Social Media Guidelines for Affiliates

Overview

These guidelines help affiliates promote [COMPANY_NAME] effectively and compliantly on social media. Following these guidelines protects both you and our brand while maximizing your earning potential.

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General Principles

Our Brand Voice

When promoting [COMPANY_NAME], please align with our brand voice:

• Tone: [TONE - e.g., Professional yet approachable, Fun and energetic, Authoritative and trustworthy]
• Values: [VALUES - e.g., Innovation, Customer success, Simplicity]
• Personality: [PERSONALITY - e.g., Helpful friend, Expert advisor, Enthusiastic supporter]

Golden Rules

1. Be Authentic - Share genuine experiences and opinions
2. Be Transparent - Always disclose your affiliate relationship
3. Be Accurate - Only make truthful, substantiated claims
4. Be Respectful - Represent our brand positively
5. Be Compliant - Follow FTC guidelines and platform rules

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Platform-Specific Guidelines

Instagram

Feed Posts:

• Use high-quality images (minimum 1080x1080 pixels)
• Product should be clearly visible or relevant
• Tag @[BRAND_HANDLE] in the image
• Include #ad or #affiliate in caption (not buried)
• Use our approved hashtags: [HASHTAG_LIST]

Stories:

• Use Instagram's "Paid Partnership" label when available
• Include link sticker with your affiliate link
• Keep text readable (large font, contrasting colors)
• Tag @[BRAND_HANDLE]

Reels:

• Keep product placement natural, not forced
• Include disclosure in video text AND caption
• Use trending audio when appropriate
• Optimal length: 15-30 seconds

Don't:

• Buy followers or engagement
• Use Instagram pods or engagement groups
• Post low-quality or blurry images
• Spam hashtags (max 10-15 relevant ones)

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TikTok

Best Practices:

• Create native TikTok content (not repurposed from other platforms)
• Hook viewers in first 2-3 seconds
• Show product in use, not just holding it
• Use trending sounds and formats when relevant
• Include #ad in caption and on-screen

Content Ideas:

• "Day in my life" featuring product
• Before/after or transformation
• Tutorial or how-to
• Review or first impressions
• Duets with brand content

Don't:

• Create obviously scripted or inauthentic content
• Make claims not supported by the product
• Use copyrighted music for sponsored content
• Forget disclosure (TikTok requires it)

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YouTube

Video Types:

• Dedicated review video
• Integration within relevant content
• Tutorial or how-to featuring product
• Comparison or "best of" lists

Requirements:

• Verbal disclosure within first 30 seconds
• Written disclosure in description (near top)
• Check "includes paid promotion" box
• Include affiliate link in description

Description Template:

[Video description]

🔗 Try [PRODUCT] here: [AFFILIATE_LINK]
Use code [CODE] for [DISCOUNT]!

#ad - This video contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.

[Rest of description]

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Twitter/X

Best Practices:

• Keep tweets concise and valuable
• Include link with UTM parameters
• Use #ad disclosure
• Engage with replies authentically

Tweet Examples:

Good: ✅

Been using [PRODUCT] for a month now and it's genuinely improved my [BENEFIT]. Worth checking out if you [PROBLEM]. [LINK] #ad

Bad: ❌

BUY THIS NOW!!! BEST PRODUCT EVER!!! [LINK]

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Facebook

Post Types:

• Personal recommendations
• Product demonstrations (video)
• Customer success stories (with permission)
• Special offer announcements

Requirements:

• Use Facebook's "Paid Partnership" label when available
• Include #ad or #sponsored
• Don't create fake groups or pages

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Pinterest

Pin Guidelines:

• Use vertical images (2:3 ratio optimal)
• Create informative, valuable pins
• Include "Affiliate link" disclosure
• Use relevant keywords in description

Board Strategy:

• Create themed boards relevant to product
• Mix affiliate content with non-affiliate
• Use descriptive board titles

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LinkedIn

Best For:

• B2B products and services
• Professional tool recommendations
• Case studies and success stories

Guidelines:

• Maintain professional tone
• Focus on business value/ROI
• Disclose affiliate relationship
• Share genuine professional insights

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Content Requirements

Required Disclosures

Every promotional post MUST include clear disclosure:

Acceptable:

• #ad
• #affiliate
• #sponsored
• #paidpartnership
• "Paid partnership with [BRAND]"
• "I earn a commission from this link"

NOT Acceptable:

