Disclaimer for Affiliate Sites
A disclaimer that meets the FTC 16 CFR Part 255 standard — clear and conspicuous material-connection disclosures, not buried-in-the-footer boilerplate.
- Meets the FTC "clear and conspicuous" standard
- Material-connection language for affiliate + sponsored + testimonial content
- Results disclaimer for products with variable outcomes
The FTC enforces 16 CFR Part 255 (Endorsement Guides) on affiliate and sponsored content — and the standard is "clear and conspicuous", which means near the link, not in the footer. A standalone disclaimer page helps but does not substitute for inline disclosure at the point of recommendation. This page generates a disclaimer for the affiliate site itself plus guidance on the inline disclosures the FTC actually wants to see. The most common failure mode — affiliate disclosure buried in a footer link — has been the basis of multiple FTC warning letters in the last several years.
Disclosures that matter for affiliate site.
Material-connection disclosure
Per FTC 16 CFR Part 255.5: "Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you." Must appear in the disclaimer AND near each affiliate link.
Placement guidance
Per FTC enforcement: footer-only disclosure does not meet the standard. The disclosure must be where a reasonable consumer would notice it BEFORE clicking the affiliate link — inline before the link, or at the top of the post for affiliate-heavy articles.
Sponsored content disclosure
If you accept payment for content (sponsored posts, brand partnerships), additional disclosure required at the start of the post: "Sponsored by [brand]" or "This post is sponsored by [brand]". Standalone footer is not sufficient.
Results disclaimer for testimonials
If you feature testimonials or results claims (especially for income, weight loss, results-driven products): "Results are not typical; individual results will vary." Required by FTC when results are featured.
No-warranty / accuracy language
Standard "we make reasonable efforts to ensure accuracy but do not warrant" plus a reliance-at-your-own-risk clause for the product recommendations.
Independent-opinion statement
Statement that affiliate relationships do not influence editorial opinion. (Helpful for trust; not required, but standard for credible affiliate sites.)
Where affiliate site policies usually go wrong.
Footer-only affiliate disclosure
Most common FTC violation. Disclosure has to be where the reasonable consumer would see it before clicking — near the link, or at the top of the post for affiliate-heavy content. Footer doesn't cut it.
Vague affiliate language
"This site may contain affiliate links" is weak. FTC wants concrete: "If you click this link and buy, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you." Specificity matters.
No sponsored-content disclosure
Paid partnerships disclosed only in the disclaimer or in a vague "partnerships" page. FTC requires inline disclosure at the start of the sponsored post — "Sponsored by [brand]" or similar.
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