How to Disclose Affiliate Links the Right Way (FTC Basics)
If you earn money when people buy through your link, the people reading or watching deserve to know. In the US, the FTC's Endorsement Guides say financial relationships must be disclosed clearly. This isn't legal advice, but these basics will keep you on solid ground.
The core rule
A disclosure must be clear and conspicuous — easy to notice and easy to understand — and close to the recommendation.
Good disclosure wording
- "I earn a commission if you buy through my link."
- "This is an affiliate link — I get paid if you purchase."
- "Sponsored: I'm a paid partner of [Company]."
Short, plain, honest.
Where to put it
- Blog posts: near the top and right next to links. A disclosure only in the footer isn't enough.
- Social posts: at the beginning of the caption, before the "more" cutoff.
- Videos: say it out loud and show it on screen when you talk about the product. Put it in the description too.
- Emails: near the link, not just at the bottom.
- Live streams: repeat it periodically.
What doesn't work well
- Burying "#aff" among 20 hashtags.
- Using vague terms like "#sp" or "thanks [brand]".
- Disclosures only on an "About" page.
- Tiny or low-contrast text.
Don't make claims you can't back up
Disclosure doesn't make false claims okay. Don't promise income, health results or outcomes the company hasn't proven. Share your honest experience, including downsides.
Reviews
If you got a product free or were paid to review it, say so. Never write fake reviews or ask others to.
Program rules matter too
Most affiliate programs, including ours, require disclosure in their terms. Breaking them can mean losing commissions or your account.
A simple habit
Make a text snippet on your phone (most keyboards allow saved phrases) with your disclosure sentence. Paste it every single time.
For the official source, search "FTC Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers" on ftc.gov.
Common questions
Is #ad enough?
A clear #ad at the start of a post can work on some platforms, but hiding it among many hashtags or at the end isn't clear. Plain words like I earn a commission if you buy through my link are clearer.
Do I need to disclose in videos?
Yes. Say it out loud and show it on screen, ideally near the start and when you mention the product.
What if I only earn a tiny amount?
The amount doesn't matter. If you have a financial relationship, disclose it.
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