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How should affiliates disclose their relationships?
Affiliates should disclose their relationships in a clear, conspicuous, and timely manner to ensure they are fully compliant with the FTC guidelines. Here’s how affiliates should properly disclose their relationships with merchants when promoting products or services:
1. Be Transparent and Direct
- The disclosure should clearly explain that you, the affiliate, may earn a commission or receive compensation if someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase.
- Use simple language that is easily understood by your audience.
Examples of Clear Disclosure:
- “This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.”
- “I am an affiliate for [Company Name], and I may earn a commission if you buy through my link.”
2. Placement and Proximity to Affiliate Links
- The disclosure must be placed near the affiliate link or content that contains the link. The closer the disclosure is to the link, the better. If it’s buried at the bottom of a page or too far from the link, it may not be considered visible enough.
- In articles, blog posts, or product reviews, include the disclosure at the beginning or at the start of the content (before any links are provided).
Example: At the start of an article or blog post:
- “This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
3. Disclosure in Social Media
- For platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok, the disclosure should be placed within the post itself, not just in the caption or bio.
- Hashtags like #ad or #affiliate should be included in posts to clearly indicate an affiliate relationship.
Examples for Social Media:
- Instagram: “This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. #ad #affiliate”
- Facebook/Twitter: “I am an affiliate for [Brand Name], and if you buy through my link, I may earn a commission. #ad”
4. Disclosure in Video Content
- For YouTube and other video platforms, the disclosure should be both written and verbal. You should state that the video contains affiliate links and mention that you may earn a commission if viewers make a purchase through those links.
- The disclosure should be included in the video description, and also briefly mentioned verbally during the video.
Example for YouTube:
- In the video description: “This video contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission.”
- Verbal disclosure: “Some of the links in this video are affiliate links, and if you make a purchase, I may receive a commission.”
5. Avoid Confusing Language
- Use language that leaves no ambiguity. Avoid vague terms like “sponsored,” “supported by,” or “in partnership with,” unless you’re actually being compensated for creating content. These terms may confuse your audience into thinking the content is sponsored in a different way.
- Example of what to avoid: “This post is sponsored by [Brand].” (unless you were indeed paid to create the post as part of a sponsorship).
6. Disclose in Email Marketing
- If you’re promoting affiliate products via email, you must disclose the affiliate relationship in the email itself, before any affiliate links are included.
- You can include a statement such as: “This email contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them.”
7. Clear and Not Deceptive
- The disclosure should be easily readable (in a visible font) and not hidden. Avoid using tiny fonts or placing disclosures only in a footer or far from the affiliate link.
- The disclosure should be specific and truthful. Do not conceal or downplay your relationship with the merchant.
Example: “This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning if you purchase through the links, I may earn a commission.”
8. Other Forms of Disclosure (e.g., Pop-Ups)
- For certain types of promotions, like pop-up ads or specific campaigns, it’s helpful to include a disclosure in the pop-up itself or on the landing page where the user first interacts with the affiliate link.
Example: A pop-up could include: “This page contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.”
9. Content and Context Considerations
- In some cases, content type and context may dictate how much emphasis should be placed on the disclosure. However, never hide or bury the disclosure, even if it’s a short post or tweet.
Example: In a short tweet, include the disclosure with a hashtag: “Check out this awesome product! [link] #affiliate”
10. Use of Affiliate Program or Network Disclosures
- Some affiliate programs or networks (like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Commission Junction) may have specific disclosure guidelines or terms that you need to follow, so be sure to check the terms of service for the specific affiliate program you are working with.
In Summary:
Affiliates should disclose their relationships in a clear, prominent, and easy-to-understand way. The disclosure should:
- Be placed near the affiliate link.
- Use simple and direct language.
- Be visible before the affiliate link is clicked.
- Follow platform-specific rules (e.g., social media hashtags like #ad, #affiliate).
- Be transparent so that consumers are fully aware that the affiliate may earn a commission from their purchases.
By following these guidelines, affiliates can maintain trust with their audience and comply with legal requirements like the FTC disclosure rules.
