Why Do I Need an Affiliate Disclosure?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires creators, publishers, and influencers to disclose material connections to brands. If you are earning a commission, receiving free products, or being sponsored, you must disclose that relationship to your audience clearly and conspicuously.
The 4 Pillars of a Clear Disclosure
- Proximity: Place the disclosure as close to the affiliate link as possible. A single link hidden in your site footer is not compliant.
- Prominence: Ensure the text is large enough to read on all devices. For videos, text should remain on screen long enough to be read.
- Unavoidability: Do not hide the disclosure behind a "Click to read more" button or at the very bottom of a long caption.
- Plain Language: Avoid confusing euphemisms like "partnered with" or "collab". Use clear words like "Ad," "Sponsored," or "I may earn a commission."
Platform-Specific Requirements
While the FTC sets the legal baseline in the US, many platforms have their own native disclosure tools you are required to use.
Meta (Instagram / Facebook)
Use the native "Paid Partnership" or branded content tool. However, the FTC notes that native tools alone may not always be enough—it's safest to also include #ad or "Paid link" in your caption.
TikTok
Toggle on the "Commercial Content Disclosure" setting before publishing. Undisclosed commercial content can be removed from the For You feed.
YouTube
Check the paid promotion box in YouTube Studio. You should also verbally disclose the relationship in the video and place a written disclaimer in the description box.
Use the "Paid Partnership" label on Pins. If the brand isn't on Pinterest, you can still use the label. Always include plain-language disclosure in the Pin description.
Disclaimer: This tool provides a framework based on published FTC guidelines and platform policies, but it does not constitute legal advice. Policies change frequently. Always verify requirements against the primary source.