The Disclosure Most Affiliate Bloggers Get Wrong
The first time I added affiliate links to my blog, I tucked a disclosure line in size-10 grey text at the bottom of my About page. I figured nobody would read it, but the link was technically there. That was my whole compliance strategy.
Three years later I learned that this is exactly the kind of disclosure the FTC writes warning letters about. Not because the disclosure was missing, but because it was hidden. The rule is not have a disclosure. The rule is have a clear and conspicuous disclosure where the reader can actually see it before they click. There is a difference, and that difference is what separates a compliant blog from a problem.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Affiliate marketing exploded after 2020. Regulators noticed. The FTC has updated its endorsement guides twice in the past few years, and other countries followed. The UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU all now have affiliate disclosure rules with real teeth. Fines for non-compliance start at five figures and go up. Most bloggers will never be fined. But the warning letters are real, and the legal cost of fixing things after a complaint is much higher than getting it right from day one.
What a Real Disclosure Needs
A compliant disclosure is three things. First, clear — it has to actually say that affiliate links exist and that you earn money from them. Vague phrases like "supported by partners" do not cut it. Second, conspicuous — it has to be visible before the reader clicks the affiliate link, not buried in the footer. Third, plain language — written so a normal reader gets it, not a paragraph of legalese they will scroll past.
The FTC has been pretty explicit that disclosures buried at the bottom of a page do not meet the conspicuous standard. The disclosure should appear at or near the top of the post, ideally before the first affiliate link.
The Three Types of Disclosure I Use
For a single blog post, I use a one-line disclosure at the top: "This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you." That is it. Five seconds to read. Impossible to miss.
For my homepage and About page, I use a paragraph version that explains the affiliate relationships in more detail. Which programs I am part of. What that means for the reader. Why I disclose.
For my dedicated Affiliate Disclosure page (linked from the footer), I use the long version. This is the one that covers the FTC compliance requirements thoroughly, names the specific programs I participate in, and explains my editorial independence.
How I Use This Generator
When I launch a new niche site, this tool is the first thing I open. I fill in the site name, pick the programs I am using, set the tone to match the site's voice, and generate. I get the short, medium, and long versions all at once.
The short version goes at the top of every post that contains affiliate links. The medium version sits in my homepage sidebar. The long version becomes my dedicated Affiliate Disclosure page in the footer. Total time: about ten minutes for a complete compliance setup.
The Amazon-Specific Rule
If you are an Amazon Associate, there is one rule you cannot skip. Amazon requires you to include the exact wording: "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." The wording matters. Paraphrasing it does not satisfy their terms of service, and they have actually banned accounts for using slightly different wording. The generator includes this exact phrase automatically when you pick Amazon programs.
One Thing I Cannot Stress Enough
This tool gives you templates. It does not give you legal advice. If your business is large, complex, or operates in multiple countries, talk to a lawyer who specialises in affiliate compliance. The cost of a one-hour consultation is a fraction of the cost of getting it wrong.
For most small bloggers, the templates here are a solid starting point. Use them. Display them prominently. Update them when your affiliate relationships change. That is the bare minimum, and it is enough for most situations.