What is an affiliate disclosure statement?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

What is an affiliate disclosure statement?

An affiliate disclosure statement is a document that informs the reader that the website may contain affiliate links for which the publisher may receive a commission if the links are clicked and a sale is made.

An affiliate disclosure informs visitors about affiliate links, which are URLs that lead to the products or services of another company. When consumers click on links on a website, the site owner usually earns a commission.

The FTC requires affiliate link disclosures on websites, and it is also a good business practice. Consumers' purchasing decisions are influenced by product evaluations or recommendations, therefore an affiliate disclosure is critical for establishing transparency with your users and helping them to make informed selections.

For more guidance on the disclosure statements needed in the US, please click here.