Amazon affiliate disclosure: What you need to know
The Amazon Associates program is one of the most popular affiliate marketing platforms. It enables content creators to earn a commission by promoting products through unique affiliate links.
It’s not surprising that it’s so popular. Affiliate marketing through Amazon can be an effective and efficient way to monetize your content.
However, transparency is essential. Disclosing your affiliate relationship helps your audience understand that you may earn a commission when they click on your links and make purchases. And disclosure is not just a best practice — it’s also a legal requirement in many regions.
Participants in the Amazon Associates program must follow specific guidelines, including disclosing their affiliate status. These disclosures are important for legal compliance, building trust, and fostering a transparent relationship with your audience.
In this article, we’ll provide you with the information you need to create an Amazon affiliate disclosure, as well as relevant EU and US regulatory requirements. This context will help you stay in good standing with the affiliate program, avoiding risks like being banned or having law enforcement seize earnings from it.
What is an Amazon affiliate disclosure?
An Amazon affiliate disclosure is a statement that informs your audience about your participation in Amazon’s Affiliate Program. It explains that the links you share may result in a commission for you at no additional cost to the buyer. These disclaimers are typically included in blog posts, social media updates, and other forms of content that feature affiliate links.
The purpose of the disclosure is to make your audience aware of your financial relationship with Amazon. By being upfront, you create transparency and credibility to build trust in your recommendations. However, providing a clear disclosure is not just a courtesy — it’s a legal obligation that helps to safeguard both your audience and your business.
Why is an Amazon affiliate disclosure important?
Transparency is at the heart of ethical affiliate marketing. Disclosing your affiliate relationship keeps your content honest and legally compliant. When you disclose your affiliate links:
- You build trust: Audiences are more likely to engage with content from creators they trust. A clear disclosure demonstrates honesty and respect for your audience.
- You comply with regulations: Legal frameworks such as the FTC’s guidelines in the US and the EU’s Unfair Commercial Practices Directive require affiliate disclosures. Violating these rules can lead to penalties.
- You protect your reputation: Misleading your audience or failing to disclose your affiliate relationship can harm your credibility and lead to negative feedback.
In short, disclosures empower your audience by giving them the information needed to make informed decisions.
Do I need an Amazon affiliate link disclaimer?
In most cases, yes, if you use Amazon affiliate links.
No matter your location, whether you’re based in the US, the EU, or elsewhere, most regulatory frameworks require you to disclose your affiliate relationships. Even Amazon’s own terms of service mandate that you include a disclaimer for affiliate links in your content.
Legal requirements for affiliate disclosures vary by region, but the goal remains the same: transparency.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requirements for Amazon affiliate disclaimer
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for protecting American consumers from deceptive marketing practices. Its guidelines mandate that affiliate link disclosures must be “clear and conspicuous.”
This means the affiliate disclosure should:
- Be prominently placed: Position the disclosure where it is easy for users to see, such as near the affiliate link or at the beginning of the content.
- Use plain language: Avoid legal or technical jargon. Terms like “affiliate link” or “I earn a commission” are usefully straightforward.
- Be visible on all platforms: The disclosure must be accessible across all devices, including mobile. This supports compliance regardless of where users interact with your content.
- Avoid hidden disclosures: Do not place the statement in footnotes, behind tabs, or in any location where it is likely to be overlooked.
Here are two examples of FTC-compliant disclosures:
“This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a commission.”
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
The EU’s Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) requirements for Amazon affiliate disclosure
In the EU, the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) helps protect consumers from being misled by commercial practices. Under this directive, affiliate marketers must clearly disclose financial incentives. Primary considerations include:
- Honesty in promotion: You must make it clear to your audience if you receive a commission for promoting a product.
- Placement of disclosure: The statement should appear prominently within the content, especially where the affiliate links are placed.
- No room for confusion: The language must be simple enough for the average consumer to understand. Vague or misleading statements can lead to regulatory scrutiny.
Failure to comply with the UCPD can lead to significant consequences, such as fines, content takedowns, or even legal action by consumer protection agencies.
A compliant disclosure under the UCPD might look like:
“I may earn a commission for purchases made through links in this post.”
Amazon affiliate disclosure examples
Effective Amazon affiliate disclosures work best when they’re integrated into your content in a way that feels natural.
Below are some examples of disclosures for different platforms. The ideal disclosure helps you achieve compliance without disrupting the flow of your content or your audience’s overall browsing experience.
Amazon disclosure example for a blog
If you are including affiliate links in a blog post, the disclosure should appear towards the beginning. This helps readers understand your affiliate relationship before they engage with your content.
An affiliate link disclosure example can be found on DogFoodAdvisor.com:

This disclosure clearly states the affiliate relationship and informs readers about the potential for commissions from purchases made through the links.
It’s also written in straightforward language. The user is not left wondering what the statement means or why it is relevant.
Another example can be found on the travel blog website “World of Wanderlust.” The disclaimer section of their website states:

This disclosure is transparent about the potential for financial compensation from affiliate links and sponsored content. It also informs readers that some links may generate income for the website, so they can make informed decisions when clicking on product links or reading sponsored content.
Amazon disclosure example for social media
Social media platforms often have character limits, so it’s important to keep disclosures brief yet clear. Common examples include:
- “#Ad”
- “Affiliate link: I may earn a commission.”
- “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
These disclosures should be placed close to the affiliate links or hashtags so that they’re easily visible and compliant with platform guidelines.
A practical example comes from the marketing influencer Sophie Miller on LinkedIn.

