# Proof-of-Delivery Checklist (Sponsored Posts) Printable checklist. ~3 minutes per post if you have it, ~20 minutes if you don't (because you forget steps and backtrack). Use this every time, on every deal, no exceptions. Pairs with the post: *The proof-of-delivery checklist for sponsored posts* → https://collabbook.co/blog/the-proof-of-delivery-checklist-for-sponsored-posts/ — Dorcas Faleti, CollabBook --- ## DEAL HEADER - **Brand:** ____________________ - **Creator handle:** ____________________ - **Platform:** [ ] Instagram [ ] TikTok [ ] YouTube [ ] Other: ____________________ - **Deal value:** $______ USD, in escrow - **Briefed publish window:** ____________________ - **Actual post timestamp:** ____________________ - **Reviewer (you):** ____________________ --- ## STEP 1, The Live URL (as a URL, not an image) - [ ] Canonical permalink captured (e.g., `instagram.com/reel/...`, `tiktok.com/@handle/video/...`, `youtube.com/shorts/...`) - [ ] URL stored in your system of record (Stripe metadata, Notion, Sheet, anywhere persistent) - [ ] URL opens in incognito to verify public accessibility (no private-account or shadow-ban edge cases) **Live URL:** ____________________________________________ Why this matters: a URL is verifiable today, tomorrow, and 30 days from now. A screenshot is verifiable only the moment it was taken. If the post quietly comes down, the URL 404s, and you know within your next verification cycle. --- ## STEP 2, Disclosure Verification (2 places, mobile, expanded view) - [ ] **Platform branded-content tool / paid-partnership tag** is visible at the top of the post, naming your brand correctly - [ ] **#ad is in the caption**, first 1–2 lines, NOT buried after other hashtags or at position 17 - [ ] Screenshot saved: the **expanded caption view** on mobile (airplane mode if possible, to keep recommendation-engine UI out of frame) - [ ] On Instagram → after the "more" tap. On TikTok → full caption modal. Both should clearly show banner + #ad. **Disclosure screenshot file:** ____________________ If either signal is missing → **do not release payment.** This is the line in your contract that says "Brand will not release final payment until disclosure is confirmed." Use it. Creators fix disclosure issues in roughly 5 minutes when asked. --- ## STEP 3, Creative-Element Check (against the brief, line by line) Pull up the original brief. Score each line yes/no. - [ ] Product shown on-camera within the briefed window (e.g., first 5 seconds)? - [ ] Discount code visible on-screen as text overlay (not only spoken)? - [ ] Caption mentions the code in plain text (so it's searchable)? - [ ] Link in bio updated to your landing page? - [ ] All prohibited elements absent (no competitor mentions, no unauthorized claims, no off-brand audio)? - [ ] If whitelisting is in scope: audio is licensed / original / safe for paid use (NOT a copyrighted trending audio)? The most common failure here in 2026: creators use a trending audio you didn't authorize for whitelisting. The post performs organically, but you cannot legally run it as a paid ad. Catch it at proof of delivery, not after you've already approved a $3K boost. --- ## STEP 4, The T+24 Hour "Still Live" Verification Set a calendar reminder for **exactly 24 hours after the post went live.** Re-open the URL and verify: - [ ] Post is still publicly accessible (not archived, not deleted, not restricted) - [ ] Disclosure is still in place (caption not edited, branded-content tag not removed) - [ ] View count is incrementing (not stuck at 0, would suggest shadow-ban or private-account issue) **T+24 screenshot file:** ____________________ This is the step almost no brand runs. It is also the step that catches the most problems. Quiet caption edits and accidental takedowns mostly happen in the first day, after the creator has read the comments and decided to "clean up" something. If a post makes it past 24 hours intact, it usually stays intact. **Automate this if you can:** a simple cron-checked HTTP GET that flags any deal URL returning 404 or "this content isn't available" is one of the highest-ROI pieces of infrastructure a small brand can build (or buy from us). --- ## STEP 5, Stories + Highlights (separate verification, easy to forget) If the brief included Stories or a Highlight: - [ ] Live Story URL captured while in the 24-hour Stories window - [ ] Link sticker on Story resolves to your landing page (test it) - [ ] Story screenshot saved - [ ] Highlight pinned with the agreed name - [ ] Stories within Highlight are in the correct order - [ ] Highlight cover image matches what was briefed **Story / Highlight notes:** ____________________________________________ The number of times Stories get forgotten in proof-of-delivery because the reviewer was looking at the Reel, genuinely surprising. Use the checklist. Don't rely on memory. --- ## STEP 6, Tracking-Mechanism Live-Fire Test (30 seconds) Actually use the link, actually try the code. - [ ] Open link-in-bio on phone, **private browsing window** - [ ] Confirm UTM resolves to your landing page with expected parameters - [ ] Add product to cart, apply discount code at checkout - [ ] Confirm code is active, discount applies, expiration date is correct **Live-fire test result:** [ ] PASS [ ] FAIL, notes: ____________________ Two-thirds of "the post didn't drive sales" complaints I get pulled into turn out to be a broken UTM or a code that expired one day before the post went live. Catch it day one, not day 14 when your attribution report makes no sense. --- ## RELEASE DECISION - [ ] **All 6 steps passed → release escrow funds to creator.** - [ ] **Any step failed → message creator with the specific fix needed. Re-verify when resolved. Do not release until all 6 pass.** --- ## VERIFICATION BUNDLE (the artifact you keep for 3 years) Store all of the following in one folder per deal: - [ ] The live URL (Step 1) - [ ] Two timestamped screenshots from Step 2 (post itself + expanded caption with disclosure visible) - [ ] Screenshot from the T+24 check (Step 4) - [ ] Story / Highlight verification artifacts if applicable (Step 5) - [ ] Note confirming live-fire test passed (Step 6) - [ ] Payout reference / receipt - [ ] Signed contract for the deal **Retention:** Keep for 3 years. Why 3 years: the FTC's statute of limitations on unfair practices is 3 years. Most platform-side disputes resolve in 6 months. Three years covers both with margin. Cheapest insurance you'll ever buy. --- ## Reviewer sign-off - **Reviewer name:** ____________________ - **Date / time of verification pass:** ____________________ - **Release approved:** [ ] Yes [ ] No, see notes above --- ## Related templates in this series - Micro-Influencer Discovery Toolkit → /blog/downloads/micro-influencer-discovery-toolkit.md - One-page Creator Brief Template → /blog/downloads/one-page-creator-brief-template.md - Two-page Creator Contract Template → /blog/downloads/two-page-creator-contract-template.md - Escrow vs. Deposit Calculator → /blog/downloads/escrow-vs-deposit-calculator.md - Creator Roster 2x2 Tracker → /blog/downloads/creator-roster-2x2-tracker.md If you want disclosure-confirmation gating the escrow release, automated T+24 still-live checks, and the verification bundle generated for you per deal, [join the CollabBook beta](https://collabbook.co/#waitlist).