COVID-19 Claims Checklist for Political Merch and Ecommerce

Mine search terms, email replies, and social comments to find which pandemic-related narratives your audience actually debates. Prioritize themes with proven engagement to avoid dead inventory.

Review current rules for Shopify, payment processors, and ad networks regarding health claims. Build around documentation and commentary, not medical advice, so listings and ads do not get throttled or removed.

Define the exact moment being documented (date, location, medium) to reduce ambiguity. This anchors your receipts page and keeps the design from reading as a broad health assertion.

Ensure you can link to the original video or transcript and at least two reputable fact checks. If source density is thin, pick a different claim to avoid weak receipts that invite disputes.

Steer clear of words like cure, prevent, or treatment in product titles and art. Frame the piece as commentary with receipts so moderation systems are less likely to flag your listings.

Set a unique claim_id and maintain a changelog with source URLs and update dates. This lets you update receipts later without reprinting art, and helps with customer support.

Download the original video, transcript, or post and save hash-verified copies. Archive URLs with services like the Internet Archive to mitigate link rot.

Document the timecodes in video or paragraph numbers in transcripts so customers can jump directly to the moment. Include this metadata on your receipts landing page.

Link to coverage from established outlets that analyzed the same claim and provide methodological notes. This triangulation reduces chargebacks and support escalations.

Create a lightweight page listing primary sources and fact checks, tagged with UTM by SKU. Aim for sub-2 second load times to keep QR scans from bouncing.

Store media and text in a tamper-evident folder structure (e.g., S3) with SHA-256 hashes. This supports appeals if a platform challenges your documentation.

Have someone uninvolved try to debunk your selection and flag updates in public health guidance. If newer evidence reframes the issue, update the receipts page and product copy.

Use a custom domain shortlink with 301s and test scan-to-load under 200 ms on LTE. Avoid free link shorteners that can get blocked by campus or corporate networks.

Print a 1:1 proof and test with multiple phones at arm's length. Increase module size or error correction if dark fabric or textured surfaces reduce scan rates.

Check color contrast ratios and font weights against fabric colors. If the copy includes dates or a small source count badge, verify readability on heather and pigment-dyed blanks.

A small "3 sources" marker near the QR signals verification without legalistic copy. It boosts credibility and conversions without triggering ad filters.

Include a short note like "Documentation and commentary" on inserts or woven labels. This clarifies intent and can defuse payment disputes about health claims.

Outline fonts, embed color profiles, and deliver PDF/SVG with spot-color notes for screen printers. For POD, upload 300 DPI art with adequate quiet zones around QR codes.

Include dates, context, and link types without reproducing long quotations. Keep it scannable so customers understand the evidence before checkout.

Use neutral, commentary-focused language in ads, then expand context on the product page. This reduces ad disapprovals while preserving transparency for buyers.

Generate unique shortlinks per batch to track scans over time and detect printer issues. Tag with utm_sku and utm_batch for analytics dashboards.

Add schema markup indicating citations and references so search engines understand context. Do not mark it as medical advice; keep it as commentary with references.

Include a small card with the QR link, source count, and care instructions. Bundles increase AOV and help retailers display context on shelves.

Audit headlines, overlays, and alt text for medical terms that trigger filters. Save a checklist artifact per ad group to speed up appeals if needed.

Store screenshots of policy pages, ad approvals, and receipts URLs. Centralized documentation helps when an automated review flags your listing months later.

Review your processor's restricted content language and avoid medical efficacy claims. If needed, route higher-risk products through a gateway with clear approval.

Prefer text-only or original art rather than using third-party photos or logos. If you quote or reference media frames, confirm license or rely on unmistakable commentary use.

Ensure product copy sticks to verifiable facts and clearly labeled opinion. This reduces exposure when documenting contentious health-related statements.

Outline how you source, archive, and update receipts for pandemic-related claims. Link it in your footer and PDPs to build trust and help with moderation reviews.

Add a QR card that explains the claim's date and source count with a vanity URL fallback. This covers customers who cannot scan and supports in-store displays for wholesale.

Prepare a calm, link-first response that points to the receipts landing and primary sources. Keep responses short and avoid re-litigating science over email.

Check for 404s, moved videos, and throttled embeds, then update redirects. Broken receipts erode trust and create avoidable refunds.

Ask buyers if the sources were easy to access and understand. Use the feedback to adjust page layout and future designs.

Provide a concise explainer with QR, source list, and shelf-talkers that avoid medical language. This helps bookstores and gift shops sell confidently without training staff on the claim.