I’m putting together a blog and want to make sure I’m handling affiliate disclosures the right way - can anyone share some real examples of how you word your disclosures, where exactly you place them on the page, and whether you’ve found certain styles work better for keeping readers’ trust while still staying FTC compliant?
A few FTC-safe disclosure templates I’ve used (and seen convert fine) are below—key is “clear + conspicuous” (plain language, near the link, not buried), and I typically test placements for CTR + RPM impact in GA4/Looker while staying compliant.
Copy/paste disclosure examples (bloggers)
1) Short inline (best for trust + compliance)
- “(Affiliate link) If you buy through this link, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
- “Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links.”
2) Slightly more transparent (higher trust, good for reviews)
- “Some links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you choose to buy—this helps fund the site. I only recommend products I’ve tested or researched.”
3) Strong “review” style (when you’re comparing products)
- “Affiliate disclosure: I may receive compensation if you purchase via links on this page. Compensation does not influence my rankings; my opinions are my own.”
4) Email/newsletter style (if you repurpose content)
- “This email may contain affiliate links. If you purchase, I may earn a commission at no cost to you.”
Where to place them (what’s actually defensible)
- Above the fold or immediately under the H1/intro on any post with affiliate links (my default on money pages).
- Right before the first affiliate link/button (especially on mobile where people scroll fast).
- Near comparison tables/CTA blocks (e.g., under “Check price” buttons).
- Optional: a sitewide disclosure page in your footer, but don’t rely on it as the only disclosure.
Styles that work without hurting conversions
- Keep it one sentence, not legalese; avoid vague wording like “may contain links.”
- Don’t hide it in a footer, accordion, or tiny font; I match body font size and use a subtle callout box.
- Use consistent labeling: I often tag links with “(affiliate)” on high-intent pages; it can slightly reduce CTR in some niches, but it materially reduces compliance risk.
If you share your niche and whether you do “best X” roundups vs single-product reviews, I can recommend the highest-performing placement pattern (I’ve seen different CTR deltas depending on intent and device mix).