Affiliate marketing is an amazing way to earn income by recommending products you trust. But there’s something you must include in your content — not just to protect yourself legally, but to build credibility with your audience:
👉 An affiliate disclosure.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What an affiliate disclosure is
- Why it’s required (yes, legally!)
- Where and how to write one
- Examples you can use right away
Let’s make sure your content earns and complies.
What Is an Affiliate Disclosure?
An affiliate disclosure is a short statement that tells your audience that you may earn a commission if they buy through a link in your content.
It’s a form of transparency. You’re letting people know:
- You’re affiliated with the brand/product
- You may benefit financially if they make a purchase
- There’s no extra cost to them
💡 Think of it as a heads-up — you’re being paid for your recommendation.
Why You Absolutely Need One
1. It’s the Law (In Many Countries)
In the U.S., the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) requires clear disclosures for any affiliate or sponsored content. Other countries (UK, EU, Canada, Australia) have similar guidelines.
Failing to disclose can result in:
- Legal action
- Fines
- Bans from affiliate platforms
2. It’s Required by Most Affiliate Programs
Major programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and ClickBank require disclosures in their terms.
If you skip it, you could lose:
- Commissions
- Program access
- Trust with your audience
3. It Builds Trust With Your Audience
People are smart. They know content creators earn commissions — and being honest about it makes them more likely to trust (and buy from) you.
🧠 Transparency builds loyalty — secrecy kills it.
What a Good Affiliate Disclosure Looks Like
It should be:
- Clear – no jargon or hiding it in legalese
- Visible – placed before or near the first affiliate link
- Brief – no need for a long disclaimer
✅ Examples You Can Use
Short and simple:
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More casual:
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you make a purchase — but I only recommend tools I genuinely use and love.
Bonus + honest:
If you use my link to try this product, I’ll earn a small commission (and you’ll help support this blog at no extra cost). Thank you!
Where Should You Place the Disclosure?
✅ Best placements:
- Top of blog posts with affiliate links
- Above the fold in reviews or tutorials
- Near affiliate links in email newsletters
- Video descriptions (like YouTube) before the first link
- Social media posts (with #ad or #affiliate)
📌 Don’t hide your disclosure in the footer or legal pages — it needs to be seen before people click.
What NOT to Do
❌ Don’t hide it in tiny text
❌ Don’t use vague phrases like “may contain links”
❌ Don’t place it only in your privacy policy
❌ Don’t assume people will “figure it out”
Your goal is clarity and honesty, not checking a box.
How Often Should You Include It?
Every. Single. Time.
If there’s an affiliate link in your:
- Blog post
- YouTube video
- Social post
- PDF download
👉 You need to include a disclosure.
It may feel repetitive, but it’s essential — and it becomes second nature over time.
Do You Need a Separate Affiliate Disclaimer Page?
Not required, but recommended.
A full disclaimer page on your site can include:
- A general affiliate disclosure
- Amazon Associates-specific text (if you use Amazon)
- A quick explanation of how affiliate marketing works
- A note of your commitment to honest recommendations
📄 Link to this page from your footer or About page for full transparency.
Final Thoughts: Disclose With Confidence
Affiliate marketing is built on trust — and a proper disclosure shows you respect your audience.
It’s not a weakness. It’s a strength. When you’re upfront about your affiliate relationships, people:
- Trust you more
- Feel better clicking your links
- Come back for future recommendations
Be clear. Be ethical. And let your content and honesty do the selling.
