If you’re earning money from your blog or website through affiliate links or sponsored content, you must have a disclaimer in place. Not only is it required by law in many cases, but it’s also the right thing to do for your audience. I know it might feel a little awkward at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.

What Is an Affiliate Disclaimer?

An affiliate disclaimer tells your readers that you earn a commission if they click on a link and make a purchase. These links are often found in product reviews, gift guides, or recommendation lists.

Here’s what I use on my own site:

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my link.

It’s short, sweet, and transparent, and that’s really the goal here.

What Is a Sponsor Disclaimer?

A sponsor disclaimer is used when a brand or company pays you to create content that promotes their product or service. Whether it’s a blog post, video, or social media share, you’re required to disclose that it’s a paid partnership.

When I do sponsored posts, I usually say something like:

“This post was sponsored by [Brand Name]. All opinions are my own.”

This helps keep things honest and lets my readers know that even though I was paid, my thoughts are still mine.

Why Do I Need a Disclaimer?

There are three main reasons I always give when someone asks me this:

If you want to see what the FTC has to say directly, here’s their official guidance on disclosures: FTC Endorsement Guides

1. It’s the law.
   The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S. requires full disclosure of financial relationships in online content. It’s not optional.
2. It builds trust.
   Readers appreciate honesty. When you’re upfront about affiliate or sponsor relationships, it shows you value their trust.
3. It protects your business.
   Skipping the disclaimer could put you at risk of fines or even getting banned from affiliate programs. Not worth it!

Where Should You Place It?

From my experience, here’s what works best:

• Above the fold: I always include it near the beginning of a post so there’s no confusion.
• In every post that contains affiliate or sponsored content.
• And yes, I have a full disclosure page too.

Is a Separate Disclosure Policy Page Still Necessary?

Absolutely. While disclaimers in individual posts are important, having a Disclosure or Affiliate Policy page gives your entire site coverage. I link to mine in the footer so it’s easy for anyone to find.

What If You’re Just Starting Out?

Even if you haven’t made a dime yet, go ahead and use a disclaimer. That’s what I did. It sets the tone from the beginning and shows that you’re taking your site seriously.

Final Thoughts

If you’re making money, or plan to, from affiliate links or sponsored content, a clear, visible disclaimer isn’t optional; it’s essential. I know it can feel weird to talk about money, but being transparent helps you stay compliant, build trust, and grow your business the right way. And your audience? They’ll appreciate the honesty every time.

Some WordPress themes come with an Affiliate Disclaimer and Sponsored Disclaimer widget built in, and some don’t. If you’re not sure how to add one to your site, I’d be happy to help.