BC Ad Compliance Checker
Paste your Instagram caption, bio, flyer, or website copy and get it checked against BCFSA and CREA advertising rules — with a letter grade and specific fixes. Free, instant, and nothing leaves your browser.
Used to check the BCFSA brokerage-prominence rule.
Checked against BCFSA team-naming rules.
Private — your ad is checked on your device, never uploaded.
Flags for review — not legal advice. This tool checks pasted text against common issues drawn from public BCFSA and CREA guidance. It is not a BCFSA ruling, it cannot verify claims, images, layout, or context, and passing it does not certify an ad as compliant. When in doubt, ask your managing broker.
Sources: BCFSA teams & advertising guidelines · BCFSA advertising penalties (2025) · CREA REALTOR® trademark rules
BC agents are being fined for everyday marketing
Advertising compliance in BC is not theoretical. In 2025, BCFSA publicly penalized licensees thousands of dollars each over Instagram and Facebook marketing — unqualified “top agent” claims and social profiles missing the brokerage name. One licensee paid extra for taking too long to fix it. The rules apply to every ad you run: posts, bios, flyers, bus benches, and your website.
What the checker looks for
The checker scans your text against the advertising issues that actually come up in BC: brokerage-name presence and prominence (footer-only doesn’t cut it), unqualified award and ranking claims (“#1 agent”, “top 1%”, “award-winning” with no visible qualification), REALTOR® trademark usage (all caps, with the ®), and fair-housing phrasing that targets people instead of describing the property. Enter your team name and it’s checked against BCFSA team-naming rules too (“Realty” must be followed by “Team” or “Group”).
Each flag comes with a suggested fix, and the overall result is graded A through F so you can see at a glance how an ad stacks up.
Private by design — nothing leaves your device
Your marketing is your business. The checker runs entirely in your browser — the ad text and names you enter are never uploaded to Omidia or any third party, and there is no account, email, or sign-up involved.
Flags for review — not legal advice
The checker is a fast first pass drawn from public BCFSA and CREA guidance, not a compliance ruling. It can’t see your images, layout, or context, and it can’t verify whether a claim is true. Treat every flag as something to review with your managing broker — and when in doubt, ask before you post.
Frequently asked questions
Can BCFSA really fine me for an Instagram post?+
Yes. In April 2025 BCFSA penalized four licensees between $4,000 and $6,250 each for advertising violations on Instagram and Facebook — including unqualified "top agent" claims and profiles missing the brokerage name. BCFSA’s administrative penalty authority goes up to $100,000 per contravention.
What does "prominently displayed" mean for my brokerage name?+
BCFSA requires the name of your brokerage to be prominently displayed in all real estate advertising — and its guidance explicitly says a small-type mention at the bottom of an ad is not sufficient. The brokerage name should be clearly visible, not buried in a footer.
What are the rules for real estate team names in BC?+
Team names must be approved by BCFSA. If a team name includes the word "Realty", BCFSA requires it to be immediately followed by "Team" or "Group" so the public doesn’t mistake the team for a brokerage.
How am I supposed to write REALTOR® correctly?+
REALTOR® is a trademark of CREA that identifies members. It should appear in all capital letters with the registered trademark symbol — REALTOR® or REALTORS®. Lowercase or unmarked usage is a trademark misuse that CREA can require you to correct.
What fair-housing language should I avoid in listing ads?+
Describe the property, not the intended occupant. Phrases like "perfect for families", "ideal for retirees", or references to ethnicity or religious landmarks can imply a preference for (or exclusion of) protected groups. Attribute language — "three bedrooms plus a flex room", "single-level layout" — says the same thing safely.
Is this tool legal advice?+
No. The checker flags common issues for your review against public BCFSA and CREA guidance. It is not legal advice, not a BCFSA ruling, and it cannot verify claims, images, or context. Always confirm with your managing broker or a lawyer licensed in British Columbia.
Does my ad text get uploaded anywhere?+
No. The check runs entirely in your browser, on your own device. Your ad text, brokerage name, and team name are never uploaded to Omidia or any server.
Is the BC Ad Compliance Checker really free?+
Yes — completely free, no sign-up and no email required. Paste your ad, get your grade.