• #sp (too abbreviated)
• #partner (too vague)
• Buried at the end of 30 hashtags
• Only on disclosure page (not in post)
• Small text or hidden disclosure

What You CAN Say

✅ Share your genuine experience ✅ Explain features and benefits you've experienced ✅ Compare to alternatives (factually and fairly) ✅ Share how it solved your problem ✅ Recommend to your audience if you genuinely would

What You CANNOT Say

❌ Make unsubstantiated claims ("cures," "guarantees") ❌ Promise results you haven't experienced ❌ Create fake urgency ("only 2 left!" when false) ❌ Disparage competitors unfairly ❌ Imply endorsement by celebrities or entities without permission ❌ Use our brand as if you're an employee/representative

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Visual Guidelines

Logo Usage

• Use only official logos from [ASSET_LIBRARY_URL]
• Don't alter colors, proportions, or add effects
• Maintain minimum clear space around logo
• Don't place logo on busy backgrounds

Product Images

• Use official product images OR
• Create original high-quality photos/videos
• Don't use competitor products in the same image
• Don't use images that misrepresent the product

Brand Colors

Color	Hex Code	Use
Primary	[PRIMARY_HEX]	Headlines, CTAs
Secondary	[SECONDARY_HEX]	Accents
Background	[BG_HEX]	Backgrounds

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Prohibited Content

Do NOT create content that:

• Contains hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
• Is sexually explicit or suggestive
• Promotes illegal activities
• Contains violence or gore
• Makes political statements on our behalf
• Targets minors inappropriately
• Uses our brand in controversial contexts
• Could damage our reputation

Zero Tolerance: Violation of these rules results in immediate removal from the program.

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Hashtag Guidelines

Required Hashtags

• #ad OR #affiliate (for disclosure)

Suggested Brand Hashtags

• #[BRAND_HASHTAG]
• #[PRODUCT_HASHTAG]
• #[CAMPAIGN_HASHTAG]

Category Hashtags

Include relevant hashtags for your niche (not just brand hashtags).

Hashtag Don'ts

• Don't use banned or shadowbanned hashtags
• Don't stuff 30 irrelevant hashtags
• Don't put disclosure hashtag at the very end

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Engagement Guidelines

Responding to Comments

Do:

• Answer genuine product questions
• Redirect complex issues to our support: [SUPPORT_URL]
• Be helpful and positive
• Thank people for their interest

Don't:

• Make promises we can't keep
• Share pricing not publicly available
• Engage with trolls or negative commenters
• Provide customer support (redirect instead)

Handling Negative Feedback

If someone comments negatively about [COMPANY_NAME]:

1. Don't delete or argue
2. Acknowledge their concern politely
3. Direct them to support: [SUPPORT_EMAIL]
4. Let us know if there's a pattern

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Content Approval (If Required)

When Approval is Needed

[Option A: No approval required] You do NOT need approval for standard affiliate posts following these guidelines.

[Option B: Approval required] Please submit content for approval [DAYS] days before posting:

• Major campaigns
• Video content over [LENGTH]
• Content making specific claims
• Comparison content

How to Submit

Email: [APPROVAL_EMAIL] Include: Platform, content/script, posting date

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Resources

Asset Library

[ASSET_LIBRARY_URL]

• Logos
• Product images
• Banner templates
• Video clips

Approved Copy/Messaging

[MESSAGING_DOC_URL]

• Key benefits
• Approved claims
• CTAs
• Product descriptions

Support

Questions about guidelines: [AFFILIATE_EMAIL] Report violations: [COMPLIANCE_EMAIL]

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Updates to Guidelines

We may update these guidelines as platforms and regulations change. Current version will always be at: [GUIDELINES_URL]

Last Updated: [DATE]

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Quick Reference

Platform	Image Size	Disclosure	Key Tip
Instagram Feed	1080x1080	#ad in caption	Tag @brand
Instagram Stories	1080x1920	Paid partnership	Use link sticker
TikTok	1080x1920	#ad on screen + caption	Hook in 2 sec
YouTube	1920x1080	Verbal + description	First 30 seconds
Twitter	1200x675	#ad in tweet	Keep concise
Pinterest	1000x1500	In description	Vertical images

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How to Use This Template

1. Customize for your brand - Update voice, values, handles
2. Add your asset links - Logo library, approved images
3. Set approval process - Decide what needs review
4. Share with affiliates - Include in onboarding
5. Update regularly - Platforms change often