Affiliate Disclosures: Where to Put Them (and How to Write Them Clearly)

Affiliate disclosures are not just “a legal box.” They’re a trust signal. A clean disclosure tells readers you respect them, and it prevents the awkward feeling of “wait… were you selling me something?”

What an affiliate disclosure is (in one sentence)

It’s a short statement explaining that you may earn a commission if someone buys through your links—at no extra cost to them.

Where to place disclosures (best practice)

Use two placements: 1) Near the top of the page (before the first affiliate link) 2) Near the section where you recommend products (before the comparison/table)

Why? Readers should see it before they click, without hunting for it.

Disclosure examples (copy-ready)

Short: “Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.”

Friendly and clear: “Disclosure: We may earn a small commission if you purchase through links on this page. It helps support the site and doesn’t change your price.”

For comparison tables: “Disclosure: Some options in this table include affiliate links. We only list products that fit the use case described.”

What NOT to write

Avoid vague or confusing lines like:

• “Some links may be monetized” (too unclear)
• “We may receive compensation” (sounds corporate, not helpful)
• Disclosures buried in the footer only

The “honesty upgrade” (makes your disclosure better)

Add one sentence explaining your selection method:

• “We choose options based on beginner-friendliness, reliability, and price-to-value.”
• “We list tradeoffs; there is no single ‘best’ option for everyone.”

This turns your disclosure into a trust statement, not just compliance.

How disclosures affect conversions (surprising truth)

Many beginners fear disclosures will reduce clicks. In reality, clear disclosures often:

• increase trust,
• reduce buyer regret,
• attract readers who like transparency.

The goal is not maximum clicks—it’s sustainable trust.

Add a “how we recommend” section (optional but powerful)

If you have space, add a short section: “How we recommend products”

• decision criteria
• who each option is for
• tradeoffs

This makes your content feel helpful, not salesy.

Internal links:

• /guides/affiliate-income/
• /articles/affiliate-math-first-100/
• /tools/affiliate-commission-calculator/
• /guides/site-systems/

Mini FAQ: 1) Do I need a disclosure on every page with affiliate links? Yes—place it before the first link. 2) Should I hide disclosures? No—make it clear and easy to see. 3) Can I use one site-wide disclosure? You can, but page-level disclosures are clearer. 4) Does a disclosure hurt earnings? Often no; trust can improve performance. 5) Where’s the best spot? Top of page + near recommendation section.

Last updated: 28 Dec 2025