The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is extending its reach to monitor online advertising, it has emerged.

Under the new rules, all websites advertising products or services will have to be in compliance with the ASA or risk being suspended.

Furthermore, the organisation will have the power to ban misleading marketing statements on high-profile social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

The move comes after the ASA received more than 3,500 complaints last year, around half of which concerned online content and were therefore outside its previous remit.

However, as of one March 2011, online advertising will be subject to the same regulations as all other media.

"This is a massive step. Consumers don't differentiate between adverts on TV or online and this ensures that claims online will be subject to the same strict scrutiny of those in traditional media," an ASA spokesman commented.

After the deadline, the ASA will be able to remove any online ads – such as paid-for search advertising – which are found to be in breach of its regulations.

This article was brought to you by Newsvend – delivering online news, blogs and other unique content. Adding unique and relevant content is a key factor in search engine optimisation.