The best examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements (that actually work)

Short affiliate disclaimer examples you can actually use

Let’s start with what you came for: examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements that are clear, direct, and realistic for everyday use. These are the kinds of lines you’ll see on serious blogs, in newsletters, and under YouTube descriptions from creators who take compliance seriously.

Here are some of the best examples of one‑sentence affiliate disclosures, written in plain English:

• “This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”
  Clean, direct, and explains two key points the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cares about: you earn money, and the reader doesn’t pay more.

• “Some links in this article are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.”
  Slightly more formal, works well for blogs, buying guides, and product reviews.

• “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
  This is the classic Amazon‑required line. Many creators pair it with a broader statement like the first example of a short affiliate disclaimer above.

• “I may receive a small commission if you purchase through links on this page.”
  Good for minimalist layouts where space is tight, like mobile‑heavy sites or email footers.

• “This video includes affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click and buy.”
  Tailored for YouTube and video descriptions; short enough to read on a phone without expanding the text.

• “Links marked with * are affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you use them.”
  Helpful when you only have a few affiliate links on a long, mostly non‑commercial page.

Each of these is an example of a short affiliate disclaimer that balances legal clarity with readability. You can mix elements of these statements to create your own version that fits your tone and brand.

Why short affiliate disclaimers matter in 2024–2025

Affiliate marketing isn’t new, but the regulatory environment around it keeps tightening. In 2023, the FTC updated and reinforced its Endorsement Guides, emphasizing that disclosures must be:

• Clear and conspicuous (easy to see and understand)
• Close to the endorsement or link (no hidden footnotes)
• In simple language (no legal jargon)

You can read the FTC’s guidance directly here:

• FTC Endorsement Guides: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides

For 2024–2025, several trends make examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements even more important:

• Mobile‑first reading: Most users skim on phones. A dense paragraph of disclosure text is likely to get ignored. Short, bold statements near the links perform better.
• Creator‑platform crackdowns: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are under pressure to enforce clearer disclosures. Short, repeated statements help you stay aligned with both platform rules and FTC expectations.
• Global audiences: Even if you’re U.S.‑based, your readers may be in the EU, UK, or elsewhere. Short, plain‑language disclaimers travel better across legal systems and languages.

The point: the best examples of modern affiliate disclaimers are not long, intimidating paragraphs. They’re short, honest, and repeated wherever a reasonable person would want to know you’re getting paid.

Blog‑friendly examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements

Blog posts and product reviews are where most creators need multiple, repeatable versions of a short affiliate statement. Here are some real‑world style examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements tailored for blogs and written in a tone that doesn’t scare readers away.

For a tech or gear review blog:

“This review includes affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’d use myself.”

For a personal finance or investing site:

“Some links on this page are affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase. This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.”

For a health or wellness blog (where you also need to be careful about medical claims):

“This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice.”

That last one pairs two kinds of disclaimers: affiliate + health. For health topics, it’s smart to back up your content with credible sources such as:

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): https://www.nih.gov
• Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org

These blog‑focused samples are examples of how you can keep the affiliate part short while still adding a second sentence tailored to your niche.

Social media and YouTube: best examples of ultra‑short affiliate disclaimers

On social platforms, you often have character limits or tiny description areas. That’s where the shortest examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements shine. You can still be honest without writing a paragraph.

For Instagram or TikTok captions:

“Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you buy.”

Or, folded into the natural caption:

“I love this mic for daily streaming (affiliate link – I may earn a commission if you buy).”

For YouTube descriptions:

“This video contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click and purchase.”

For pinned comments under a video:

“Some links in this comment are affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you use them.”

These are real examples of how creators keep it short but unmistakable. They avoid vague phrases like “may contain sponsored content” and instead plainly say “affiliate links” and “commission.” That directness is exactly what the FTC encourages.

Email, newsletters, and podcasts: examples include subtle but clear statements

Email and audio content add another wrinkle: you often have subscribers who trust you deeply, but who might not see the visual layout around a link. That makes short, repeated statements even more important.

In a newsletter header or footer:

“This email may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”

In the body of a promotional email:

“Some of the product links below are affiliate links. If you decide to buy, I may earn a commission.”

For a podcast host read (spoken aloud):

“Some of the links we mention in this episode are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase.”

Those lines are examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements that work in both text and audio. They’re short enough to repeat often, which is especially important in long‑form content like podcasts where listeners might join mid‑episode.

