Affiliate Disclosure Statement Templates

Overview

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires clear disclosure of material relationships between endorsers and brands. This document provides FTC-compliant disclosure templates for various platforms and use cases.

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Website Affiliate Disclosure Page

Create a dedicated disclosure page on your website (e.g., yoursite.com/disclosure) with this content:

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AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Last Updated: [DATE]

[WEBSITE_NAME] is a participant in various affiliate marketing programs. This means we may earn commissions on purchases made through links on this website to retailer sites.

What This Means for You

When you click on an affiliate link on [WEBSITE_NAME] and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the operation of this website and allow us to continue providing free content.

Our Commitment

• We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in
• Our opinions are our own and are not influenced by compensation
• Affiliate relationships do not affect our editorial integrity
• We clearly mark affiliate links throughout our content

Affiliate Programs We Participate In

[WEBSITE_NAME] is affiliated with the following programs:

• [AFFILIATE_PROGRAM_1]
• [AFFILIATE_PROGRAM_2]
• [AFFILIATE_PROGRAM_3]
• Various other affiliate networks

FTC Compliance

This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Questions?

If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships, please contact us at:

Email: [CONTACT_EMAIL]

Thank you for supporting [WEBSITE_NAME]!

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In-Content Disclosure Examples

Place these disclosures within blog posts, reviews, or content containing affiliate links:

Short Disclosure (Beginning of Post)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclosure

Conversational Disclosure

Heads up: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust.

Minimal Disclosure (Near Links)

*This is an affiliate link

*(affiliate link)

Review Post Disclosure

Transparency Note: [COMPANY_NAME] provided this product for review. However, all opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by the partnership. This post also contains affiliate links.

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Social Media Disclosures

Instagram/TikTok

In Post Caption:

• #ad
• #sponsored
• #paidpartnership
• "Paid partnership with [BRAND]" (use platform's built-in tool)

Example Captions:

🔗 Loving my new [PRODUCT] from @[BRAND]! Use my code [CODE] for [X]% off. #ad #affiliate

In partnership with @[BRAND] - affiliate link in bio! #sponsored

Twitter/X

Love this product! [LINK] #ad

Trying out [PRODUCT] - here's my honest take. Affiliate link: [LINK] #sponsored

YouTube

Video Description:

Some links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Verbal Disclosure (say in video):

"Quick disclosure: some of the links in the description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase."

Pinterest

This pin contains affiliate links. See disclosure: [LINK]

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Email Marketing Disclosure

Newsletter Header/Footer

Disclosure: This email may contain affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our newsletter.

Product Recommendation Email

Hi [NAME],

I wanted to share a product I've been using: [PRODUCT].

Note: The link below is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in.

[AFFILIATE_LINK]

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Podcast Disclosure

Spoken Disclosure:

"Before we continue, I want to let you know that this episode is brought to you by [SPONSOR]. I'm also an affiliate for [PRODUCT] which I'll mention later—if you use my link, I may earn a commission, but it doesn't cost you anything extra."

Show Notes:

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in these show notes are affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases made through these links.

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Key FTC Requirements

To comply with FTC guidelines, your disclosures must be:

1. Clear and Conspicuous

• Easy to notice (not hidden in fine print)
• Easy to understand (plain language)

2. Close to the Claim

• Near the affiliate link or recommendation
• Not just on a separate disclosure page

3. Unavoidable

• Readers shouldn't have to search for it
• Visible without scrolling (above the fold when possible)

4. In the Same Medium

• Video content needs verbal disclosure
• Audio content needs spoken disclosure
• Images need visible text disclosure

5. Understandable to Average Consumer

• Avoid legal jargon
• Use simple terms like "I may earn a commission"

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What NOT to Do

❌ Don't bury disclosures at the bottom of posts

❌ Don't use tiny font or low-contrast colors

❌ Don't rely only on a separate disclosure page

❌ Don't use vague terms like "partner" without context

❌ Don't assume followers know about affiliate relationships

❌ Don't skip disclosure for "small" commissions

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How to Use These Templates

1. Choose the right template for each platform/content type
2. Customize the bracketed text with your information
3. Place disclosures prominently - before affiliate links when possible
4. Be consistent - use disclosures every time
5. Review regularly - FTC guidelines may update

Quick Reference

Platform	Recommended Disclosure
Blog Post	Full disclosure paragraph at top
Social Media	#ad or #sponsored hashtag
YouTube	Verbal + description disclosure
Email	Header or footer note
Podcast	Verbal disclosure + show notes