A great student quote can sell your course better than any headline you write. But even when the feedback is happy and true, you still need permission to share it in public.

Without clear consent, small things can turn into big headaches. A student may ask you to take it down later, their employer may object to a company name being used, or an ad platform may flag your campaign for using someone’s image without authorization. Even if you meant well, it can make you look careless with privacy.

This post gives you simple, copy and paste permission language for course testimonials, including names, photos, company info, screenshots, and ads. The goal is to help you share social proof while keeping trust intact and reducing legal and compliance risk.

What you need permission for using course testimonials (and what is usually safe)

A course testimonial is a student’s statement about their experience or results with your course. It might be a short quote, a video clip, a screenshot of a message, or a before and after story. That’s different from a general review left on a public site (like a marketplace or directory), where the platform’s terms may cover certain uses. Even then, re-posting a review on your sales page or in ads can still require permission because you’re using it in your own marketing context.

In practice, there are two buckets of permission you should think about:

• Permission to use someone’s content (their words, message, screenshot, video, or student work)
• Permission to use someone’s identity (their name, face, voice, username, company, logo, or other identifying details)

From a legal risk standpoint, identity is often the bigger issue. Using someone’s name or likeness to promote a business can trigger privacy and publicity rights concerns.

Paid ads also raise the bar because advertising rules require testimonials to be truthful and not misleading, and platforms may require you to confirm you have rights to use the image or video.

Here’s what commonly shows up in course reviews, and what typically needs a clear written yes:

• First name or full name
• Photo or headshot
• Video testimonial
• Audio or voice clip (voice is identifying)
• Job title
• Company name or company logo
• Social handle or profile link (also identifying)
• Before-and-after results (especially money, health, or sensitive outcomes)
• Screenshots of DMs, emails, community posts, or chat threads (screenshots often contain identifying information by accident)
• Screen recordings that show names, faces, private groups, or dashboards
• Student work (worksheets, designs, writing samples, code, slides)

One area that trips people up is editing. Using someone’s exact words is safest. Shortening for length is normal, but edits still need approval, because meaning can shift fast when you remove context. 

If you change words, combine sentences, or add brackets, show the final version before you publish. This is not just a relationship issue. It reduces the risk of a claim that you used their words in a misleading way.

The same goes for testimonials that include numbers (income, time saved, health changes, follower growth). If you share specific results, keep the wording accurate, get clear permission to use the numbers, and do not frame the outcome as typical unless you can support that.

Names and identity: first name, full name, username, and location

A first name only is often enough for credibility, and it’s easier on privacy. For many audiences, “Maya” plus a clear quote feels real without putting someone on display.

A full name can add trust, but it also raises the stakes. It makes the person easier to search, and it can connect the testimonial to their employer, clients, or online audience. The same goes for usernames and social handles. A handle might look harmless, but it points straight to a profile, and that’s strong identification.

A simple rule works well: if someone can be identified, get clear permission. That includes details like city, niche, and a unique story. “A nurse in Boise who runs a gluten-free bakery” might identify a real person in seconds.

Offer options so students stay in control. For example: first name only, initials, anonymous, or “first name + last initial.” You can also ask if they want their job title included without the company name.

Paid ads deserve a separate yes. A student might consent to “website and sales page” use, but not want their name, handle, or employer tied to an ad that can travel far beyond your audience. Give them a clear website vs ads choice and document their selection.

Extra caution: minors. If the student is under 18, don’t use their name, photo, or story without a parent or guardian’s written permission. If you aren’t sure, then don’t use the review.

Photos, videos, and audio: why a quick “yes” is not enough

When you use a student’s face or voice, you’re not only sharing a quote. You’re using their likeness. That’s where a basic “Sure, go ahead” can feel thin, because people often don’t picture how far content can travel.

Keep model release language simple and specific. Spell out:

• Where it will appear (sales page, checkout page, email, social posts, paid ads)
• How long you plan to use it (a time period, or until they ask you to remove it)
• How it may be edited (cropped, resized, captions added, audio trimmed)

Video and voice are identifying even without a name. Someone can recognize a person from a two-second clip. Also, a student may be comfortable with a website post but not comfortable being in ads. Ask about both.

Finally, save proof. Keep the original file they sent and the message where they approved it. A screenshot of the consent message is often enough for day-to-day business. The point is to be able to show what they agreed to, and when.

If a photo or video will be used in ads, say that up front. Platforms may ask you to confirm you have rights to use someone’s image, and students often have a different comfort level with ads than with a page on your site.

A simple release process that protects you and respects the student

You don’t need a complex system when collecting testimonials. You need a repeatable process that keeps permission clear and makes students feel safe.

Start with timing. Ask for student testimonials when they have a real win and the experience is fresh, like after a milestone, at course completion, or when they share an excited message in your community.

If you want to use the testimonial in ads, ask before you build the campaign. Ads add pressure and reach, so they deserve extra clarity.

You can use a workflow like this:

1. First, ask in a friendly way and make it easy to say no. People often agree because they don’t want to disappoint you. Your tone should remove that pressure.
2. Next, confirm the details. What exact quote are you using? Will you attach a name, photo, company, or screenshot? Where will it show up?
3. Then, get written consent. That can be a reply in email, a DM, or a form submission. Verbal okay on a Zoom call can be real, but it’s hard to prove later. Written consent is simpler for everyone.
4. After that, store the consent somewhere you can find it. A folder by student name, a CRM note, or a tagged form response works. Keep it as long as you use the testimonial, plus a little longer in case questions come up.
5. Finally, publish what they approved. If you edited the quote for length, send the final version first. That one small step prevents misunderstandings.

