Affiliate Disclosure

Key Principles:

  • Clarity and Conspicuousness:
    • The disclosure must be easy to understand and prominently displayed.
    • It should be placed close to any affiliate links or recommendations.
  • Honesty and Transparency:
    • Be upfront about your affiliate relationships.
    • Avoid misleading or deceptive language.
  • Legal Compliance:
    • Adhere to relevant regulations, such as those from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States, even if your site is primarily for an Indian audience, because the internet is world wide. Also be aware of any Indian regulations that may apply.

Elements of Your Affiliate Disclosure:

  1. Clear Statement of Affiliate Relationships:
    • Explicitly state that you may earn a commission when users click on affiliate links and make purchases.
    • Use straightforward language that avoids jargon.
  2. Explanation of How Affiliate Marketing Works:
    • Briefly explain the process of affiliate marketing.
    • This helps users understand why you’re providing the disclosure.
  3. Identification of Affiliate Programs (Optional):
    • You can choose to list the specific affiliate programs you participate in (e.g., Amazon Associates, etc.).
  4. Emphasis on Unbiased Reviews:
    • Reassure users that your affiliate relationships do not influence the objectivity of your reviews.
    • Stress that you strive to provide honest and unbiased opinions.
  5. Placement:
    • Place a clear and conspicuous disclosure at the top of any page or post containing affiliate links.
    • Include a link to your full affiliate disclosure page in your website’s footer.
    • It is best practice to have smaller disclaimers near each individual affiliate link, and then a more robust disclosure on a dedicated page.

Example Wording:

  • Short Form (for individual posts):
    • “Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through our links.”
  • Longer Form (for your disclosure page):
    • “Affiliate Disclosure:
      • us4reviews.in participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites.
      • Our goal is to provide helpful and informative reviews to assist you in making informed purchasing decisions.  
      • Please note that our reviews are based on our honest opinions and experiences, and our affiliate relationships do not influence our content.
      • We are committed to transparency and believe in disclosing our affiliate relationships to our readers.
      • We recomend that you perform your own research before making any online purchases.”

Important Considerations:

  • Regular Review:
    • Affiliate programs and regulations can change, so periodically review and update your disclosure.
  • Legal Counsel:
    • If you have any concerns about legal compliance, consult with a legal professional.