The best examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels in 2025

Real‑world examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels

Let’s skip the theory and start with what you actually want: real, usable wording. These are examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels that you can adapt to your own niche.

Short, punchy description‑box affiliate disclaimer (general use)

This is the kind of line you’ll see under a lot of successful channels that rely on affiliate income:

“Some of the links in this description are affiliate links. That means if you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”

Why this works:

• It’s clear about the relationship (affiliate links).
• It explains the impact on the viewer (no extra cost).
• It uses plain, conversational English.

This is one of the best examples of a short affiliate disclaimer for creators who promote products in every video. You can drop it near the top of your description so viewers see it without expanding the text.

Expanded affiliate disclaimer for review and tech channels

If you review products, especially in tech, home gear, or software, you usually need more detail. Here’s an example of affiliate disclaimer language tailored for that:

“Links marked with * are affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I personally use, have tested, or genuinely believe will add value. This video is not sponsored, and the brand had no say in what I said or showed.”

This style of wording is a strong example of how to combine affiliate disclosure with editorial independence. It’s especially helpful for channels where trust is the whole business model.

Spoken on‑camera affiliate disclaimer example

Regulators care about whether viewers get the message, not just whether you buried it in text. Saying it aloud at the start of a video is increasingly common:

“Quick heads‑up: this video includes affiliate links in the description. If you buy through those links, I may earn a commission, which helps support the channel.”

This is one of the best examples of a spoken affiliate disclaimer for YouTube channels because:

• It appears early in the video.
• It’s short enough to say naturally.
• It clearly connects affiliate income to supporting the channel.

You can pair this with a written version in the description for extra clarity.

Example of an affiliate disclaimer for sponsored + affiliate videos

Many creators now mix sponsorships and affiliate links in the same piece of content. That’s exactly the situation the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has in mind when it talks about endorsements and material connections.

A realistic, modern example of affiliate disclaimer wording for that setup:

“This video is sponsored by [Brand]. Some of the links in the description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them. As always, my opinions are my own, and I’ll tell you what I honestly think about these products.”

This example of a combined sponsorship and affiliate disclaimer respects the FTC’s guidance that you must clearly disclose any material connection (payment, free product, or affiliate commission). For reference, see the FTC’s Endorsement Guides here: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking

Niche‑specific examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels

Different niches have different viewer expectations. Here are several real‑world style examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels in popular categories.

Gaming and streaming channels

Gaming creators often link to gear (keyboards, mice, cameras) and digital games. A natural‑sounding example:

“Gear I use (affiliate links): I earn a commission if you buy through these links, which helps me keep streaming and making videos.”

Notice how it’s woven into the gear list, not hidden miles below it. That placement and tone are very 2024–2025: short, honest, and directly tied to supporting the content.

Beauty, skincare, and lifestyle channels

Beauty and skincare are under more scrutiny because people are putting recommended products on their skin. A more explicit example of affiliate disclaimer wording:

“This video is not sponsored. Some products were sent to me for free, and some links are affiliate links. If you shop through those links, I may earn a commission. Always patch‑test skincare and check with a dermatologist if you have concerns.”

This combines:

• Affiliate disclosure.
• Free product disclosure.
• A basic health‑related caution, which aligns with general guidance from sources like Mayo Clinic.

Health, fitness, and wellness channels

If your content touches on health, you need two things: an affiliate disclaimer and a health disclaimer. A realistic 2025‑style example:

“Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them. This video is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional before starting any new exercise or nutrition plan.”

For medical and health‑related content, creators often look to organizations like the National Institutes of Health or CDC for evidence‑based information, even though those sites obviously do not provide affiliate wording.

Finance, investing, and crypto channels

Financial content has seen tighter scrutiny in 2023–2025. Here’s an example of affiliate disclaimer text that acknowledges that riskier context:

“Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you sign up or make a purchase through them. This video is for education and entertainment only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.”

This example of a finance‑focused affiliate disclaimer mixes disclosure with a clear statement that the content is not professional advice, which is exactly what regulators expect to see.

Education and online course channels

If you recommend books, courses, or software tools, you might use something like this:

“Links to books and tools may be affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend resources I believe will genuinely help you learn faster or work more efficiently.”

Again, the pattern across all of these examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels is simple: say what the relationship is, how it affects the viewer, and why you’re still trustworthy.

