Q2 2023: a visual guide to ASA rulings

Have a look at our latest advertising infographics summarising key aspects of ASA decisions for the quarter (16 February 2023 to 16 May 2023). 

This quarter saw a comparable number of rulings published compared to the last quarter (64 rulings this and 65 rulings last). There have been fewer complaints this quarter (145 complaints, compared with 266 in the last quarter) resulting in 2.27 complaints per ruling (compared to 4.09 in the last quarter). 81% of rulings were upheld in full (compared with 88% in the last quarter), though a higher proportion of rulings have been partially upheld (13% compared with 8% in the last quarter).

There has been a slight increase in the average number of days between publication of the adverts and the date of the decision (195 days, compared to 174 in the previous quarter), though this may be affected by the ASA's republication of three rulings.

Although consumers still make up the majority of complainants (51%, compared to 63% in the last quarter), there has been an increase in complaints from the ASA itself (30%, compared to 17% in the last quarter). Medical procedures and services, health conditions, medicines, remedies and therapies were the most commonly cited issues this quarter, most of which appeared on the internet or social media. 

Headlines 

• No. of rulings: 64

• No. of complaints (leading to a ruling*): 145 

• Average no. of complaints per ruling: 2.27

• Average no. days between publication of ad and ruling: 195 

Most complained about:

• Sophie Hinchliffe t/a Mrs Hinch (15 March 2023): 34 complaints 

• Ann Summers Ltd (12 April 2023): 19 complaints. 

Outcome of rulings

Type of complainant

Topic

Issue

Media type

*An additional 124 complaints were informally resolved but, as details are not published, these are not included in any of our figures.