Introduction

When it comes to earning from your blog or online platform, nothing is more important than transparency—and that’s exactly what this Affiliate Disclosure Guide: How to Stay FTC Compliant is all about.

If you’re using affiliate links to monetize your content, then FTC-compliant disclosures are not just a good practice—they are a legal requirement. Many beginners avoid or overlook disclosures because they feel complicated, but the truth is:

👉 A proper disclosure is simple, short, and easy to add.
👉 It protects your blog.
👉 And it builds trust with your audience.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create clear and effective affiliate disclosures, where to place them, what to avoid, and how to stay fully compliant without stress.

Let’s get started.

A clean cover graphic showing the theme of the blog post: Affiliate Disclosure Guide: How to Stay FTC Compliant.

What Is an Affiliate Disclosure?
Why FTC Disclosures Are Mandatory
What Happens If You Don’t Use a Disclosure?
What Your Disclosure Must Include
Where to Place Affiliate Disclosures
Affiliate Disclosure Examples You Can Copy
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Final Checklist for FTC-Compliant Disclosures
Conclusion

👉 Our next post: “How to Create a Legally Compliant Affiliate Disclosure Page for Your Blog.”

1. What Is an Affiliate Disclosure?

An affiliate disclosure is a short statement that tells your audience that:

You earn commissions from affiliate links
Your content contains paid or sponsored recommendations
You may receive compensation when users click or buy through your links

In simple words, it’s a transparency note.

It doesn’t change your content quality— it only builds trust by letting your audience know that you benefit financially from some of the links you share.

A simple visual explaining how affiliate links and clear disclosures work together to build trust.

2. Why FTC Disclosures Are Mandatory

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires affiliate disclosures because:

People must know when recommendations are influenced by money
Hidden promotions are misleading
Transparency is essential for consumer protection

In short:

👉 If you earn money from affiliate links, you MUST disclose it.

Whether you’re promoting Amazon products, SaaS tools, hosting providers, or digital courses, the disclosure rule applies to every platform:

Blogs
YouTube videos
Email newsletters
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest)
Podcasts

You don’t need a lawyer. You just need clarity.

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3. What Happens If You Don’t Use a Disclosure?

This is the part many ignore.

Failing to disclose can lead to:

❌ Legal penalties

The FTC can issue warnings, fines, and even take action against your website.

❌ Loss of affiliate accounts

Many programs (like Amazon Associates) can ban or suspend you immediately.

❌ Damage to your reputation

Readers will stop trusting you.

❌ Reduced conversions

When users feel misled, they avoid clicking affiliate links.

In simple words:

👉 No disclosure = Legal risk + Loss of trust

4. What Your Disclosure MUST Include

Your affiliate disclosure should cover these main points:

1️⃣ You may earn a commission

Be transparent that you make money from qualifying purchases.

2️⃣ At no extra cost to the user

This reassures readers.

3️⃣ Your opinions are honest

The FTC prefers disclosures that clarify unbiased recommendations.

4️⃣ Clear and understandable language

No complex legal terms. No tiny grey text.

5️⃣ Visible placement

It should be easy to find and read.

5. Where to Place Affiliate Disclosures

This is one of the MOST important compliance steps.

Here’s how to do it right:

✔ At the top of blog posts

Preferably before the first affiliate link appears.
This ensures the reader sees it before clicking.

✔ On your sidebar or footer (optional, not a replacement)

A general site-wide disclosure helps, but it cannot replace in-content disclosures.

✔ Before links in emails

If your newsletter contains affiliate links, add a disclosure at the top or before the first link.

✔ At the beginning of YouTube video descriptions

Not at the end, not after a “See More” click.

✔ On social media posts

A simple note like:

“This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”

Even hashtags like #affiliate or #ad work if used clearly and early.

A visual guide showing the correct placement of affiliate disclosures for FTC compliance.

6. Affiliate Disclosure Examples You Can Copy

Here are ready-to-use, fully FTC-compliant disclosure templates:

📌 Blog Post Disclosure (Short)

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

📌 Blog Post Disclosure (Detailed)

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you decide to purchase through my links. This helps support my work at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe are helpful.

📌 YouTube Video Description

Disclosure: This video contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I may earn a commission. Thank you for supporting the channel!

📌 Email Newsletter

This email includes affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them — at no additional cost to you.

📌 Social Media Post

This post contains affiliate links. #affiliate #ad

Feel free to use these as-is or modify them to match your brand’s voice.

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7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

A visual comparison that highlights the difference between proper and improper affiliate disclosures.

Beginners make these mistakes often — and they can cost you.

❌ Hiding disclosures at the bottom

FTC doesn’t allow this.

❌ Using confusing language

Avoid vague words like “support links,” “partner links,” etc.

❌ Not disclosing on social media

Even one Instagram story with an affiliate link needs a disclosure.

❌ Using tiny fonts

Your disclosure must be visible, not hidden.

❌ Relying only on a site-wide disclosure page

It’s good to have, but it cannot replace individual post disclosures.

❌ Forgetting to add a disclosure in emails

Many creators overlook this and get flagged.

8. Final Checklist for FTC-Compliant Disclosures

Before hitting publish, make sure your disclosure is:

✔ Clear and easy to understand
✔ Placed at the top of the content
✔ Written in simple, human language
✔ Visible and easy to read
✔ Honest about your affiliate relationships
✔ Present on ALL platforms (blog, YouTube, social media, email)

If all checkboxes are ticked—you’re FTC-compliant.

9. Conclusion

Affiliate disclosures might feel like a formality, but they are actually a powerful trust-building tool. When readers see that you are transparent about your income sources, they trust your recommendations even more.

Compliance is not complicated. A simple, honest sentence placed in the right spot keeps you protected, trustworthy, and professional.

By applying the steps in this guide, you’ll easily remain FTC-compliant while growing your affiliate income ethically and confidently.

Next Post: You Don’t Want to Miss This!

If you think disclosures are important, wait until you see what’s coming next…

👉 Our next post: “How to Create a Legally Compliant Affiliate Disclosure Page for Your Blog.”
It will show you EXACT templates, layout, and copy you can use to build a perfect disclosure page in 10 minutes or less—even if you’re a complete beginner.

This upcoming post will save your time, protect your blog, and give you a professional edge.

Stay tuned—this is one guide EVERY blogger needs!

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Affiliate Disclosure Guide: How to Stay FTC Compliant