How to place and format your YouTube affiliate disclaimer

The wording is only half the story. The FTC and YouTube both care about placement and clarity.

Where to put your affiliate disclaimer on YouTube

Creators who stay on the safe side in 2024–2025 usually do three things:

• Put a short affiliate disclaimer at the top of the description, above or right next to the first affiliate link.
• Use a spoken line early in the video for content that is heavily product‑driven (tech reviews, hauls, sponsored videos).
• Add a channel‑wide affiliate disclaimer in the About tab, explaining that many videos include affiliate links.

This multi‑layered approach gives you several real examples of disclosure in different contexts, which is exactly what regulators look for: clear, repeat exposure to the information, not a single buried sentence.

Formatting tips that match 2024–2025 trends

Creators who take this seriously tend to:

• Use short paragraphs and bold the first phrase (for example, “Affiliate links disclosure:”).
• Avoid legal jargon; they write like they speak.
• Keep the affiliate disclaimer separate from long blocks of unrelated text so it doesn’t get lost.

For example, you might use:

Affiliate links disclosure: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them.

Then start your product list underneath. That layout makes it obvious what applies to what.

Aligning your affiliate disclaimer with FTC and YouTube rules

You don’t need to sound like a statute, but you do need to align with the actual rules.

FTC expectations in plain English

The FTC’s Endorsement Guides (updated and enforced heavily in recent years) focus on three things:

• Clear and conspicuous disclosure: viewers shouldn’t have to hunt for it.
• Plain language: no vague phrases like “may contain paid promotion” without context.
• Proximity: the disclosure should appear close to the endorsement or link.

In other words, if you’re recommending a product and earning from affiliate links, the viewer should know that before or as they act on your recommendation. The FTC’s Q&A for creators is worth reading: https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking

The examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels in this article are all built around those expectations.

YouTube’s own paid promotion tools

YouTube also offers a “Includes paid promotion” checkbox for certain content types. That tool is useful, but it does not replace a clear affiliate disclaimer in your own words.

A smart 2025 approach is to:

• Use YouTube’s paid promotion disclosure when a brand directly sponsors the video.
• Use your own affiliate disclaimer language in the description and, when relevant, in the video itself.

Regulators have said repeatedly that relying only on platform tools is not enough if viewers don’t understand the nature of the relationship.

How to customize these examples for your own channel

The best examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels share a few traits you can copy and adapt:

• They sound like the creator. If you’re casual on camera, your disclaimer should be casual too, just clear.
• They match the risk level of the niche. Health and finance channels typically add extra safety language.
• They’re consistent. The same core message appears in every video, with minor tweaks.

Here’s a starting template you can customize:

“This video may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use myself or genuinely believe will help you. Thank you for supporting the channel.”

You can adjust:

• “May contain” vs. “includes” depending on whether every video has affiliate links.
• The “I only recommend…” line to match your actual policy.
• The thank‑you line if that doesn’t fit your voice.

FAQ: Short answers about YouTube affiliate disclaimers

What is a good example of an affiliate disclaimer for a YouTube channel description?

A solid example is:

“Some of the links in this description are affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”

It’s short, clear, and uses normal language your viewers will understand.

Do I need a spoken affiliate disclaimer, or is the description enough?

For light affiliate use, a clear description disclaimer is usually fine. If your video is heavily about products, sponsored, or likely to be watched without the description (like Shorts on mobile), a spoken line near the start is a safer choice. Many of the best examples of affiliate disclaimer examples for YouTube channels now combine both.

Are hashtags like #ad or #affiliate enough on YouTube?

Not by themselves. The FTC has said that hashtags can help but should not replace clear sentences. A line like “This video includes affiliate links…” is far clearer than a lone hashtag buried among others.

Can I use the same affiliate disclaimer on every video?

Yes, and many creators do. The key is that the disclaimer matches what’s actually happening. If a video has a sponsor and affiliate links, use wording that mentions both. The examples include several ways to do that.

Do I still need a disclaimer if I only earn store credit or free products?

Yes. The FTC treats any material benefit—cash, free products, discounts, store credit—as something you should disclose. That’s why some of the real examples in this guide mention free products and sponsorships along with affiliate links.

Nothing in this article is legal advice. If you operate a large channel, work in a regulated niche (health, finance, kids’ content), or have complex brand deals, talk to a qualified attorney familiar with advertising and online media law in your jurisdiction.