Best examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing in 2025

Real‑world examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing

Let’s skip the theory and start with what everyone actually searches for: clear, real examples you can adapt today. These examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing are written to align with the FTC’s Endorsement Guides and 2023–2024 updates on influencer marketing.

Important context (not legal advice): The FTC requires “clear and conspicuous” disclosures when you earn money, discounts, or free products from what you promote. You can read their official guidance here: FTC Endorsement Guides.

Below are some of the best examples, organized by platform and format.

Short caption examples for Instagram, TikTok, and X (Twitter)

Short‑form posts are where people most often get disclosures wrong. The FTC has repeatedly said that hiding your affiliate disclosure in a separate page, or only in your bio, is not enough. You need the disclosure in or very near the post itself.

Here are several real examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing you can plug into short captions:

Example A – Simple affiliate link disclosure

“Affiliate link – I earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you.”

This is boring but effective. It uses the words “affiliate” and “commission,” which the FTC has said are generally understandable to regular people.

Example B – Lifestyle / creator‑friendly wording

“This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to buy, I may earn a small commission that helps support this channel.”

This is one of the best examples for creators who want to stay transparent while explaining why the link exists.

Example C – X (Twitter) character‑conscious version

“AD / Affiliate link: I earn a commission if you sign up using this link.”

Including “AD” at the front makes the relationship obvious, even if someone scrolls quickly.

Example D – Hashtag‑friendly but still clear

“Paid partnership – contains affiliate links. I earn a commission if you purchase. #ad”

Notice that #ad is extra, not the only disclosure. The FTC has said that relying on hashtags alone is risky.

These short captions are the kind of examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing regulators actually like: plain English, no euphemisms like “spon” or “collab” without context.

Longer caption examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing

Sometimes you need more nuance: maybe you received a free product, and you’re using an affiliate link, and you have a long‑term brand relationship. In those situations, a longer caption can protect you and clarify things for your audience.

Example E – Free product + affiliate link

“The brand sent me this product for free to try out. I’m sharing my honest opinion, and this post also includes affiliate links. That means I may earn a commission if you buy through my link, but you won’t pay more because of it.”

This example of a social media disclaimer makes three points clear:

• You got the product for free.
• Your opinion is meant to be honest.
• You earn a commission if people buy.

Example F – Ongoing brand partnership + affiliate program

“I’m a paid partner of [Brand], and this post includes affiliate links. I’m compensated for creating this content, and I may also earn a commission if you purchase through my links. As always, opinions are my own.”

This is one of the best examples when you’re both an ambassador and an affiliate. The dual relationship is spelled out explicitly.

Example G – Review‑style post with clear context

“Affiliate disclosure: I bought this product myself, but this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase via my link, I may earn a commission. I only recommend products I personally use and believe are worth your money.”

This kind of language is popular in 2024–2025 because audiences are more skeptical. They expect to know not just that you’re paid, but how.

Platform‑specific examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing

Different platforms have different attention spans, layouts, and tools. The best examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing are tailored to how your followers actually see and interact with your content.

Instagram & Facebook: Feed posts, Reels, and Stories

For Instagram and Facebook, the FTC has indicated that disclosures should appear before the “more” fold in captions when possible, and should be clearly visible on Stories and Reels.

Feed & Reels caption example

“AD / Affiliate links included. I may earn a commission if you buy through my links. Thank you for supporting my work.”

Place this at the top of your caption, not buried after 20 lines of text.

Stories / Reels overlay text example

On a Story or Reel where you verbally talk about a product and add a link sticker, add on‑screen text like:

“Paid partnership – includes affiliate link. I earn a commission if you buy.”

Say it out loud as well if you’re speaking on camera. The FTC specifically notes that disclosures in videos should be both audio and visual when possible.

You can cross‑check this approach with the FTC’s social media guidance here: FTC Business Guidance on Social Media Influencers.

YouTube & podcasts: Description box and spoken disclosure

Long‑form content is tricky because people might skip around or never read the description. That’s why the best examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing on YouTube and podcasts use both spoken and written disclosures.

YouTube spoken example (at the start of the video)

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

YouTube description example

“Affiliate disclosure: This video description contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission. I only recommend products I genuinely use and find helpful.”

Place this near the top of the description, not after a long wall of text.

Podcast host‑read example

“Quick heads‑up: This episode includes affiliate links in the show notes. If you choose to buy using one of those links, I may earn a commission, which helps support the podcast.”

Audio‑only content has its own challenges, and regulators have noted that disclosures must be in a place and format listeners will actually notice.

TikTok & short‑video platforms

TikTok, Reels, and Shorts move fast. Viewers often never read the caption. That’s why the best examples here combine short on‑screen text with a brief caption.

On‑screen text example

“AD / Affiliate link – I earn a commission if you buy.”

