With the rise of the prosumer, there is a growing demand for brand transparency tools that can help consumers make informed decisions when shopping for new products. Whether it is chemical-free cosmetics or ethically sourced clothing, consumers are increasingly interested in learning more about products before they buy.
One of the main ways that consumers are gathering information about products is through crowdsourcing. For example, Project JUST uses crowdsourced information to help consumers learn more about where their clothing is made. Similarly, the product feedback platform Sprint allows users to access video product reviews made by other consumers.
Beyond crowdsourced information, there are several examples of brand transparency tools created by companies themselves. For instance, David's Tea offers information about the geographic origin of its products, as well as specific details about the farms and families the company works with. Zady has taken a similar approach by including infographics about how its products are made directly on its packaging. These efforts are designed to help educate consumers and increase overall brand engagement.
20 Brand Transparency Tools
From Social Boycotting Apps to Story-Focused Recommendation Platforms:
Katherine Pendrill — Apr 12, 2016 — Marketing
20
Brand Transparency Packaging
'Zady' Explains Its Sustainable Production Processes on Its Packaging
19
Grocery-Rating Applications
The HowGood Mobile App Makes Ethical Food Shopping More Efficient
18
Product Review Social Platforms
Kit Lets Consumers Share Product Reviews and Make Informed Choices
17
Sustainability-Tracking Tools
Supply Change is Monitoring Deforestation in Business Supply Chains
16
Crowdsourced Ethical Fashion Projects
Project JUST Demands Transparent Clothing Purchases
15
Story-Focused Recommendation Platforms
Listory Lets You Curate Product Collections With Reviews
14
Recognition Product Apps
Shazam is Moving into the Retail Space to Help Discover Physical Objects
13
Rental Transparency Platforms
TranspaRENT Aims to Protect Renters Against Stressful Scams
12
Cosmetic Tracking Apps
The Stash Beauty Shopping App Alerts You to When Products are On Sale
11
Transparent Auto Sale Services
'Auto Craver' Improves the Process of Buying and Selling Cars
10
Ethical Eatery Apps
The Greenease App Lists Sustainable Restaurants for Eco-Conscious Consumers
9
Social Boycotting Apps
This App Makes It Easier for Consumers to Support Ethical Campaigns
8
Video Product Feedback Platforms
dscout Sprint Gets Company Video Feedback on New Products
7
Traceable French Fry Initiatives
The Trace My Fries Website Provides Product Origin Information
6
Repair-Monitoring Apps
The OpenbayASP Platform Helps Drivers Keep Track of Tune-Ups Efficiently
5
B2B Service Reviews
CrowdReviews is a Platform for Reviews of Businesses and Their Products
4
Originating Produce Platforms
The OriginTrail App Traces Where Store-Bought Food Comes From
3
Transparency-Encouraging Marketing
Everlane's Brand Ambassadors Instagram Interacts with Customers
2
Geographical Tea Branding
David's Tea Products Boast Region and Harvesting Info When Purchased
1
Informatively Immersive Car Showrooms
These BMW Product Geniuses are Helping Inform Car Shoppers
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Sustainable Clothing Boutiques
Moeon Berlin is a Shop Stocking Only Ethically Produced Collections
Temporary Door Locks
The 'Easylock' is a Convenient Security Solution for Travelers and Renters
Contemporary Canine Accessories
These Modern Pet Products are Mean to Complement Minimalist Homes
Flawless Replica Cars
The Playmobil Porsche 911 Carrera Model is Magnificently Realistic
Social Media-Cast Ads
This Marc Jacobs Campaign Cast Its Models Using Instagram and a Hashtag
Shopping Survey Tablets
