Nobody wakes up excited to write an affiliate disclosure. You add one because you should, and then you worry it’ll scare people off.
Good news, a clear disclosure doesn’t have to cost you sales. In fact, when it’s placed well and written like a normal human, it can increase trust and keep readers moving toward the link.
This guide gives you affiliate disclosure examples you can copy, in different voice styles and lengths, plus placement tips for mobile, buttons, and comparison tables.
What the FTC actually wants (in plain language)
As of January 2026, the FTC’s Endorsement Guides (last updated June 2023) are still the main standard: if you have a “material connection” to a product you recommend, you disclose it. Affiliate commissions count.
The two words that matter most are clear and conspicuous. That means a typical reader should notice the disclosure easily and understand it fast, without hunting for it or decoding vague wording. The official source is the FTC’s Endorsement Guides, and the legal framework sits under 16 CFR Part 255.
In practice, “clear and conspicuous” usually means:
- Put the disclosure before or right next to affiliate links, not buried at the bottom.
- Use plain words like “I earn a commission,” not fuzzy phrases.
- Make it hard to miss on mobile, where people skim fast.
Placement that keeps clicks (mobile-first rules)
Think of your disclosure like a road sign. If it shows up after the turn, it’s useless.
Here’s what tends to work best without interrupting the read:
1) Put one disclosure near the top, before the first affiliate link.
A short line under your intro is often enough for posts with multiple links, as long as it’s visible before the first recommendation.
2) Repeat mini-disclosures where the buying action happens.
If your post has a “Top Pick” box, a pricing table, or multiple buttons, add a tight disclosure right in that block. Readers may scroll straight to it.
3) Design for thumbs, not cursors.
On mobile, disclosures get skipped when they’re:
- in tiny font,
- pushed into a sidebar (often hidden on mobile),
- placed below a big comparison table.
4) Buttons and CTAs need special attention.
A reader can tap a button without reading the paragraph above it. Add a one-liner directly above the button (or in the same CTA box). Short is fine, as long as it’s clear.
If you publish on multiple platforms (blog, newsletter, social), disclosure expectations vary by format. A practical cross-platform overview is this FTC disclosure checklist by platform, which is helpful when you’re adapting the same promo to email and social posts.
Swipe-file: affiliate disclosure examples you can copy
Use these as written, or tweak to match your voice. The goal is simple: say you may earn money, and put it where people will see it.
Universal one-liners (best for intros, above the fold, or CTA boxes)
Friendly, 1 line
Best for: blogs and newsletters where you want a warm tone.
I use affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Neutral, 1 line
Best for: comparison posts and “best of” lists.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you purchase.
Direct, 1 line
Best for: short attention spans, coupon posts, button-heavy layouts.
If you buy through my link, I get paid.
Two-line disclosures (best for posts with lots of links)
Friendly, 2 lines
Best for: review blogs that want trust without sounding stiff.
Some links below are affiliate links.
If you purchase, I may earn a commission, and it helps support this site.
Neutral, 2 lines
Best for: roundup posts and buyer guides.
This article contains affiliate links.
Commissions help fund testing and updates, your price stays the same.
Direct, 2 lines
Best for: “skip the fluff” audiences.
Affiliate disclosure: I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks for supporting my work.
Short paragraph disclosures (best for review pages and “methodology” sections)
Friendly paragraph
Best for: detailed product reviews where readers care about how you test.
Affiliate disclosure: If you buy through links in this post, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I’d use myself, and commissions don’t change what I say, they just help keep the site running.
Neutral paragraph
Best for: “best X for Y” content where you want a clean, professional tone.
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may receive a commission. Recommendations are based on my criteria and research, not on commission rates.
Scenario-specific scripts (reviews, roundups, coupons, and buttons)
Product review disclosure scripts
Best for: single-product reviews with pros, cons, and a “Buy” button.
- Friendly: Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through my link, but my review is based on my real experience.
- Neutral: This review contains affiliate links. If you purchase, I may receive a commission at no added cost to you.
- Direct: Affiliate link below, I get paid if you buy.
Tip: place one disclosure near the top, then a one-liner again right above the first “Check price” button.
Roundups and “best of” list disclosures
Best for: “best email tools,” “top hosting,” “X alternatives” posts.
- Friendly: Heads up, some picks include affiliate links, which help support this site if you decide to buy.
- Neutral: Some recommendations are affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you purchase.
- Direct: These are affiliate links. I may earn money if you buy.
Tip: if you have a comparison table, add a small disclosure line in the table intro, plus another above any “Get started” buttons.
Coupon and discount post disclosures
Best for: “coupon code,” “deal,” “discount link” posts, where readers click fast.
- Friendly: Deal note: if you use my link, I may earn a commission, your discount stays the same.
- Neutral: Disclosure: I may receive compensation if you use the link or code in this post.
- Direct: If you use this deal link, I get paid.
Tip: put the disclosure immediately above the coupon code or button, not at the bottom after the terms.
Buttons and CTA blocks (micro-copy that doesn’t tank conversions)
Best for: any post with big buttons, product boxes, or a “Top Pick” callout.
- Above-button friendly: Affiliate link, I may earn a commission if you buy (no extra cost).
- Above-button neutral: Disclosure: Affiliate link. I may earn a commission if you purchase.
- Inside the CTA box direct: Paid link (affiliate).
Keep it short, keep it close. The click is happening there.
Amazon Associates specific disclosure
If you use Amazon affiliate links, Amazon requires a specific statement. The exact requirement is explained in Amazon’s help doc, Why do I have to identify myself as an Associate?, and supported by the broader Associates Program Policies.
Commonly used wording (place near Amazon links):
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Phrases that lose trust (and what to say instead)
Readers don’t mind commissions, they mind feeling tricked. Avoid vague language like:
- “This post may contain affiliate links.”
- “Some links could be sponsored.”
- “Links are for your convenience.”
Better options:
- “If you buy through my link, I may earn a commission.”
- “I earn from qualifying purchases.”
- “Affiliate links are included below.”
Clarity reads honest, and honest converts.
Quick compliance checklist (save this)
Before you publish, scan this list:
- Disclosure appears before the first affiliate link on mobile.
- Disclosure uses plain words (commission, paid, affiliate), not vague phrasing.
- Disclosure is readable (normal font size, not light gray, not hidden).
- “Money moment” blocks (tables, buttons, top-pick boxes) include a nearby one-liner.
- If you received a free product or discount, you disclose that too.
- Platform requirements are met (example: Amazon’s Associate statement where needed).
Conclusion
Affiliate disclosures don’t have to feel like a speed bump. Place them where readers actually look, use plain language, and repeat a short line near buttons and tables. The best disclosures are easy to notice and quick to understand, then they get out of the way. Copy a script from the swipe-file above, match it to your post type, and make it part of your template so you never forget it again.