Do You Need an Affiliate Disclosure? What to Tell Your Readers
Yes. If you earn a commission from the links you share, you should tell readers clearly and near those links, in plain language. In the United States the FTC expects clear disclosure of material connections like affiliate relationships, and many affiliate programs also require it in their own terms. This is general information, not legal advice, and rules differ outside the U.S.
What Is an Affiliate Disclosure?
An affiliate disclosure is a short, honest statement that you may earn money if a reader buys through your links. It exists so readers can weigh your recommendation knowing you have a financial interest in it.
Where Should the Disclosure Go?
Put it where readers will see it before they click, such as near the top of the post or right beside the links, not tucked away in a footer nobody scrolls to. A disclosure that has to be hunted for is not doing its job.
What Should the Wording Say?
Keep it simple and plain, for example: “If you buy through links on this page, I may earn a commission.” Only add “at no extra cost to you” if that is actually true for the program you are promoting. Avoid vague or clever phrasing that a reader could miss or misread.
Does a Disclosure Page Replace a Disclosure in the Post?
A separate disclosure or policy page is a good thing to have, but it generally should not be your only notice. Put a short disclosure in the content where the affiliate links appear, and link to the fuller policy page if you have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to disclose affiliate links if I genuinely like the product?
Yes. The disclosure is about your financial relationship, not about whether the recommendation is sincere. If you may earn a commission, say so.
Is a hashtag like #ad enough on social media?
It can be part of it, but the disclosure needs to be clear and easy to notice. Buried at the end of a long caption or mixed in with other hashtags is risky. Check the current FTC guidance and the platform’s own branded-content rules.
What if my readers are outside the United States?
Other countries have their own advertising and consumer-protection rules about disclosing paid relationships. If you publish for readers elsewhere, check the rules that apply there.