Affiliate Disclosure: FTC Compliance for AI Trust
Affiliate disclosures aren't just legally required—they're Trust signals in EEAT. Clear disclosure of affiliate relationships shows transparency, while hidden affiliate links suggest deceptive monetization. FTC requires disclosures to be clear, conspicuous, and before the first affiliate link. AI systems evaluate disclosure presence as a trust indicator.
Key Takeaways
- • Clear and conspicuous—FTC's core requirement
- • Before first affiliate link—not buried at the bottom
- • Plain language—readers must understand the relationship
- • Every page with affiliate links—not just one policy page
- • Transparency builds trust—hidden relationships hurt credibility
FTC Disclosure Requirements #
The FTC requires affiliate disclosures to be:
- Clear: Easily understood by average reader
- Conspicuous: Can't be missed—prominent placement
- Proximate: Near the affiliate links, before clicking
- Accessible: Visible without additional action
What “Clear and Conspicuous” Means
A reader scrolling through your content should notice the disclosure without hunting for it. It should be readable (adequate size, contrast) and written in plain language.
Proper Disclosure Placement #
Best Placement Options #
- After intro paragraph: Before any affiliate links appear
- In a callout box: Visually distinct from content
- At top of article: Immediately visible
Unacceptable Placements #
- Footer only
- Separate policy page only
- After all affiliate links
- In tiny text or low contrast
- Hidden behind a “read more” click
Effective Disclosure Wording #
Good Examples #
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Bad Examples #
- “This post may contain affiliate links” (too vague)
- “See our affiliate policy” (requires extra click)
- Only linking to a separate disclosure page
Per-Page vs. Site-Wide Disclosure #
You need both:
- Per-page disclosure: On every page with affiliate links
- Site-wide policy: Detailed affiliate disclosure page linked from footer
The site-wide policy supplements but doesn't replace per-page disclosure. Readers shouldn't have to leave the page to understand the financial relationship.
Impact on AI Trust #
AI evaluates disclosure presence:
- Present disclosure: Signals transparency and compliance
- Missing disclosure: Suggests hidden monetization
- Hidden/inadequate: Worse than missing—shows intent to obscure
Product reviews and comparison content face extra scrutiny. AI knows these often contain affiliate links—missing disclosure is a significant trust red flag.
Implementation Checklist #
- □ Disclosure appears before first affiliate link
- □ Uses plain language readers understand
- □ Visually distinct (different styling, callout box)
- □ Present on every page with affiliate links
- □ Site-wide affiliate policy page exists
- □ Policy page linked from footer
Summary #
Affiliate disclosure best practices:
- Placement: Before first affiliate link, visible without scrolling
- Wording: Clear, plain language explaining the relationship
- Visibility: Can't be missed—use callout boxes
- Scope: Per-page disclosure plus site-wide policy
- Trust: Transparency builds credibility
Related: Sponsored Content: How to Label Without Hurting Trust
Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.