How to write an affiliate disclosure

You publish your first review with an affiliate link inside. The product section reads well. The recommendation feels honest. Then you stare at a blank space wondering what to write in the disclosure box without sounding like a lawyer or scaring the reader away.

Most new affiliates overthink this step. A good affiliate disclosure is short, direct, and visible. It does not need legal jargon. It does not need to apologize for earning a living. It needs to tell the truth in language a normal person understands before they click your link. Here is how to write one.

What should an affiliate disclosure say?

Cover three points in one or two sentences. You link to products. You may earn a commission. The reader pays the same price whether they use your link or not.

Plain version: "Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you."

That sentence hits every requirement without clutter. Adjust the voice to match your site. A casual blog might use "I" while a business site might use "we."

Where do you put the disclosure?

Top of the article, before the first affiliate link, is the safest placement. A short box or bold introductory line works well.

Inside the introduction paragraph is another common approach. "This review contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them."

For video or audio content, state the disclosure early in the recording and include it in the description text below.

Affiliate disclosure examples you can adapt

Short form for reviews: "Transparency note: I earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. You pay the same price either way."

Comparison article version: "This comparison includes affiliate links. I may receive compensation when you purchase through these links at no additional charge."

Email version: "Disclosure: This email contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from purchases made through them."

Pick one template and use it consistently across your site. Consistency helps returning readers recognize your standard notice.

Keep the tone friendly. A disclosure does not need to sound formal or legal. Write it the way you would tell a friend you might earn something from a recommendation.

If you have not read the conceptual overview yet, start with what is an affiliate disclosure. For promotion habits that pair with honest disclosures, see how to promote affiliate products without being spammy.

Frequently asked questions