FTC Disclosure Requirements for Redio Affiliates

Your Guide to Legal Affiliate Marketing

Why Disclosures Matter

When you promote products as an affiliate and earn commissions, U.S. law requires you to disclose this relationship to your audience. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces these rules to protect consumers from deceptive advertising.

Bottom Line: You must tell people you earn money when they buy through your links.

Who this applies to:

✅ U.S.-based affiliates
✅ International affiliates promoting to U.S. consumers
✅ Anyone earning commission on sales, clicks, or leads
✅ All platforms: blogs, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, email, etc.

The FTC’s Core Rule

“When there exists a connection between the endorser and the seller of the advertised product that might materially affect the weight or credibility of the endorsement, such connection must be fully disclosed.”

In Plain English: If you’re getting paid to promote something, say so clearly before people buy.

What Counts as “Material Connection”

You have a material connection if you receive:

✅ Commission on sales (that’s you!)
✅ Free products to review
✅ Discount codes or special pricing
✅ Payment for posts or content
✅ Affiliate bonuses or contests
✅ Trips, events, or experiences
✅ Any other benefit from the brand

Even tiny amounts count. There’s no minimum threshold. A $1 commission requires disclosure just like a $1,000 commission.

The 4 Ps of Good Disclosure

The FTC uses this framework to evaluate disclosures:

1. Prominence

Your disclosure must be noticeable and easy to read:

✅ Same font size as other text (or larger)
✅ Contrasting color that stands out
✅ Not hidden in walls of text
❌ Tiny font or light gray on white background
❌ Hidden in “Read more” or collapsed text

2. Presentation

Use clear, simple language that anyone can understand:

✅ “I earn a commission if you buy through this link”
✅ “This is an affiliate link - I get paid if you purchase”
✅ “#ad” or “#affiliate”
❌ “Partner” (too vague)
❌ “Thanks to X for support” (unclear)
❌ Industry jargon or technical terms

3. Placement

Disclosure must be where people will see it:

✅ BEFORE the affiliate link
✅ Top of blog posts
✅ Beginning of videos (first 30 seconds)
✅ In social media captions (not just comments)
✅ Email text before first link
❌ Bottom of page or footer only
❌ Separate “disclosure policy” page only
❌ After the affiliate link

4. Proximity

Disclosure must be near the claim or link:

✅ Right before or next to the affiliate link
✅ If multiple links, disclose at the top AND near links
✅ Visual connection (reader can see both together)
❌ Far away from the link
❌ Requiring scrolling to find disclosure

Platform-Specific Disclosure Examples

📝 Blog Posts / Websites

Good Examples:

**Disclosure:** This post contains affiliate links. If you make a
purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost
to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and believe in.

[Rest of your blog post...]

Check out this amazing product [affiliate link]

<!-- At top of post, in a highlighted box -->
<div style="background: #fff3cd; padding: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
  <strong>Full Disclosure:</strong> This article includes affiliate links. I
  earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which helps
  support this website at no cost to you.
</div>

Bad Examples:

Disclosure only in footer
Hidden in “Privacy Policy” or separate page
After all the affiliate links
Tiny text at the very bottom

📺 YouTube Videos

Good Examples:

Verbal Disclosure (first 30 seconds):

“Hey everyone! Quick disclosure before we start: This video contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Alright, let’s dive in!”

Visual Overlay:

Text overlay on screen for 5+ seconds at video start
“⚠️ Affiliate Links - I earn commission on purchases”

Description:

⚠️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
This video contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these
links, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Product links:
🔗 Product 1: [link] (affiliate)
🔗 Product 2: [link] (affiliate)

Bad Examples:

Disclosure only in description (viewers may not read it)
Mentioning it at the very end of video
Using unclear terms like “partnered with”

📱 Instagram / TikTok

Good Examples:

Caption (top):

#ad | Loving this new product from @brand!

I'm an affiliate partner, so I earn a commission if you shop
through my link in bio. But I genuinely use and recommend it!

[Link in bio] 👆

Stories:

[Image of product]

Text overlay: "#ad - Affiliate Link"
or
"I earn commission on purchases ✨"

Important for Instagram/TikTok:

✅ #ad or #affiliate in FIRST 3 hashtags
✅ In caption, not just comments (comments can get buried)
✅ Don’t rely on platform’s “Paid Partnership” tag alone - still disclose

Bad Examples:

Hashtags only: “#partner” (too vague)
Disclosure buried after 20 other hashtags
Disclosure only in comments
Using unclear terms

🐦 Twitter / X

Good Examples:

#ad Just tried this amazing product!
🔗 [affiliate link]
(I earn commission if you purchase)

Full disclosure: This is an affiliate link. I get a small
commission if you buy, but it costs you nothing extra.
Genuinely recommend it! 🔗 [link]

Bad Examples:

Link only with no disclosure
Disclosure in a reply tweet (followers may not see it)

📧 Email Newsletters

Good Examples:

Subject: My favorite productivity tools

Hi everyone!

