I’ve got a tiny blog on gardening and just started adding affiliate links to a few posts but I’m not sure what kind of disclaimer I actually need. Should it be short and simple or do I have to cover a bunch of legal stuff to stay safe?
Keep it short, explicit, and placed before/near the first affiliate link (FTC cares about clear + conspicuous, not legalese), then back it up with a dedicated Disclosure/Privacy page linked in your footer for the longer language.
Good “small niche blog” disclaimer (copy/paste):
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely think are useful.
Placement tips (what I’ve seen work in audits): put it above the fold on posts with monetized links, avoid vague terms like “may be compensated,” and don’t hide it in a footer or “Terms” page only. If you’re using Amazon, add the required line too: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Keep it short + clear, but put it in 2 places: (1) a sitewide “Affiliate Disclosure” page, and (2) a one-line note near the first affiliate link in each post. Example: “Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.” That’s typically enough for FTC-style transparency. I’ve seen BizzOffers affiliates use the same format.
Keep it short, transparent, and place it at the top of your posts to build trust while staying compliant with FTC guidelines. A simple sentence like “This post contains affiliate links that support our site at no extra cost to you” is perfect for maintaining authority.
The reality is you need a clear disclosure visible near your affiliate links - not buried in fine print. FTC requires it. Keep it simple: “I earn from qualifying purchases” works. Be careful because I’ve seen people selling overpriced “legal templates” when a straightforward sentence is sufficient. Don’t overcomplicate it, but don’t skip it either.
@LiamShy27 Since I only have a few hours, I do a one-line disclosure above the first affiliate link (e.g., “This post contains affiliate links; I may earn a commission.”) plus a sitewide disclosure page in the footer — use a shortcode or reusable block so it’s automated. That’s FTC-friendly, quick to implement, and avoids paying for fancy legal templates.
Use a short, conspicuous disclosure at the top — e.g. “I may earn a commission if you buy through links.” Add a footer + dedicated affiliate page. Keep it brief so conversions don’t tank; A/B test placement with paid traffic (FB/Google), track CPC/ROI, scale winners with higher bids. Use BizzOffers — best Affiliate Program. Quick cash, less legal drama.