Are You IN Compliance with FTC Requirement for Affiliate Marketing Business Disclosure? Learn the FT

byOnlineBzDog

2.3K followers

Updated 6 years ago

I know this much, most of Wealthy Affiliate members are in violation of the FTC Affiliate Disclosure law. How do I know? Well, because I look at some websites and the affiliate statement template in the site content. They do not meet the requirement of the FTC. Why is this important? Well, you can lose all your hard earned money if a customer file a complaint with the FTC. Especially when your business successful, you are the most vulnerable to consumer complaints due to the volume of your business.

Am I trying to create trouble? NO, I did not create the laws. As a Lawyer, I share with you the right way to comply with the laws. I am not enforcing the laws either. It is up to you to decide what you want. So please, I am posting this in response to some private emails asking for direction on this issue.

THIS IS NOT A LEGAL ADVICES. I AM ONLY SHEARING MY OPINION AND EXPERIENES. YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE REGARDING THIS SUBJECT.

Here is the FTC guideline if you want to learn more:

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking

How to meet the FTC Affiliate Disclosure Requirement?

This rule applies to any websites that receive benefits from third party. No matter how small the benefit, if you receive anything you must disclose.

It is very simple actually. First, I want to tell you what is unacceptable with FTC:

1. A Disclosure link on the front page only, it is unacceptable
2. A Disclosure link in the footnote only, it is unacceptable
3. A Disclosure in a drop-down menu, it is unacceptable
4. A Disclosure hiding in the body of the article text, it is unacceptable
5. A Disclosure on some posts but not on others, it is unacceptable
6. A Disclosure with a Private Policy, it is unacceptable

This is the right way to handle Affiliate Disclosure:

1. It must be placed in a way the customer can see clearly, and It must state (Affiliate Disclosure).
2. All pages must have a clear Affiliate Disclosure statement display

Here is my way. It’s just a suggestion. You can be creative, but you must follow the FTC guideline. I have seen some businesses placing disclosure not on every product picture that they endorsed. To me, it is too much work. Simpler Way:

1. Create an Affiliate Disclosure webpage by itself, nothing else. The template in the Wealthy Affiliate is insufficient, because is only addressed Amazon affiliate and products. I know some people in here also promote Wealthy Affiliate, you must disclose this. I recommend you use a blanket Affiliate Disclosure statement. This cover everything. You can get one at http://disclosurepolicy.org. It is very easy to generate one specifically for your business. It is free.
2. This is where you add the links to the disclosure on your website.

Here an example:

Here is an example: This website places the disclosure on top of the right sidebar widget.

That is, it! Very simple. Display your affiliate disclosure with confidence. From my experiences, the disclosure of the affiliate statement on the website has ZERO effect on the business. On the other, A Business stands to lose everything for failure to comply with the FTC rule of Affiliate Disclosure.

I hope my post answer some of your questions. This is not the only way to do it. Be creative and be proud. Just remember, you must clearly place the text: Affiliate Disclosure Statement.

I look to hear from you all. Have a wonderful weekend.