With Ad Restrictions around the Corner, Here is how Local Marketing will Lead the Way

When new legislation impacts how your business can advertise, the first question to ask yourself should be: How do we keep reaching out to customers? With the UK government’s introduction of a 24/7 ban on paid online advertising for “less healthy” HFSS (high fat, salt, sugar) products, set to become legally enforceable from January 5 2025, many brands are reassessing their digital presence. For multi-location brands, this new challenge is even greater: How does one stay visible in local markets without paid advertising?

At SocioLocal, this new challenge is seen as a moment to reframe, not retreat. A pathway to doing local marketing the way it should be, offering a scalable, compliant and community-driven solution to maintaining customer visibility. 

“Marketing is no longer about selling products. It’s about creating value through trust and local connection.” - Mark Ristson, UK marketing professor and columnist

What’s changing? 

To understand the significance of the new legislation in 2026, let’s begin by revisiting the UK’s first step toward restricting HFSS advertising. The Ofcom TV advertising rules, introduced in 2007, prohibited HFSS ads during and around programmes with a high number of child viewers. As a result of this implementation, children’s exposure to HFSS advertising was reduced by around 37% between 2005 and 2009. While signs of concern were initially addressed in the industry, the legislation helped shape long-term responsibility around child-directed marketing. 

With the success of the 2007 Ofcom policy, it signals that HFSS ad restrictions will likely continue to expand: geographically, platform-wise and in enforcement of power. For multi-location brands, the message is clear: local, organic and complaint content isn’t a fallback; it’s the foundation for forward thinking marketing. 

For the last number of years, multi-location brands have relied heavily on paid online advertising in order to promote their products and to stay competitive in the market. In an effort to address the ongoing childhood obesity crisis, from January 2026 (with voluntary compliance beginning in October 2025), HFSS product ads are set to be banned across television and online platforms. This applies to the following: 

• Paid HFSS ads will be banned online at all times, including paid social media, search engine advertising and programmatic display ads. 
• HFSS advertising on TV will be restricted to post-9pm, blocking brands from targeting family and youth audiences during the day and early evening. 
• Any advertiser targeting the UK audiences, regardless of where the business is based. 
• Enforcement will extend across search engines, social media platforms and regulated video services (ODPS).

The overall impact is significant for the future of many brands, as this new legislation allows for fewer opportunities to promote key products. While organic content is still allowed, what you post and how you frame it will matter more than ever. This change not only forces a shift in campaign strategy but could also inspire other governments around the world to adopt similar public health measures. 

One grey area brands often overlook is influencer marketing. While unpaid organic posts might not be banned, any paid partnership promoting HFSS products will be subject to removal. This includes influencer collaborations, branded content and ambassador programmes. Therefore, in order to stay compliant, brands must: 

• Conduct due diligence on influencer contracts
• Set clear posting guidelines 
• Monitor content messaging

With SocioLocal, overcoming this barrier becomes possible: let your local teams become your most trusted ambassadors. With the correct tools and content, brands can engage their communities safely and authentically. 

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Enforcing New Legislation 

While regulators aren’t the only players responsible for enforcement, major digital platforms such as Meta, Google, and TikTok are already leveraging AI to identify non-compliant content. These tools can recognise specific products that fall under the HFSS category: 

• Imagery and logos related to restricted HFSS products 
• Targeting setting (e.g. under-16 audience) 
• Time-of-day rules (i.e. ads scheduled before 9pm) 

With that said, what does this mean for your brand? Even organic posts that are boosted or mislabeled could be taken down automatically. For example, let’s say your store in York runs a weekend meal deal and shares a colourful, friendly image of the combo on Instagram: 

“Big bites. Small price. All weekend. Spoil your tastebuds, your treat awaits! 🍔🍟🥤”

If this post is boosted or uses promotion-oriented tags, it could be flagged for HFSS content. What started as a local post could result in platform restrictions or even worse, reputational risk. At this point, structured and compliant local marketing isn’t just helpful, it’s essential! 

Why SocioLocal is your ANSWER! 

SocioLocal was designed to give multi-location brands the structure, safety and scalability they need in order to manage digital content across multiple locations. Here’s how Socio can help your brand adapt: 

• Control at scale: Centrally manage compliant content libraries that reflect your brand tone and meet HFSS regulations. With this, each location uses the right assets with the right message. 
• Localisation without risk: Enable local teams to personalise content using pre-approved templates and dynamic text fields without having the need to alter the compliance-approved core messaging or visuals. 
• Real-time monitoring and reporting: Track where, when and what is being posted. Spot content at-risk instantly. 
• Shift towards organic promotions: Community storytelling, local event promotion and brand-only campaigns can go a long way with the right strategy in place. 

With SocioLocal, a brand can stay compliant without slowing down. Local engagement made simple, safe and scalable. 

Compliance as a Springboard, not a Setback

Digital engagement doesn’t just stop here with the introduction of new legislation; it means it’s shifting. From paid to organic. From national to local. From risky to strategic. 

Instead of reacting to regulations, SocioLocal helps brands take control, allowing them to build a safer, more strategic approach to local marketing. One that scales. One that connects. One that wins.

“The brands that win are the ones that adapt fast, stay trusted and stay close to the customer” - Mark Ritson 

Discover how SocioConnect helps your local marketing reach new heights and create bustling online communities. Book in a call if you'd like more information.

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