Aug 5, 2025
A Simple Guide to FTC Affiliate Disclosures for Bloggers and Creators
Introduction
If you're a content creator or blogger who uses affiliate links, you've probably heard about FTC disclosures, but you might be wondering if you're doing them correctly. It can be confusing to know exactly what to say and where to say it to stay on the right side of the law.
The short answer is: you must clearly and conspicuously disclose that you may earn a commission from purchases made through your links before the user clicks on the link.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires, provide clear examples of compliant disclosures, and explain the costly mistakes you need to avoid.
What Are FTC Disclosures and Why Are They Required?
The FTC is a U.S. government agency tasked with protecting consumers. Its guidelines on endorsements are designed to ensure that consumers know when a recommendation is also an advertisement. If you have a "material connection" to a brand (meaning you get paid or receive free products), you must disclose it. This applies to bloggers, social media influencers, and anyone who promotes products through affiliate links.
Failing to comply can result in FTC enforcement actions and significant damage to your brand's reputation. Trust is your most valuable asset, and transparency is how you protect it.
How to Write a Compliant Affiliate Disclosure: The 4 C's
Your disclosure needs to be Clear, Conspicuous, Concise, and Contextual.
Clear: Use simple, unambiguous language. Avoid jargon.
Good: "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases."
Bad: "This post contains affiliate links. (See our policy page for details)."
Conspicuous: The disclosure must be easy to see. It shouldn't be hidden in a footer, buried in a block of text, or written in a tiny font. It should appear near the recommendation it relates to. For a blog post, this means placing it at the very top, before the main content.
Concise: Get straight to the point. A long, legalistic paragraph can be just as confusing as no disclosure at all.
Good: "This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you."
Bad: A 300-word legal document explaining the nature of affiliate marketing.
Contextual: The disclosure should make sense in the context of the platform. On Instagram or TikTok, a simple
#ador#sponsoredat the beginning of the caption is often sufficient. On a blog post, a short sentence is better.
Conclusion
FTC affiliate disclosures aren't meant to be complicated. They're about being honest and transparent with your audience. By placing a clear, concise, and conspicuous disclosure at the top of your content, you not only comply with the law but also strengthen the trust you have with your readers, which is the foundation of any successful online business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a disclosure on every single blog post with affiliate links?
Yes. The FTC requires that the disclosure be placed on every page that contains an endorsement or affiliate link. You cannot rely on a single disclosure on your "About" or "Legal" page.
Is #ad enough for a social media post?
Yes, the FTC has stated that simple, clear terms like #ad and #sponsored are effective and compliant for social media captions, as long as they are placed where consumers are likely to see them (i.e., not buried at the end of a long list of hashtags).
What if I only received a free product and not money?
You still need to disclose it. Receiving a free product is considered a "material connection" by the FTC, and your audience has a right to know that you didn't pay for the item you're recommending.
Do these rules apply to links in emails or newsletters?
Yes. The rules apply to any form of digital communication where you are endorsing a product. You should include a clear disclosure in any email that contains affiliate links.
Does this apply to me if I'm not in the United States?
If your audience includes people in the United States, you must comply with FTC guidelines. Many other countries have similar advertising standards bodies with their own disclosure requirements as well.
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