance Checklist?
A comprehensive checklist for ensuring marketing activities comply with relevant regulations.
Who is the Marketing Compliance Checklist for?
It is built for CMOs and their teams working on Marketing Operations. The AI coach adapts it to your company, stage, and goals.
How long does the Marketing Compliance Checklist take to use?
It saves roughly 25+ hours versus building from scratch. Our AI coach can tailor the checklist to your situation in minutes, then hand you a step-by-step plan.
Is the Marketing Compliance Checklist free?
Yes. You can read the full checklist and start getting coached through it for free. Sign in to save your tailored version and track your next steps.
How does the AI coach help with the Marketing Compliance Checklist?
The coach teaches you the framework, asks a few questions about your business, tailors the checklist to you, and gives you measurable next steps to execute.