Co-operative Food's Smart Shopping Cart Asks Customers for Feedback
Accurate Alcoholic Captions
These Honest Alcohol Labels Show How Bottles Should Really be Marketed
Social Media-Reserving Car Purchases
The BMW M5 Instagram Promotion Provides Real-Time Buyers Info
Storytelling Social Campaigns
Gap's Instagram Video Marketing Campaign is Short, Sweet & Strange
Social Fashion Lookbooks
Aritzia's Fall for Us Instagram Campaign Features Candid Celeb Shots
Shoppable Interior Design Apps
This Inspiration Platform Allows Users to Purchase What They See
Portable Recovery Snacks
FITAID Fuel Pouches Provide Complete On-the-Go Nutrition
Single-Stitched Tees
This Company Specializes in Making Low-Impact Clothing
Data-Driven Loyalty Apps
7-Eleven's New Loyalty Platform Trades Free Drinks for Insightful Data
High Speed Clothing Deliveries
This Fashion Label is Launching 1 Hour Delivery in San Francisco
Sales-Driving E-Commerce Platforms
MyRealKarma Focuses on Helping Other Companies Make More Sales
Pro-Bono Puppy Services
Free Puppies Forever Helps Raise Dogs for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia
Gourmet Dealership Cafes
This Cafe is Located Inside the Big Two Toyota Dealership
Grocery-Rating Applications
The HowGood Mobile App Makes Ethical Food Shopping More Efficient
Household Advisor Apps
The Fountain App's Experts Assist Homeowners with DIY Projects
Yogurt-Based Coffee Drinks
The New Frosted Coffee from Chick-fil-A is Made with Frozen Yogurt
Millennial Cause Posters
Patagonia's Vote the Environment Campaign Speaks to Younger Generations
Tiki-Themed Pop-Ups
'The Coconut Club' is a Theatrical Tiki-Themed Pop-Up Restaurant
Vibrant Organic Taquerias
Poppo's Taqueria is an All-Natural Mexican Food Restaurant in Florida
VR Dealership Showrooms
The Audi Virtual Showroom was Showcased by the Brand at CES 2016
Live Broadcasting Apps
Stre.am Combines Chat Messaging and Livestreaming Content
Vegetable-Celebrating Menus
The ' La Bauhinia' Restaurant Now Serves '100% Green Dinners'
Product Recommendation Marketplaces
Startup Shelf Helps You Discover Products People Like and Use
Local Business-Encouraging Apps
The Ufficient App Consists of a Directory and Request Engine
Product Review Social Platforms
Kit Lets Consumers Share Product Reviews and Make Informed Choices
Child Labor-Reducing Software
Made in a Free World's FRDM Helps Establish an Ethical Supply Chain
Incentivized Fashion Apps
Tagspire Gives You Money When People Purchase the Products You Post
Farm Fresh Handbags
Marlow Goods is a Farm to Table Fashion Label That's Extremely Locally Sourced
Sumptuous Vegan Tea Services
This Afternoon Tea at the Shangri-La Paris is 100% Animal-Free
Ethical Shopping Apps
Glia Enables Conscious Consumerism by Matching You with Moral Retail Options
Intuitive Car Systems
'Toyota Connected' is a Vision for Cars of the Future Created with Microsoft
Story-Focused Recommendation Platforms
Listory Lets You Curate Product Collections With Reviews
Temporary Streaming Apps
The Meerkat App Brings Live-Streaming Video to Twitter
Ethical Fashion Apps
Good On You Shows Socially Conscious Fashion Ratings For Your Favorite Brands
Ethical Fashion Bloggers
This Blog Champions Sustainable Fashion and Ethical Manufacturing
Charitable Consumerism Campaigns
Everlane's Black Friday Fund Promotes Radical Retail Transparency
Car Shopping Quizzes
TMatch Narrows Down Choices When Purchasing a Vehicle
Social P2P Marketplaces
'Shopee' is a Mobile P2P Marketplace That Can Import Photos from Instagram
On-Call Mechanic Services
YourMechanic Brings the Repair Shop to a Driver's Home or Office
Crowdsourced Reward Apps
MoPals' Rewards App Provides Incentives to Share Photos, Reviews & Posts
Apartment-Finding Apps
This App Makes It Easier to Rent an Apartment by Cutting Out the Middleman
Color-Matching Makeup Apps
