Affiliate Disclosure Guide 2025: For Beginners

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Want to stay out of trouble while earning commissions online?
In 2025, affiliate marketers are under more scrutiny than ever before. With regulations tightening globally — from the FTC in the U.S. to GDPR guidelines in Europe — clear, honest affiliate disclosures are no longer optional. They’re essential for trust, transparency, and legal compliance.

But what exactly does a good affiliate disclosure look like? Where should you put it? And how do you make it clear without sounding awkward or salesy?

Let’s break it down.

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🔍 Why Affiliate Disclosures Matter in 2025

Affiliate disclosures aren’t just about ticking legal boxes — they help you build credibility with your audience. By being transparent about your commissions, you’re showing you have nothing to hide. This improves trust and can actually increase your conversions.

• FTC enforcement is on the rise
  In 2025, the FTC is actively cracking down on influencers and marketers who fail to disclose paid relationships.
• Trust leads to higher conversions
  Readers appreciate honesty. Disclosing your affiliate links upfront creates a sense of openness — and long-term audience loyalty.
• It’s required by most affiliate programs
  Platforms like Amazon, ShareASale, and PartnerStack all require public disclosure in your content.

🧠 Want to know why trust is key to conversions?
See: 3 Ways to Build Trust in Affiliate Marketing

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✅ What Should a Disclosure Include?

At minimum, your affiliate disclosure should:

• Clearly state that you earn a commission if users click a link and make a purchase
• Use plain language — no legal jargon
• Be visible before or alongside your first affiliate link
• Include disclosures on every page or post that uses affiliate links

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📝 Affiliate Disclosure Examples You Can Use

Here are beginner-friendly templates you can copy and adapt:

📌 Example 1: Blog Post Intro

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used or believe will add value.

📌 Example 2: Site-Wide Footer

Some links on this site are affiliate links. As an affiliate partner, I may earn from qualifying purchases.

📌 Example 3: Short In-Content

[Affiliate link] This is an affiliate link — I may earn a commission if you purchase.

You can also include a full Affiliate Disclosure Page — and link to it from your footer or About page.

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📍 Where Should You Put Your Disclosure?

Place your disclosure above or very close to your first affiliate link in every post. You should also:

• Add a site-wide disclaimer in your footer
• Include it in email newsletters with affiliate links
• Mention verbally in YouTube videos or podcasts

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⚙️ Tools That Can Help

Use affiliate plugins like:

• Pretty Links – manage and cloak affiliate links
• ThirstyAffiliates – includes auto-disclosure options

🛠️ Learn how to scale your affiliate strategy:
Track and Optimize Affiliate Performance in 2025

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🧾 Final Thoughts

Don’t treat disclosures as a burden — they’re a trust-building tool. When done right, they show your professionalism and protect your business from future risks. Better to disclose clearly now than face consequences later.

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