After her LinkedIn hook, she includes a brief note that this post is an ad.
This simple disclosure works well because it displays the nature of the incoming post while remaining short and to the point. It also doesn’t disrupt the reading flow or the user experience.
With a similar approach, you can provide immediate clarity to followers while complying with both social media platform guidelines and FTC requirements.
How to write an Amazon affiliate disclosure?
Writing an affiliate disclosure is as much about choosing the right words as it is maintaining transparency and alignment with your brand and audience.
Here’s how to approach it:
- Clearly state the relationship: Use direct language to explain that you earn commissions through affiliate links. Avoid vague terms like “sponsored” if they don’t fully capture the nature of your arrangement.
- Tailor the tone to your platform: A blog post might allow for a more detailed explanation, while a photo caption requires brevity. Adapt the tone and style to fit naturally within your content.
- Be upfront about the benefits: Adding a sentence about how commissions support your work can provide context and demonstrate honesty. For example, “These commissions help me continue creating free content for you.”
- Include disclosures consistently: Ensure every piece of content with affiliate links has a disclosure. This reinforces trust and keeps you compliant across all platforms.
A well-crafted Amazon affiliate disclosure can reinforce the trust between you and your audience.
Amazon affiliate disclaimer template
Here’s a customizable Amazon affiliate example to help you get started:
“This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support my work and allow me to continue creating valuable content. Thank you for your support!”
Customize this affiliate disclaimer template to suit your tone, platform, and audience.
Where to display your Amazon affiliate disclosure?
To achieve compliance, here are a few highly visible location options for your disclaimer:
- Above the fold: Place your disclosure near the top of the page or post so it is visible without scrolling.
- Adjacent to links: Include your disclosure close to the affiliate links for maximum clarity.
- Recurring visibility: For long-form content, consider repeating your disclosure at intervals to increase the likelihood that it is seen.
- Within video content: If you’re a video creator, disclose affiliate relationships both verbally and in the description box.
Proper Amazon affiliate disclosure placement helps your audience to easily access the disclaimer. By thoughtfully integrating disclosures into your content, you also enhance your credibility and foster trust.
Clear disclosures placed strategically throughout your content make it easier for your audience to understand your affiliate relationships, which can lay the groundwork for long-term engagement.
What happens if I don’t display an Amazon affiliate disclaimer?
Legal penalties may arise if you violate regulations such as the FTC guidelines in the US or the UCPD in the EU. These penalties can range from fines to potential legal action, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Your reputation is also at stake. Audiences that discover undisclosed affiliate relationships may perceive your content as deceptive. Trust is critical in affiliate marketing, and once lost, it can be difficult to rebuild.
Finally, Amazon itself may take action. Noncompliance with the company’s terms of service can result in the suspension or termination of your participation in the Amazon Associates program. This can significantly impact your ability to monetize your content and build a sustainable affiliate marketing strategy.
Is an Amazon affiliate disclaimer enough to be compliant?
An Amazon affiliate disclaimer is essential for transparency, but isn’t enough on its own for full compliance.
The FTC requires affiliate marketers to clearly disclose their financial relationship with Amazon in a way that’s easy for audiences to see and understand. For example, affiliate marketers frequently include statements like, “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases” in highly visible locations.
Amazon also has its own requirements. According to its Operating Agreement, your Amazon affiliate disclaimer must clearly state that you earn commissions from qualifying purchases without suggesting a special relationship or endorsement by Amazon. Compliance with these rules is non-negotiable to maintain your affiliate account.
Additionally, if your website tracks user data, you’ll need to comply with privacy laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). This may involve obtaining user consent for cookies and providing a privacy policy that explains how data is collected and used.
Ultimately, a disclaimer is just one piece of the puzzle. You also need to follow advertising regulations, privacy laws, and Amazon’s guidelines.
Save your commissions by using an Amazon affiliate disclosure
Incorporating an Amazon affiliate disclosure is more important than just following rules. It fosters trust and lasting relationships with your audience.
A clear and visible Amazon affiliate disclosure that aligns with legal requirements helps you create a transparent and professional affiliate marketing strategy.