The ShadeScout App Helps You Find That Perfect Colored Product
Revamped Mobile Payment Apps
PayPal's Latest Technology Plans to Supports Smaller Business Models
Astronaut App Competition
This NASA Contest Challenges You to Make a Smartwatch App for Astronauts
Luxurious Shopping Apps
The Barneys New York App Makes the Luxury Shopping Experience Portable
Ethical Tapas
Poco Bristol is a Restaurant Offering Seasonal and Sustainable Food
Personalized Blog Tools
Collections Gives Recommendations Through Online Inspiration Boards
Upcycled Eco-Friendly Denim
This Fast Fashion Retailer is Turning Unwanted Clothes into New Pieces
Seaweed Pasta Alternatives
Seamore's I Sea Pasta is Made Entirely Out of Sustainable Seaweed
Favored Fashion Platforms
The Wantering App Helps You Shop Only What's Popular
Workspace-Finding Apps
This Program Helps Users Find and Review Co-Working Spaces
Collectible Feline Figurines
These Hello Kitty McDonald's Toys Were Launched in Singapore Stores
Product Feedback Stores
Millennial Consumers Pay for Products with Opinions at 'SamplingLab'
Ethical Eatery Apps
The Greenease App Lists Sustainable Restaurants for Eco-Conscious Consumers
Interactive Dealership Guides
Parkers' Car Buyer's Guide Explains Showrooms, Test Drives and More
Indoor Mapping Apps
The 'Here Mobile SDK' App Helps You Find Your Way Indoors
One-Click Dealership Services
Drive Motors Lets People Buy Cars Online from Dealerships
Social Boycotting Apps
This App Makes It Easier for Consumers to Support Ethical Campaigns
Video Product Feedback Platforms
dscout Sprint Gets Company Video Feedback on New Products
Fitness-Tracking Wheelchairs
The Freewheel Wheelchair Keeps Tabs on Your Physical Activity
Curated Television Channels
Canadian Startup Playku.TV Lets You Build Your Own Online TV Channel
Sustainable Retail Apps
ClimateCounts is the Shopping Application for Socially Conscious Consumers
Guided Shopping Apps
This App Provides Shoppers with a Dedicated Brand Sherpa
International Student Housing Sites
'Nestpick' Matches Students with Their European Homes
Tamper-Sensing Alarm Systems
The Elephant Door Smart Alarm System Alerts You Before a Break in
Social Media Food Reviews
This App Helps Users Create Food Reviews to Share on Instagram
Data-Yielding Space Apps
The NASA Asteroid Hunter App is for the Citizen Scientist
Idea Catalog Boutiques
Pinterest Now Has Buyable Pins and Its Own Online Store
Technical Support Chat Apps
Xprt Offers Expert Advice and Free Tech Support via Text Messaging
Geotagged Wishlist Apps
Wisher Uses Beacon Technology to Help You Find Your Friends Gifts
Political Food Apps
BuyPartisan Shows the Political Support Food Brands Provide
Rapid Real Estate Apps
The QuickBids App Lets Millennial Buyers Close the Deal Quickly
Travel Recommendation Coasters
Star Alliance's #irecommend Helps Guests Find Others' Favorites
Sustainable Shopping Apps
Orange Harp is an Exclusively Eco-Friendly Shopping Platform
Vegan Burrito Campaigns
Chipotle is Offering Free Burritos as Part of a One-Day Promotion
Mobile Meal-Sharing Communities
A Dinner Party App Brings Neighbors Together for Home-Cooked Food
Interactive Produce Stations
Hakuhodo's Talking Food Prototype Lets Farmers Chat with Consumers
Tailored Music Apps
StubHub Music's Latest Update Brings Customization with Spotify Integration
Startup-Assisting Startups
Houston Helps Startups Launch Confidently by Focusing on Early Adaptors
Online Apartment Rental Platforms
This Website Facilitates Group Apartment Rentals Online
Collaborative Microblogging Features
The Tumblr App Lets Users Purchase, Pledge and Get Involved
Workplace Visual Networks
The Kontor Network Aids in the Conversation of Office Design
Feminist Workplace Reviews
Crowdsourced Site InHerSight Wants to Eradicate Sexism in the Workplace
On-Demand Repair Services