Caption example

“Affiliate links included. I may earn a commission if you purchase via my link.”

Keep it short, but do not rely on vague hashtags like #sp or #collab without explanation. The FTC has repeatedly warned that those are not clear enough.

Bio, profile, and link‑in‑bio examples

A lot of creators ask whether a single disclosure in their bio is enough. The FTC’s guidance is clear: no. You still need disclosures on each post that includes an affiliate link. That said, a bio‑level disclosure is a good extra layer.

Here are some practical examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing at the profile level:

Bio example – Instagram / TikTok

“Some links I share are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you buy.”

Link‑in‑bio landing page example

At the top of your link‑in‑bio page, you can add:

“Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.”

This doesn’t replace post‑level disclosures, but it reinforces them and keeps expectations clear for anyone browsing your recommendations.

For broader context on online advertising and endorsements, the FTC’s main advertising guidance is useful background reading: FTC Advertising and Marketing on the Internet.

2024–2025 trends shaping affiliate disclaimer best practices

The legal rules haven’t radically changed, but enforcement and expectations have. A few trends matter for how you write and use these examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing:

• Regulators are focusing on influencers and affiliates. The FTC’s 2023 updates emphasized that influencers, not just brands, can be held responsible for misleading endorsements.
• Audiences are more skeptical. After years of “invisible” sponsorships, followers now expect clear money talk. A good example of a social media disclaimer is as much about trust as it is about compliance.
• Platforms are adding built‑in labels. Tools like Instagram’s “Paid partnership” label and YouTube’s “Includes paid promotion” toggle are helpful, but the FTC has said they do not replace your own clear disclosures.
• AI‑generated content is under scrutiny. If you use AI tools to create or edit sponsored content, you still own the responsibility for accurate and honest disclosures.

In other words, the best examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing in 2025 are:

• Short and plain.
• Repeated where needed (caption + audio + overlay).
• Honest about the type of benefit you receive: free product, flat fee, or commission.

How to write your own examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing

You don’t have to copy these word‑for‑word. In fact, it’s smarter to treat each example of a social media disclaimer as a template and adjust it to your voice.

Here’s a simple way to build your own:

1. Name the relationship. Are you an affiliate, a paid partner, an ambassador, or did you receive a free product?
2. State the impact on the audience. Do they pay more, less, or the same if they use your link?
3. Use plain English. Terms like “commission,” “paid partnership,” and “affiliate link” are widely understood. Avoid internal jargon.
4. Put it where people will see it. Early in the caption, on screen, and/or spoken out loud.

For example, if you’re a fitness coach promoting a supplement as an affiliate, a tailored version might be:

“I’m an affiliate for [Brand]. If you buy using my link, I earn a commission, but your price stays the same. I only recommend supplements I’d use with my own clients.”

That’s a real‑world, practical example of a social media disclaimer that respects both your followers and regulators.

If you want to dive deeper into advertising and disclosure law more generally, many law schools and legal clinics publish accessible explanations. For instance, the University of Texas has a helpful overview of advertising law issues for small businesses and creators: UT Austin – Advertising Law Basics (a .org resource serving the public).

FAQ: Short answers and more examples

What are some quick examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing I can copy now?

Here are three short versions you can adapt immediately:

• “Affiliate link: I may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.”
• “Paid partnership – this post includes affiliate links. I’m compensated if you make a purchase.”
• “Some links are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you decide to buy.”

Use these as starting points and adjust the tone to match your audience.

Is one disclosure in my bio enough for affiliate marketing?

No. A bio disclosure is helpful, but regulators expect you to disclose on each post, Story, Reel, or video that includes an affiliate link or other material connection. The examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing in this guide are designed to be reused on individual posts, not just in your profile.

Do I have to use the word “affiliate” in my disclaimer?

Not strictly, but it helps. The FTC’s guidance is that disclosures need to be clear to ordinary people. Phrases like “I earn a commission if you buy through my link” are usually understandable. Some of the best examples combine both: “affiliate link” and “commission,” so there’s no confusion.

Are hashtags like #ad or #sponsored enough by themselves?

Usually not. Hashtags can support a disclosure, but relying on them alone is risky, especially if they’re buried at the end of a long caption. Clear text like “AD / Affiliate link – I earn a commission if you buy” at the start of your caption is a safer example of a social media disclaimer.

Do these examples work outside the United States?

They’re written with U.S. FTC rules in mind, but many countries follow similar principles: clear, honest, and obvious disclosures. If you have a large audience in the EU, UK, or other regions, check local guidance too. For instance, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) publishes influencer guidance similar in spirit to the FTC’s.

Bottom line: Transparency is the strategy. When in doubt, spell out the relationship in plain language. The examples of social media disclaimer examples for affiliate marketing above give you a menu of phrases you can mix, match, and adapt so you stay honest with your audience and aligned with current guidance.