An affiliate disclosure example is a clear, upfront statement telling your readers that you earn money when they click your links and buy something. It’s not optional—the FTC requires it, and honestly, your audience deserves to know you have skin in the game.
Let me walk you through what actually works, where to put it, and how to avoid the compliance mistakes that could tank your credibility (or worse, draw regulatory attention).
What Is an Affiliate Disclosure Example?
A disclosure is essentially a transparency tool. It says: “Hey, I get a commission if you buy through my link.” Simple as that.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires clear and conspicuous disclosures whenever you have a material connection to a product you’re recommending. That includes affiliate relationships.
Why does this matter? Because readers trust you more when you’re honest about your money motivation. And legally, you’re protected when you follow the rules. Win-win.
Real Affiliate Disclosure Examples You Can Copy
Here are templates that actually work. Use these as starting points for your own content.
Example 1: Simple and Direct
“I earn a commission if you make a purchase through my link at no extra cost to you.”
Example 2: Product-Specific
“As an affiliate partner with ClickBank, I earn commissions on sales of the products I recommend. This doesn’t affect your price.”
Related: Best Affiliate Storefronts 2026: Top 5 Ranked for Commissions
Related: Best Affiliate Brokers 2026: Top 5 Ranked & Compared
Example 3: For Blog Posts or Reviews
“This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I earn a small commission—which helps me keep creating free content like this.”
Example 4: For Email or Social Media
“Links in this email are affiliate links. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in.”
Example 5: Multiple Affiliate Programs
“I partner with several companies and earn commissions from qualifying purchases. My recommendations are based on product quality, not commission size.”
The best disclosure is one that’s honest, brief, and impossible to miss. Don’t bury it in tiny font at the bottom of your page.
Where to Place Your Affiliate Disclosure
Location is everything. A disclosure that nobody sees might as well not exist.
For blog posts: Put it at the very top, before you recommend anything. Or place it right above the affiliate link itself. Think “first thing readers see” or “immediately next to the call-to-action.”
For product reviews: Include a disclosure box near your intro paragraph. Make it stand out with a different background color or border.
For email promotions: Add it above the link, or at least in the same sentence.
For social media: Use hashtags like #ad or #affiliate, or write it into your caption before the link.
For YouTube videos: Include it in the first 10 seconds of the video and in the description.
If you’re serious about scaling your affiliate income, Frank Novak covers the full strategy—from vetting ClickBank products to structuring your content for both compliance and conversions.
Want results like these?
Key Elements That Make a Disclosure Legally Sound
Clarity. Use plain English. “I am an affiliate” beats “affiliate relationships may exist between the parties.” Average readers should get it in one read.
Conspicuousness. Make it visible. Bigger font, bold text, or a colored box. Don’t hide it in gray text on a gray background.
Proximity. Put it near the link or recommendation, not buried three screens down.
Specificity. Name the program if possible. “ClickBank affiliate” is better than vague language.
Honesty. Don’t pretend you only make money sometimes. If you’re an affiliate, disclose it fully.
One mistake people make: they think a single disclosure at the top of their homepage covers everything. It doesn’t. Each post, each video, each email needs its own disclosure if it contains affiliate content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Burying the disclosure. Tiny font at the bottom of a 2,000-word post doesn’t count. Readers won’t see it.
Using vague language. “This post may contain links” is weak. Be direct: “I earn commissions from these links.”
Forgetting to disclose at all. The biggest mistake. If you’re an affiliate, say so. Every. Single. Time.
Disclosing only on some links. If you’re recommending product A with a disclosure and product B without one, that’s inconsistent and looks sketchy.
Making it conditional. Don’t say “I earn a commission if you use my link” when you actually earn a commission every time someone buys the product through your link. Be precise.
When you’re building an affiliate business the right way, compliance and transparency are non-negotiable. That’s how Frank Novak approaches teaching affiliate marketers—by showing you how to earn real money without cutting corners.
How to Format Your Disclosure for Maximum Impact
Format matters because it affects whether people actually read your disclosure.
Use bold text: “**I earn commissions from these links.**”
Use a color box: A light yellow or blue background makes it pop.
Use parentheses (sparingly): “(Affiliate link)” next to a specific product name is clear and non-intrusive.
Use a disclosure banner: At the top of your blog post or product review, a banner that says “This post contains affiliate links” works well.
Use consistent positioning: Always put it in the same spot on every post. Readers will come to expect it.
The goal is readability. Your disclosure should take 3 seconds to understand, not 30 seconds to decode.
Disclosure Requirements by Platform
Blog/Website: FTC requires it to be “clear and conspicuous.” Typically means in or near the post, not buried in a footer.
Instagram/TikTok: Use #ad or #affiliate. These platforms actually require it for monetized partnerships.
YouTube: Disclose in the first 10 seconds and the description. YouTube’s algorithm also flags monetized content now.
Email: Include it in the email body, not hidden in unsubscribe text.
Podcasts: Say it out loud. “I’m an affiliate partner with…” works great in audio format.
Why This Matters for Your Affiliate Business
Disclosures aren’t just legal checkboxes. They’re relationship-builders.
Readers who know you’re transparent about money trust you more. They’re more likely to buy. They’re more likely to come back. And they’re less likely to leave angry comments or file complaints.
Plus, compliance protects your income. An FTC violation can cost you thousands in fines, plus you lose your audience’s trust forever. Not worth it.
If you’re serious about building a sustainable affiliate business on ClickBank or other networks, you need both the strategy and the legal foundation. That’s where detailed frameworks and real examples make all the difference in keeping you protected while you scale.
Do I Need a Disclosure for Every Single Link?
No, only for affiliate links—links where you earn a commission if someone clicks and buys. If you’re linking to a competitor’s product or a non-affiliate resource, no disclosure needed. But the safest approach? Disclose once at the top of the post, then you’re covered for all your affiliate links in that piece.
What If I Recommend Products I Don’t Earn Commission From?
No disclosure needed for those specific links. But be honest about which recommendations are affiliate links and which aren’t. This builds credibility. “I don’t earn anything from this tool, but I recommend it because…” is powerful.
Can I Use Shorthand Like #ad Instead of a Full Disclosure?
On social media, yes. #ad and #affiliate are widely understood and required by platforms. On your blog or email, a full disclosure statement is better because it’s more explicit. Don’t rely on hashtags for written content.
What Happens If I Don’t Disclose?
The FTC can fine you up to $43,792 per violation (as of 2026). You could lose your affiliate accounts. Your audience loses trust. It’s not worth the risk. Disclose every time.
Want results like these?
