How to Use Affiliate Links Honestly (and Stay Compliant)

Affiliate income has a bad reputation because of how it is usually done, not because of what it is. If you would recommend something to a friend for free, being paid a commission does not make the recommendation dishonest — hiding the commission does.

Disclose before the link, not after the page

US Federal Trade Commission guidance asks for disclosures that are clear, conspicuous and hard to miss — placed close to the recommendation, in plain language, not buried in a footer or hidden behind a "more" link. In practice that means a short line above the links, on every page that carries them, in the same size text as the rest of the page.

Say it in words a reader would use

• ◆"Some links on this page are paid affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you."
• ◆Avoid jargon like "monetised partner placements" — it technically discloses and practically hides.
• ◆Repeat the disclosure on each page rather than relying on a single policy page.

Only recommend what you can describe specifically

A specific recommendation is its own honesty test. If you cannot say what you used it for, what it costs, and who should skip it, you do not know the product well enough to recommend it. Say what it is not good for — that single habit does more for trust than any badge.

Never imply earnings you cannot back up

Income claims, testimonials and before-and-after numbers carry extra scrutiny, and rightly so. If you have not measured it, do not publish it. If a result came from unusual circumstances, say so next to the result, not in a disclaimer three pages away.

This is general information written from published FTC guidance, not legal advice. If your business relies on affiliate income, have a professional review your disclosures.