Affiliate Link Disclosure Rules for U.S. Creators and Brands

If a creator earns commission when someone purchases through a link, disclose that financial relationship clearly and close to the recommendation and link. “Affiliate link” or a buy button alone may not explain that the creator gets paid. A useful disclosure says the consequence directly: “I earn a commission if you buy through this link.”

Explain the commission instead of naming industry jargon

The FTC Endorsement Guides Q&A says an affiliate marketer should clearly and conspicuously disclose the relationship with the retailer. It gives “I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post” as a practical example. It also says “affiliate link” alone may not be understood and that “commissionable link” is probably unclear.

Good language identifies the economic result:

• “I earn a commission from purchases through these links.”
• “Paid link: I may receive a commission if you buy.”
• “Acme pays me a commission when you use this link.”

Match the statement to reality. Do not say a link “supports the channel at no extra cost” and omit that the merchant pays commission. “No extra cost” may be true but does not reveal the relationship that helps readers evaluate the recommendation.

Place disclosure where the recommendation and link meet

Proximity is the practical rule. If the disclosure and link are separated, a reader may not connect them. A disclosure on an About page, terms page, or profile biography does not follow readers to the product recommendation.

Review by format:

• Blog article: Put the disclosure before the first affiliate recommendation and repeat where separated link groups could be seen alone.
• Social caption: Keep it before truncation and close to the product statement.
• Video: Disclose the affiliate relationship in the video and in the description near the links when the video recommends the products.
• Email: Put the explanation in the message, before or near the compensated links.
• Link hub: Label compensated destinations where a visitor makes the choice; do not assume a profile disclosure carried over.

A single disclosure can be adequate when readers see the review, explanation, and nearby link together. It is not a blanket license for every link elsewhere on the page or channel.

Check whether the content is actually an endorsement

Compensation alone is not the only question. The FTC's framework concerns advertising messages and endorsements. A neutral directory of all authorized sellers may present a different net impression from a creator urging followers to buy a favorite product.

Use this decision path:

1. Does the creator express approval, preference, experience, or a recommendation?
2. Does a purchase, click, signup, or code create compensation or another benefit?
3. Would knowing that connection affect how at least some readers weigh the message?
4. Can those readers notice and understand the disclosure before acting?

If the creator receives no compensation and has no other relationship, a normal link does not need an affiliate disclosure. If only some links are compensated, identify which ones rather than implying every cited source is commercial.

Review every surface and every type of compensation

Affiliate arrangements can combine free product, flat fees, tier bonuses, and commission. “I received this product for free” does not disclose sales commission; “I earn commission” does not disclose a separate payment for the endorsement when that difference would matter. The wording need not list exact dollar amounts, but it should not create a false impression about the relationship.

Keep a review record containing the destination, program owner, compensation type, approved wording, placement screenshot, and expiration date. Test redirects and mobile truncation. If a link changes from uncompensated to compensated, update the surrounding content rather than assuming an old review remains accurate.

For video-specific placement and claim checks, use the sponsored-video review checklist. For host-read ads that also publish affiliate links, our podcast sponsorship guide shows how the audio and written disclosures work together.

Account for platform and jurisdiction differences

The FTC's guidance is U.S.-focused. Platforms can prohibit incentives or require their own paid-content tools, and foreign regulators may expect different labels. A built-in label can add useful notice but does not necessarily tell readers which link generates commission.

Before publication, confirm the affiliate program's current terms, the destination platform's current policy, and the law reasonably connected to the creator and audience. If a promotion crosses markets, do not replace that review with the shortest phrase acceptable in one country.

This is general U.S. information, not legal advice. The required disclosure depends on the message, relationship, placement, platform, audience, and applicable law.