Affiliate and Influencer Disclosure Cheat Sheet - Tricia Meyer
Tricia Meyer
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Affiliate and Influencer Disclosure Cheat Sheet
July 10, 2023
by Tricia
My posts may include paid links for which I earn a commission.
New FTC Disclosure Guidelines
Now that we've had some time with the newly revised FTC Disclosure Guidelines, we're focusing on practical application. A common question is about what exactly the FTC permits or prohibits in disclosure.
The guidelines don't provide specific examples but outline general rules. For detailed insights, refer to resources like:
- "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
- "FTC’s Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking"
- "Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers"
These documents offer numerous examples of "natural language" disclosures for various mediums, including videos and long-form content.
Approved Hashtags
The FTC has approved these three hashtags:
- #ad
- #Brand_Ambassador
- #Brand_Partner
They prefer #ad over the others as they are more easily understandable.
Disapproved Hashtags
Here are some hashtags the FTC does not consider clear enough:
- #Brandad
- #Endorsement
- #Client
- #Advisor
- #Consultant
- #Ambassador
- #Partner
- #FreeProduct
- #Comped
- #Hosted
- #Spon
Alternative Disclosures
While the FTC was limited with hashtags, they provided many other acceptable words and phrases. Separating some words can improve readability and clarity:
- Ad: Paid Ad, Advertising: Sponsored by Brand, Promotion by Brand, etc.
- BrandPartner or Brand Ambassador
- Paid Post by Brand, Advertisement
- Gifted by Brand
- Paid Link
- Thanks Brand for Free Product
Additional Disapproved Phrases
The FTC has disapproved specific phrases due to lack of clarity:
- Gifted
- Affiliate Link
- Buy Now
- Commissionable Link
Context-Dependent Disclosures
Some disclosures depend on context:
- Sponsored: The FTC considers it acceptable in some cases but context is crucial.
- #PaidforByBrand
- Promotion, Thank You Brand, and similar phrases may be gray areas; best to avoid them.
Remember, all disclosures must adhere to the full set of guidelines, including being clear and conspicuous and unavoidable.
In 2026, affiliate and influencer disclosure continues to evolve with changing consumer expectations and regulatory nuances. The FTC remains vigilant, focusing on clear and conspicuous disclosures that accurately reflect the nature of partnerships. Key trends include a rise in micro-influencer marketing, increased emphasis on authenticity, and the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in sponsored content. For example, #ARad and #VRpartnerships may gain traction as more immersive experiences are sponsored. Additionally, interactive content like polls and quizzes within posts can be used to engage audiences while disclosing paid partnerships. Remember, transparency remains paramount; always prioritize honest and open communication with your audience. Explore AI's role in affiliate marketing and its disclosure implications