Affiliate Disclosure Guide: Staying Legal in 2025
“Learn how to write affiliate disclosures that keep you legal and build trust in 2025. Includes FTC rules, examples, and templates for blogs, YouTube, and social media.”
Introduction
Affiliate marketing can be incredibly profitable, but there’s one area beginners often overlook: legal compliance. If you’re recommending products and earning commissions, you are legally required to disclose those relationships to your audience.
Skipping disclosures isn’t just risky—it can destroy trust and credibility with your readers. Worse, it can get you fined by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) or banned from affiliate programs altogether.
This guide will show you exactly how to write affiliate disclosures in 2025 that keep you legal, compliant, and trustworthy—without scaring away your audience.
👉For a complete beginner roadmap, check out The Ultimate Guide to Affiliate Marketing for Beginners (2025 Edition).
Section 1: Why Affiliate Disclosures Matter
It’s the Law: The FTC requires affiliates to clearly disclose relationships.
It Builds Trust: Readers appreciate transparency. Hidden motives hurt credibility.
It Protects You: Many affiliate programs (Amazon Associates, AWeber, etc.) require disclosures in their terms.
FTC Rule in Plain English: If you could earn money from a recommendation, you must clearly tell your audience.
Section 2: What an Affiliate Disclosure Should Include
A proper disclosure is
Clear and Conspicuous: Easy to read and placed where users can see it.
Simple Language: No jargon, no fine print.
Upfront: Shown before a user clicks on an affiliate link.
Example:
“This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
Section 3: Where to Place Affiliate Disclosures
At the Top of Blog Posts: Before the first affiliate link.
In YouTube Descriptions: Place at the beginning, not buried at the bottom.
On Social Media Posts: Add “#ad” or “#affiliate” where visible.
In Emails:A short disclosure works in newsletters that contain links.
Bad Example: Hiding a disclosure at the very bottom in tiny font.
Good Example: Placing it right after the introduction paragraph.
Section 4: Affiliate Disclosure Examples
Blog Post Example
“This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust.”
YouTube Example
Description:
“Some of the links in this video are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. Thanks for supporting the channel!”
Instagram/TikTok Example
Caption:
“Affiliate link: If you grab this tool, I’ll earn a commission at no extra cost to you. #ad #affiliate”
Section 5: Common Disclosure Mistakes
Burying It in Legal Pages Only: Needs to be visible in each piece of content.
Using Vague Language: “May include partners” is not enough.
Making It Hard to Read: Tiny text or complicated wording turns readers off.
Skipping It on Social Media: FTC rules apply everywhere—not just blogs.
Section 6: Tools & Templates for Disclosures
WordPress Plugins: WP Legal Pages, Easy Affiliate Disclosure.
Manual Templates: Keep a pre-written disclosure you can paste into posts.
Affiliate Program Templates: Many networks (like Amazon) provide exact disclosure wording.
Conclusion
Affiliate disclosures aren’t scary—they’re a chance to show your audience that you’re trustworthy and transparent. Far from hurting your sales, disclosures actually build credibility with readers who value honesty.
👉For more compliance tips and beginner strategies, read Affiliate Marketing Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid or subscribe to my Affiliate Blog Academy newsletter.
FAQ:
Do I need an affiliate disclosure on my blog? Yes, the FTC requires a disclosure if you earn money from affiliate links.
Where should I put an affiliate disclosure? At the top of blog posts, in YouTube descriptions, and on social media posts near your affiliate links.
Does using #affiliate or #ad count as disclosure? Yes, as long as it’s clear, visible, and easily understood.
Will disclosures hurt my sales? No—readers actually trust you more when you’re transparent about earning commissions.
What’s an example of a compliant disclosure? “This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
Stephon Anderson, email: success@therealstephonanderson.com