How to Write an Affiliate Disclosure (FTC Compliant)

Why Affiliate Disclosures Are Required

If you earn commissions by linking to products — through Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or any program — the FTC requires clear disclosure. This isn’t optional; it’s federal law in the US, and similar regulations exist in the EU, UK, Canada, and Australia. The FTC Endorsement Guides require that any material connection between an endorser and brand be disclosed. Material connections include commissions, free products, sponsorships, and employment relationships.

FTC Disclosure Requirements

The FTC requires disclosures to be clear, conspicuous, and unavoidable. ‘Clear’ means plain language, not legal jargon. ‘Conspicuous’ means visible without scrolling or searching. ‘Unavoidable’ means placed where readers naturally see it before clicking affiliate links. A disclosure buried in your privacy policy or terms does not meet requirements. The FTC wants disclosures near the endorsement — ideally in the same paragraph or immediately above affiliate links.

Where to Place Your Disclosure

Place your primary disclosure at the top of any page with affiliate links — before the first affiliate link. A brief statement works: ‘This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.’ For individual recommendations, add inline indicators near the link. On social media, include disclosure within the post — not in a separate tweet or buried in hashtags. Use the Affiliate Disclosure Generator for FTC-compliant language.

Disclosure Templates

For Amazon Associates specifically, their Operating Agreement requires: ‘As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.’ This is a minimum; make it more conversational for your audience. Create a complete disclosure page for your site, then add brief inline disclosures at the top of affiliate content. Review every 6 months as programs and FTC guidance evolve.