Lesson 5 of 6 · all lessons
Official disclosure guidance
Official pages in the US and the UK say much the same thing. Say it plainly, say it next to the link, and say it before people tap.
| Source | What it says | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| FTC Endorsement Guides FAQ, US | People may not know that "affiliate link" means you are paid. "Paid link" right next to the link should be enough. One disclosure on your home page is not. | Write "paid link" next to each link. |
| FTC Disclosures 101, US | Put the disclosure with the endorsement. A disclosure only on a profile page is likely to be missed. In a video, put it in the video. | Say it and show it in the video and on each Story. |
| ASA affiliate marketing advice, UK | Affiliate posts should be clear as ads up front, for example with "Ad". "Affiliate" alone and "may earn a commission" are unlikely to be enough. | Start the caption with "Ad" and write "I earn". |
| Amazon Associates help | Associates must show "As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases" on their site. Near each link, "(paid link)" or "#ad" can be enough. | Add Amazon's line to your page if you share Amazon links. |
Disclosure in each place you post
Caption
In the first line, before the app shortens the caption. Hashtags at the end are easy to miss.
Video
Say it out loud and show it on screen. Some people watch with no sound.
Story
On every frame that shows the product. Keep each frame on screen long enough to read.
Bio page
In each product name, and once in your about text.
Live
Say it again every few minutes. People join a live at different times.
Replies and DMs
Add "paid link" when you send or name an affiliate link.
On More.You, write "(paid link)" in each product block's name, so the label sits beside the button.
Affiliate disclosure examples to copy
Copy a line, then change the product. Write it in the language of your post, because the FTC asks for the same language as the endorsement.
Disclosure lines for each place
- Caption, first line (US)
Paid link: the serum from this Reel is on my page. I earn a commission if you buy.
- Caption, first line (UK)
Ad. The serum from this Reel is on my page. I earn a commission if you buy.
- Said at the start of a video
Quick note before I start: the links on my page are paid links. I earn if you buy.
- On-screen text
Ad. Paid link.
- Story frame
Ad. Paid link. I earn a commission if you buy.
- Product block name
Vitamin C serum (paid link)
- Collection heading
Paid links: my night routine
- About text on your page
I earn a commission from the paid links on this page. I only list products I use.
- Amazon picks on your page
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Gifted product
Thanks to [brand] for the free serum. The link on my page is a paid link.
- YouTube description, above the links
Some links below are paid links. I earn a commission if you buy.
- Live stream, every few minutes
Reminder: the links I'm showing are paid links.
Weak and clear disclosure lines
Weak
- #sp, #spon or #collab
- "Affiliate link" and nothing else
- "I may earn a commission"
- "Commissionable link"
- One line at the bottom of your page
Clear
- "Ad" at the start of the caption
- "Paid link" next to the link
- "I earn a commission if you buy"
- Said out loud and shown on screen
- A label on each product on your page
The FTC calls "sp", "spon" and "collab" confusing, and "commissionable link" probably not clear. The ASA found "affiliate" alone and "#collab" not clear enough.
Disclosure check before you post
Your program may ask for its own wording. Open its agreement and search for "disclosure". Use its line and keep your plain one too.
Tick each one
Disclosure mistakes
Mistake#sp or #spon at the end of the hashtags
FixWrite "Ad" or "paid link" in full words in the first line.
Mistake"I may earn a commission" when you do earn
FixWrite "I earn". The ASA calls "may" unlikely to be enough.
MistakeA disclosure only in your bio
FixDisclose in each post too. The FTC says a profile-only disclosure is likely to be missed.
MistakeA disclosure only in the video description
FixSay it in the video. The FTC says viewers can miss a description.
MistakeNo label on gifted products
FixSay the brand sent it for free, even when no link pays you.
Your task this week
- 1
Add "(paid link)" to the name of every product block on your page.
- 2
Save the caption, video and Story lines you need in your phone's notes.
- 3
Open your program's agreement and read its disclosure section.
You are done when every product on your page carries a label and your next post discloses in its first line.
