Affiliate Disclosures: How to Write with 10 Best Examples

Affiliate marketing is an excellent method to supplement your income. Everyone with a website, whether a hobby blog or a full-fledged online business, may make money from it.

But before you deep dive entirely into the world of affiliate marketing, there are some rules and guidelines that you must be aware of and adhere to. One of the most important things is to disclose your affiliate links to your audience.

But don’t worry! It’s not as terrifying as it sounds. This article will show you how to disclose your affiliate links. Furthermore, we will show you examples of successful affiliate websites so you can see how they do it. Well, let us begin!

What is an Affiliate Disclosure?

Have you encountered a blog or social media post where someone enthusiastically endorsed a product or service, and you’ve questioned whether they were compensated for promoting it? That’s precisely where affiliate disclosure plays a role!

Affiliate disclosure is a method for website owners, bloggers, or social media influencers to educate their audience about their relationship with a brand whose products or services they recommend. It informs the audience that the promoter may earn a commission if they buy the recommended product or service using the link. It means saying, “I genuinely like this product and want to suggest it to you, but it’s essential to let you know that if you decide to purchase, I may get a commission.

This disclosure promotes transparency and adherence to advertising rules and regulations. More importantly, it enables you, the audience, to make informed choices about the products or services you buy or use in response to the recommendation.

Why is Affiliate Disclosure Important?

To be transparent with your audience regarding any financial benefits you may receive while endorsing certain products or services, you must make an affiliate disclosure.

The ASCI has set forth regulations mandating influencers and content creators to reveal any sponsored or paid content or promotions they share on social media or other online platforms.

This includes affiliate marketing too.

You can build trust and credibility with your audience by being upfront and providing an affiliate disclosure. They’ll appreciate knowing that you have a financial interest in what you’re promoting, and they can make informed decisions about their purchasing choices.

If you don’t disclose your affiliate partnerships, it can result in legal and regulatory problems that you should try to avoid. To avoid potential violations of laws protecting consumers or claims of false advertising, it’s important to give your audience transparent and truthful information about your affiliate relationships.

How to Write a Perfect Affiliate Disclosure?

Here are some simple steps to make sure your disclosure is transparent, honest, and easy for your audience to understand:

Let them know you’re an affiliate

Start by being upfront and transparent about your participation in affiliate marketing programs. Let your readers see that you receive compensation for sales made through your affiliate links.

Be honest and open 

Tell your readers about your relationship with the company you are promoting. Tell them that you may receive a commission if they purchase through your link.

Keep it simple 

Use clear and straightforward language. Don’t use technical terms or legal jargon that could confuse your readers.

Be specific

Include the name of the affiliate program you’re promoting and any applicable terms and conditions, such as commission rates or limitations on how the links can be used.

Make it visible 

Put your disclosure in a visible place on your website so your readers can quickly find it. Make it visible and accessible, whether in the footer, sidebar or at the opening of your blog article.

List of 10 Affiliate Link Disclosure Examples

1. TGLB

TGLB places its affiliate disclosure well. It puts the notice on the website’s footer. It keeps the disclaimer short and includes a link to contact the editor.

2. Popular Science

Take guidance from Popular Science’s full disclosure page if you want to make sure you’re making an informed decision before clicking on any links while reading an article. It informs you that the website makes a commission if you buy something from the associated website and explains how they choose affiliate items and services.

3. Nerdwallet

This buying guide you’re about to read comes with a little disclaimer at the top. It’s placed just below the snazzy title and introduction but before the table of contents. And what does it say, you ask? Well, it’s a straightforward declaration that NerdWallet is getting paid for including most, if not all, of the products in the article. And get this, the compensation they receive may sway how these products are talked about and presented.

Note: If you are new to the affiliate world, then it is really hard to find channels to promote affiliate links. Affiliate websites can be one of the most affordable and effective channels for beginners. Look at our “How to build an affiliate website” guide and create your affiliate website today.

4. Lucie’s List

Let’s use the example of an article about the best books on pregnancy on Lucie’s List website. While there is an affiliate disclosure banner at the top of the site, the article itself does not have one. Lucie’s List explains that they are able to keep the site ad-free because readers buy through their affiliate links. This creates an incentive for readers to use the affiliate links, which is okay if the site didn’t use the Amazon affiliate program. However, it does use the Amazon program, and therefore, the site-wide affiliate banner may not be conspicuous enough to meet FTC guidelines, nor does it comply with Amazon’s affiliate program terms.

5. The Beauty Look Book

The Beauty Look Book has got a nifty trick for adding an affiliate link disclosure to your sidebar that’s both easy to read and sticky. With this handy tool, their readers will know every time they check out their content.

6. Techradar

TechRadar‘s disclosure is comprehensive and effectively covers all the key aspects. Their disclosure is strategically positioned right above the fold, straight to the point, and tells you everything you need to know.

Not only that, but they also include a handy link for those who crave more information.

7. The Shop Files

The Shop Files disclosure has made it super easy for readers to find by placing it front and center. Plus, they don’t beat around the bush – they’re straight up with their audience about the affiliate links on the page. Also they’ve personally vetted all the products they recommend, giving readers peace of mind.

They don’t waste any time with unnecessary things either. Instead, they get straight to the point: “I use these products and if you buy them, I’ll earn a small commission.” It’s that simple!

8. PeopleManagingPeople

PeopleManagingPeople is a website that’s setting the bar high for transparency and honesty in affiliate marketing. Their full-page disclosure is a shining example of how to do it right. Not only do they explain the ins and outs of affiliate relationships, but they also provide examples of the programs they participate in.
They only endorse products and services they genuinely believe in and have personally tried and understand that transparency is key to building a loyal audience.

9. DanFlyingSolo

Dan Flying Solo has aced the affiliate disclosure game! He knows how to catch the reader’s attention right off the bat by placing his disclosure at the beginning of his blog post. It’s crystal clear, easy to spot, and most importantly, appears before any of his affiliate links.

10. DealnTeach

Let me tell you about a fantastic example of transparency that you won’t want to miss! Dealntech has set the bar high by openly disclosing that they earn a commission through affiliate links when users click on them and make a purchase. They go above and beyond by clarifying that they only promote products that align with their values and that are truly beneficial to their readers.

Conclusion

Affiliate disclosure is an essential aspect of online marketing. It’s a statement that lets your visitors know that you might receive some compensation if they purchase a product or service using an affiliate link on your site.

But how can you make sure your affiliate disclosure is easy to understand? First off, use language that’s clear and straightforward. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point. Make it personal, so your visitors can relate to you. And, of course, explain it in a way that’s easy to understand.

Feel free to use your affiliate disclosure in multiple places on your site. The more visible it is, the better. And avoid any distracting elements that might remove its importance.

So, there you have it! By following these tips, you can make your affiliate disclosure a breeze for your visitors to understand. Here’s to ethical online marketing!

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