How to write your own short affiliate disclaimer (using the best examples as a template)

Once you’ve looked at enough real examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements, you start to see the pattern. Almost all of the best examples have three elements:

• They name the relationship: “affiliate links,” “affiliate,” or “commission.”
• They describe the effect: “I may earn a commission.”
• They often reassure the user: “at no extra cost to you” or “I only recommend products I’d use myself.”

You can create your own version by filling in a simple template:

“This [post/video/email] contains affiliate links. If you [click/buy], I may earn a commission [optional: at no extra cost to you].”

Or, for a brand voice that’s more conversational:

“Heads up: some links here are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission if you buy.”

Each of these is an example of a short affiliate disclaimer statement that you can tailor by swapping in your content type (post, guide, video, newsletter) and your preferred tone (formal, casual, or somewhere in between).

If you want to go deeper into disclosure rules beyond these examples, the FTC also offers business guidance here:

• FTC Business Guidance: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance

Where to put these short affiliate disclaimer statements

Even the best examples won’t help you if they’re hidden in a footer nobody reads. Placement matters as much as wording.

Here are practical, real examples of placement strategies that site owners use:

• Top of the content: A one‑sentence disclaimer just under the title of a blog post that contains multiple affiliate links.
• Near the first affiliate link: A short line before the first product section: “Note: This section includes affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you buy.”
• In the sidebar or author box: A persistent statement that appears on every post: “I use affiliate links and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.”
• In a dedicated disclosure page: A longer explanation linked from the short statement: “Learn more about how I use affiliate links here.”

The short lines in this article are examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements meant for those visible spots. You can pair them with a longer, site‑wide disclosure page that explains your overall monetization model.

For reference on broader transparency norms, you can look at general ethics and disclosure discussions in academic and nonprofit contexts, such as:

• Harvard University’s research ethics resources: https://research.harvard.edu

While not affiliate‑specific, they underscore the same basic idea: people deserve to know about financial relationships that might influence recommendations.

Common mistakes (and better examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements to use instead)

Seeing bad examples can be just as helpful as seeing good ones. Here are some weak disclosures and better alternatives.

Weak:

“May contain sponsored content.”
Problem: Too vague. Doesn’t say “affiliate” or “commission.”

Better example of a short affiliate disclaimer:

“This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you buy through them.”

Weak:

“We might get something if you click.”
Problem: “Something” is unclear. Readers shouldn’t have to guess.

Better example:

“We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.”

Weak:

“Thanks to our partners for supporting this content.”
Problem: Sounds like a sponsorship, not necessarily an affiliate link. It doesn’t explain the link‑to‑commission relationship.

Better example:

“Some links in this content are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission.”

These improved lines are examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements that turn vague language into something specific and understandable. They’re also more likely to satisfy regulators who expect plain English.

FAQ: Short affiliate disclaimer examples and best practices

Q: Can you give a quick example of a short affiliate disclaimer I can paste into my blog?
A: Yes. A simple, widely used version is: “This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.” This is one of the best examples because it’s short, honest, and easy for readers to understand.

Q: Do I need more than one example of a short affiliate disclaimer for my site?
A: You don’t need dozens, but having a few variations helps. For instance, one statement for blog posts, one for email newsletters, and one for social media captions. All of them can be based on the same core wording, like the examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements in this guide.

Q: Are “affiliate” hashtags like #ad or #affiliate enough on social media?
A: Hashtags can help, but the FTC generally expects clear language people can’t miss. A short line such as “Affiliate link – I may earn a commission if you buy” in addition to a hashtag is safer and more in line with the best examples discussed here.

Q: Do I have to say “no extra cost to you” in my disclaimer?
A: Not necessarily, but many of the best examples include it because it answers a question readers often have: “Am I paying more because of this link?” If your affiliate program doesn’t increase the price for the buyer, adding that phrase can build trust.

Q: Where can I learn more about legal expectations beyond these examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements?
A: Start with the FTC’s Endorsement Guides and business guidance pages here: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance. If your audience includes other countries, consider speaking with an attorney familiar with international advertising and disclosure rules.

Short affiliate disclaimers don’t need to be scary or long‑winded. With a handful of clear, honest lines like the examples of short affiliate disclaimer statements above, you can respect your audience, stay aligned with current guidance, and keep your content clean and readable.