Quick heads up: This email contains affiliate links. When you
purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no
extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my work!

Here are my top 3 tools:

1. Tool A [affiliate link]
2. Tool B [affiliate link]
...

Bad Examples:

Disclosure only in footer signature
Disclosure on a separate page requiring clicks
No disclosure at all

🎙️ Podcasts

Good Examples:

Verbal (beginning of episode or segment):

“Before we talk about today’s sponsor, I want to disclose that this is a paid partnership. I’m being compensated for this endorsement. Now, let’s talk about why I genuinely love this product…”

Show Notes:

EPISODE SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by [Brand]. I'm an affiliate partner
and earn commission on sales. Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off.

Bad Examples:

Mentioning sponsor without disclosing compensation
Using vague terms like “brought to you by”

Disclosure Templates You Can Use

Universal Disclosure (works everywhere)

⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: I earn commission if you purchase through
my links. This doesn't cost you extra and helps support my work.
I only recommend products I genuinely use and trust.

#ad - Affiliate link. I earn commission on purchases.

Detailed Version (blogs)

Full Transparency: This post contains affiliate links, which means
I earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links at
no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services
that I have personally used or thoroughly researched. Your support
through these links helps me continue creating free content. Thank
you!

Email Version

Some links in this email are affiliate links. I may earn a commission
if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only share products
I believe in and think you'll find valuable.

What Makes a Bad Disclosure

❌ Common Mistakes

1. Too Vague:

“Thanks to [Brand] for supporting this content” (Are they paying you?)
“I’m a [Brand] partner” (Does that mean you earn commission?)
“Check out this collab!” (Is this paid?)

2. Hidden or Obscure:

Disclosure only in footer or sidebar
Tiny text in light gray
Buried after paragraphs of content
Requiring clicks to another page

3. After the Link:

Check out this amazing product [link]
...
(By the way, this is an affiliate link)  ❌

4. Unclear Terms:

Using abbreviations: “aff link” (not everyone knows what this means)
Industry jargon: “CPA relationship” or “performance marketing”
Vague words: “collaboration,” “supporter,” “partner”

5. Wrong Placement:

Social media: Disclosure in comments instead of caption
Videos: Only mentioning at the very end
Websites: Only on a separate “Disclosures” page

Special Situations

Multiple Products in One Post

Disclose at the TOP, then optionally mark individual links:

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Product 1 [link] ← affiliate
Product 2 [link] ← NOT affiliate
Product 3 [link] ← affiliate

Mixed Content (Some Affiliate, Some Not)

Clearly indicate which links are affiliate:

I'm recommending three tools. Products 1 and 3 are affiliate links
(I earn commission), but Product 2 is not (no compensation).

Product Gifted + Affiliate Link

Disclose BOTH:

Full disclosure: [Brand] sent me this product for free, AND I'm
including my affiliate link below, so I earn commission if you buy.

Comparison / Review Content

Be extra clear about relationships:

I'm comparing three products. I'm an affiliate for Products A and B
(earn commission), but not Product C. My opinions are honest regardless
of affiliate status.

FTC Penalties for Non-Compliance

What happens if you don’t disclose:

FTC warning letters
Legal action against you AND the brand
Fines up to $43,792 per violation (2023 rate, adjusted annually)
Required corrective disclosures
Damaged reputation and trust

Real Cases:

Lord & Taylor (2016): Paid $11,000+ for failing to disclose paid influencer posts
Individual influencers: Received warning letters and compliance monitoring
Brands: Held liable for affiliate’s lack of disclosure (“should have known” standard)

Bottom Line: The FTC is actively enforcing these rules. Compliance is not optional.

Myths vs. Reality

Myth: “Small accounts don’t need to disclose”

Reality: ❌ Size doesn’t matter. Even with 10 followers, disclosure is required.

Myth: “The platform’s ‘Paid Partnership’ tag is enough”

Reality: ❌ Use it AND your own disclosure. Don’t rely on platform features alone.

Myth: “If everyone knows I’m an affiliate, I don’t need to disclose”

Reality: ❌ You must disclose EVERY TIME. Don’t assume people know.

Myth: “#partner is a clear disclosure”

Reality: ❌ Too vague. Use #ad or #affiliate instead.