'GoBumpr' is a Vehicle Repair Service for Motorbikes and Cars
Charitable Travel Platforms
Bedforest is an Online Booking Service That Fuses Travel and Charity
Data Publishing Platforms
DataPress Transforms Information for Those Without Technical Knowledge
Car Trunk Package Deliveries
'Connect Easy' Envisions DHL Packages Delivered To Your Audi's Trunk
Automated Review Verification Systems
Amazon is Fighting Fake Reviews with Artificial Intelligence
Aggregated Approval Apps
Starlike Combines Likes from All Social Networks into a Single App
Valet Parking Apps
The Tesla Luxe Partnership Provides Premium Parking for Electric Car Owners
Lie-Detecting Test Drives
Smart Has People Test Drive a Vehicle While Taking a Lie Detector Test
Anti-Pesticide Food Ads
Only Organic's New Mac Donald Campaign Encourages Safe Farming
Scheduled Valet Services
The 'Valet Anywhere' App Helps Users Avoid the Stress of Finding Parking
Micro-Survey Software
This Startup Survey Service Makes Collecting and Contributing Data Quicker
Local Food Initiatives
Foodland Ontario's Website Proves Why Buying Local is a Smart Choice
Inspiring Influencer Webisodes
Westjet's Above and Beyond Series Highlights Inspiring Individuals
Renter Tattletale Services
Building Snitch Helps Landlords Uncover Illegal Rentals on Airbnb
Dealership Spa Services
This Hyundai Dealership Offers Free Massages and Manicures
Digitized Car Dealerships
This Projected Window Display is Created for German Auto Brand BMW
Social Media PR Stunts
The Tinder Twitter Rant Was a Message-Owning PR Stunt
Randomized Daily Messages
The Shower Text App by Reddit Sends You Fun Arbitrary Texts
Real Renter Review Platforms
Swapt Offers Apartment Review and Opinions From Previous Tenants
On-Demand Valet Apps
The 'Vallie' App Enables London Drivers to Get Valet Service Anywhere
Fast Food Valet Services
Chick-fil-A Hopes to Win Over Millennials with 'Mom's Valet'
Instant Chat Room Tools
Talk About Jack Connects by Opening New Live Chat Windows on Any Website
Roommate-Finding Platforms
The 'NestMates' App Makes It Easier to Find Compatible Roommates
Satirical Soda Stunts
This Campaign for Diabetes and Health Urges Brand Transparency
Street Style Shopping Apps
This New Fashion App Combines Shopping with Social Networking
All-Access Fast Food Tours
The McDonald's All-Access Moms Campaign Promotes Brand Transparency
Ski Pass Dealership Promotions
This Subaru Dealership Offered Free Ski Passes to a Local Resort
Mobile Valet Services
The ZIRX App Offers Smart Parking Services That are Cashless and Convenient
Botanical Guide Apps
Leafsnap Helps Nature Lovers Identify Leaf and Plant Species
Empowering Consumer Apps
The Crowdsourced OpenLabel App Helps Consumers Voice Opinions
Child-Voiced GPS Apps
This App Speaks In a Child's Voice When the Driver is Near a School
Vegan-Friendly Salad Dressings
This Blue Cheese Dressing is Completely Free of Dairy Products
Transparent Restaurant Menus
Panera Bread's Transparent Menu Empowers Guests With Healthy Options
Allergy-Alerting Apps
The 'Invitalshare' App Helps Parents Share Food Allergies with Caregivers
Controlling Chatbot Platforms
The Prompt App Streamlines Directional Cues to Various Tech Devices
Food Education Initiatives
Food Revolution Day Teaches Kids About Healthy Food Benefits
Child Chef Camps
This SoFAB Cooking Camp Teaches Kids to Prepare Healthy Meals
Child Baker Programs
'I Am Chef Haagen-Dazs' Offers Fun and Educational Child Cooking Lessons
Product Testimonial Apps
The 'Picky' App is a Free Video Service for Reviewing Products
On-Demand Valet Apps
Rakna is and Egyptian Valet Service that Aims to End Traffic Congestion
Hilarious Viral Video Feedback
The 'Kids React to Avril Lavigne' Video is Hilariously Honest
Gardener Cooking Clubs
This Agape Centre Program Has Kids Cooking with Food They Harvested