Two common questions come up here: incentives and comfort.

If you offer an incentive (discount, gift card, bonus, free access), be transparent. In the U.S., the FTC expects disclosure of “material connections” when they could affect how people evaluate an endorsement.

If the student received something in exchange for sharing feedback, disclose it near the testimonial, especially in ads. Also, avoid making the incentive feel tied to positive words.

Also, build comfort options into your process. Let students choose anonymous credit, skip photos, or approve only certain placements (website yes, ads no). Respect is the point, not paperwork.

The 5 details your permission message should always include

Your permission message doesn’t need legal jargon, but you want to be clear. Aim to include these five details every time:

1. Who is granting permission: Their name, and a clear statement that it’s their content and likeness.
2. What content you’ll use: The exact quote, plus any photo, video, audio, or screenshot.
3. Where it will be used: Website, sales pages, emails, social posts, webinars, and paid ads (be specific).
4. How long you’ll use it: A time period, or “until you ask us to remove it.”
5. How to request changes or removal: An email address or simple process, plus a realistic timeline.

Choices help here. People are more likely to say yes when they can control the level of exposure.

How to handle removal requests

At some point, someone may ask to remove their testimonial. They may have a new job, a privacy concern, or they may just feel different years later. Don’t treat it like a crisis.

First, confirm you’re speaking with the right person (especially if the request comes from a new email). Next, pause any paid ads that include their image or quote, if you can do it quickly. Then update the sales page and social posts you control.

If you promised “remove on request,” honor it fast. That promise is part of the consent.

Be honest about limits. You can’t pull back an email already sent, and you can’t control third-party shares. You can remove it from your site, stop using it going forward, and replace it with an anonymous version if they’re okay with that.

Give a clear timeline, like “We’ll remove it from the sales page today, and ads will stop within 24 hours.”

Copy and paste permission language for course testimonials (plus easy variations)

Good permission language feels like a polite text message, not a contract. It should be clear, specific, and easy to reply to. Below are templates you can use as written, then adjust to match your tone.

A quick tip before you send any template: include the exact quote you plan to publish. If you shorten it, send the edited version and ask them to approve that version, not the original.

Template: text quote with name options (no photo)

Hi [Name], your feedback made my day. Would you be okay with me using this as a course testimonial for the training?

Proposed quote (tell me if you want any wording changed): “[Paste the quote here]”

Where I’d share it: [sales page / website / email newsletter / social posts/paid ads].

How should I credit you? Please choose one:

• First name only (example: Maya)
• Full name (example: Maya Chen)
• First name + last initial (example: Maya C.)
• Initials only (example: M.C.)
• Anonymous (example: Course student)

If you approve, reply with: “I approve” and your credit choice. By approving, you’re confirming this quote reflects your real experience.

You can also approve this for website use only and opt out of paid ads.

If this looks good, reply with your selections.

Template: permission to use a photo, video, company name, or screenshot

Hi [Name], thanks again for sharing your results. I’d love to feature your learning experience as an online course testimonial, and I want to make sure you’re fully comfortable with what I share.

Here’s what I’d like permission to use (choose what’s okay):

Your words

• Your quote: “[…]”
• I can lightly edit for length (no change in meaning), and I’ll send the final version for approval

Your identity

• Name credit (pick one): [ ] first name only [ ] full name [ ] first name + last initial [ ] initials [ ] anonymous
• Job title: [Title]
• Company: [ ] company name [ ] company logo [ ] do not include company

Media

• Photo/headshot you provide
• Video testimonial you provide
• Audio/voice clip you provide
• Screenshot of: [DM/email/community post]. I’ll blur any private details we don’t need.

Where it may appear (choose):

• [ ] Website and sales pages
• [ ] Emails/newsletters
• [ ] Social posts
• [ ] Paid ads (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Google, etc.)

Formatting and edits

• You’re okay with basic formatting edits like cropping, resizing, adding captions, and trimming video for length (no change in meaning).

Timing and removal

• Use period: [ ] for 12 months [ ] until I’m asked to remove it
• If you want changes or removal later, email me at [email]. I’ll respond within [timeframe].

One more thing: if your employer has rules about using your company name or title, please get approval on your side first (or choose the “do not include company” option).

If this looks good, reply “YES” and paste your selections.

Conclusion for asking for student testimonials

Permission for course testimonials doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to know what needs consent (names, faces, company details, screenshots), follow a simple release process, and use plain language that gives students real choice.

Keep it human by asking clearly, make “no” easy, and save proof of consent. If you edit a quote, let them approve the final version. If someone wants it removed later, handle it fast and calmly.

Quick checklist you can screenshot:

• Ask
• Specify where it’ll be used
• Get a written yes
• Store the proof
• Approve any edits
• Be ready to remove

Ready to make sure the rest of your course marketing is compliant?

The best testimonials aren’t only persuasive, they’re built on trust.

Testimonials are just one piece of FTC compliance for course creators. If you’re running ads, making income claims, or promoting your course online, there are other rules you need to know—and most course creators don’t realize they’re at risk until it’s too late.

That’s why I created the Promotion Protection Sprint: a step-by-step guide to legally marketing your course without triggering FTC violations, ad account shutdowns, or legal complaints.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to use testimonials properly (including the exact disclaimers you need)
• What you can and can’t say in your marketing (especially around income and results claims)
• How to write FTC-compliant ad copy that still converts
• The disclaimers that actually protect you (and where to put them)