Myth: “I can put disclosure in my bio and that covers all posts”

Reality: ❌ Each post needs its own disclosure. Bio alone is insufficient.

Myth: “If I say ‘link in bio,’ people will know it’s affiliate”

Reality: ❌ This doesn’t disclose your financial relationship. Still need explicit disclosure.

Myth: “Disclosure hurts conversions, so I’ll skip it”

Reality: ❌ Studies show transparency builds trust. Plus, it’s the law.

Quick Compliance Checklist

Before posting ANY affiliate content, verify:

International Affiliates Promoting to U.S.

If you’re outside the U.S. but promote to American consumers:

✅ FTC rules still apply to you
✅ Disclose as if you were a U.S. affiliate
✅ Risk of FTC action exists even for international affiliates

Your local rules may also apply:

🇬🇧 UK: ASA (Advertising Standards Authority)
🇪🇺 EU: Consumer protection directives
🇨🇦 Canada: Competition Bureau guidelines
🇦🇺 Australia: ACCC influencer guidelines

When in doubt: Disclose. More transparency is always better.

Resources

Official FTC Resources

FTC Endorsement Guides: ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides
Disclosures 101: ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers
FTC Warning Letters: Examples at ftc.gov

Industry Resources

Performance Marketing Association (PMA): thepma.org
IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) guidelines

Still Have Questions?

Common Questions:

Q: Do I need a lawyer to review my disclosures?
A: Not required, but recommended if you’re earning significant income. FTC provides clear guidelines that most affiliates can follow.

Q: Can I use emojis in disclosures?
A: Yes, but also use clear words. ”💰 Affiliate Link” is okay. Emoji-only is not.

Q: What if the brand tells me not to disclose?
A: Disclose anyway. You’re responsible, not the brand. If they insist, don’t work with them.

Q: Do I disclose in every single Instagram story slide?
A: Best practice: Yes, or at least every few slides. Don’t assume viewers see all slides.

Q: What about affiliate links in my Instagram bio?
A: Disclose in your bio too: “Links may be affiliate (I earn commission)“

Redio’s Recommendation

As a Redio affiliate, we expect you to:

✅ Make clear FTC disclosures on every piece of content
✅ Use the templates and guidelines on this page
✅ Disclose BEFORE affiliate links
✅ Use simple, clear language
✅ Build trust with your audience through transparency

Why?

It’s legally required
It protects you from FTC fines
It protects merchants you work with
It builds trust with your audience
It’s the right thing to do

Remember: Transparency = Trust = Long-term success

Summary

✅ Always disclose your affiliate relationships
✅ Before the link - not after
✅ Clear language - “I earn commission”
✅ Every platform - blog, social, video, email
✅ Every time - don’t assume people know
✅ Prominent and clear - easy to see and understand

Questions about FTC compliance?

Review FTC resources: ftc.gov
Consult a lawyer for specific advice
Email Redio support: [email protected]

This guide is for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for specific legal guidance.

Last Updated: October 23, 2025
Sources: FTC.gov, FTC Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255)

FTC Disclosure Requirements for Redio Affiliates

Why Disclosures Matter

The FTC’s Core Rule

What Counts as “Material Connection”

The 4 Ps of Good Disclosure

1. Prominence

2. Presentation

3. Placement

4. Proximity

Platform-Specific Disclosure Examples

📝 Blog Posts / Websites

📺 YouTube Videos

📱 Instagram / TikTok

🐦 Twitter / X

📧 Email Newsletters

🎙️ Podcasts

Disclosure Templates You Can Use

Universal Disclosure (works everywhere)

Short Version (social media)

Detailed Version (blogs)

Email Version

What Makes a Bad Disclosure

❌ Common Mistakes

Special Situations

Multiple Products in One Post

Mixed Content (Some Affiliate, Some Not)

Product Gifted + Affiliate Link

Comparison / Review Content

FTC Penalties for Non-Compliance

Myths vs. Reality

Myth: “Small accounts don’t need to disclose”

Myth: “The platform’s ‘Paid Partnership’ tag is enough”

Myth: “If everyone knows I’m an affiliate, I don’t need to disclose”

Myth: “#partner is a clear disclosure”

Myth: “I can put disclosure in my bio and that covers all posts”

Myth: “If I say ‘link in bio,’ people will know it’s affiliate”

Myth: “Disclosure hurts conversions, so I’ll skip it”

Quick Compliance Checklist

International Affiliates Promoting to U.S.

Resources

Official FTC Resources

Industry Resources

Still Have Questions?

Common Questions:

Redio’s Recommendation

Summary