Amazon Affiliate Disclosures: FTC-Compliant Examples
An affiliate disclosure is not a legal-formality paragraph buried at the bottom of a page. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission says a material connection between an endorser and a marketer should be disclosed clearly and conspicuously when consumers would not expect it and it could affect how they evaluate the recommendation.
For affiliate marketing, the FTC gives a direct example: if readers click links and buy from a retailer, and you earn a commission, disclose the relationship. One suggested wording is, "I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post."
Amazon also requires Associates to comply with its program policies and disclose the relationship. Exact wording can vary, but the goal is the same: the reader should understand that your recommendation can financially benefit you.
What Clear and Conspicuous Means
| Principle | What to Do | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Put disclosure above the first affiliate link or near the recommendation | Footer only |
| Readability | Normal font, readable contrast, same language as article | Tiny gray text |
| Clarity | Say commission, affiliate link, or paid partnership | "Partner" or "collab" alone |
| Proximity | Keep it near the recommendation | Put it only in comments or an FAQ |
| Every medium | Use visual disclosure for video, audible for audio | Description-only video disclosure |
| Every ad | Disclose in each post that requires it | Assume one global page disclosure is enough |
The FTC does not provide a single safe-harbor phrase for every context. It evaluates whether ordinary readers are likely to notice and understand the disclosure.
Blog Page Template
Place this before the first recommendation, not after the article:
"Affiliate disclosure: some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you."
Then keep the first affiliate link below that disclosure. If your article has multiple product sections and readers may land directly on a section, repeat a short disclosure near the section links.
| Page Section | Disclosure Needed | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | Yes, if links appear | Full affiliate disclosure |
| Comparison table | Yes | "This table contains affiliate links" |
| Single review | Yes | Disclosure above the verdict |
| FAQ with links | Yes if links are present | Short disclosure above FAQ |
| Footer | Optional supplement | Not enough alone |
YouTube Video Template
For a YouTube product recommendation, the FTC warns that a description-only disclosure may not be enough because viewers can watch without reading it. If the endorsement is visual, disclose visually. If it is audible, disclose audibly. If both, both formats are safer.
Use this script:
"This video contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission."
Then place the same statement:
- visually in the first seconds or when the recommendation appears
- audibly in the narration
- again in the description near the links
For an on-screen disclosure, make it large enough to read on a phone and keep it visible long enough for a normal viewer.
Pinterest and Social Media
Platform tools can help, but they do not automatically satisfy your responsibility. Use your own disclosure in the pin or destination page.
If the same article is republished or syndicated, carry the disclosure with it. A disclosure on the original site does not help a reader who encounters a repost without links back to the policy. Syndicated versions should place the same affiliate notice above the first recommendation, even when the layout, publisher, or platform changes.
Keep a disclosure log with the page URL, version date, exact wording, and reviewer so compliance does not decay as templates change.
| Platform | Better Practice | Weak Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Clear disclosure on the pin or bridge page near links | Only a bio disclosure | |
| Threads | Put disclosure at the beginning of the promotional post | End of a long thread |
| Bluesky | Include disclosure before the link | Hidden in a reply |
| Disclose near the recommendation | Only in comments | |
| Put disclosure before the first link | Unsubscribe area only |
For short posts, "Affiliate link:" followed by the recommendation is clearer than a hashtag alone.
Wording Patterns That Work
| Context | Clear Wording |
|---|---|
| General article | "This article contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission." |
| Amazon page | "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases." |
| YouTube | "This video includes affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission." |
| Comparison page | "The links in this comparison table are affiliate links." |
| Newsletter | "Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission." |
| Social post | "Affiliate link: if you buy through this, I may earn a commission." |
Combine your Amazon statement with a general affiliate statement when the page also links to other merchants.
Disclosure Quality Checklist
| Check | Pass Standard |
|---|---|
| Above first link | Disclosure appears before the first affiliate recommendation |
| Readable | Same font family, readable size, strong contrast |
| Understandable | Mentions commission or affiliate relationship |
| Medium matched | Visual and audible where required |
| Close to recommendation | Same viewport or section |
| Repeated when needed | Repeated on long pages or landing sections |
| Not platform-dependent | Does not rely only on a platform toggle |
| Accurate | Matches the links actually used |
Common Mistakes
Using only #affiliate. Some readers understand it, but not all. "Affiliate link: I may earn a commission" is clearer.
Putting disclosure in comments. The FTC says comments can be easily avoided and are not clear and conspicuous.
Relying only on a global site policy. A privacy page does not disclose the specific commercial relationship beside a recommendation.
Using tiny text. Readability includes font size, contrast, and competing elements.
Disclosing after the buy button. The reader should see the relationship before clicking.
Treating platform labels as sufficient. Platform tools may help, but the FTC evaluates whether the disclosure actually works for the viewer.
Good disclosure does not reduce trust. It clarifies the arrangement and protects your credibility. Put it where the recommendation happens, use plain words, and keep it as professional as the review itself.