Affiliate Disclosure Examples for Holiday Promos (Copy-Ready)

Here's what most affiliates get wrong about disclosures: they think slapping "#ad" at the end of a caption after 47 hashtags counts as compliant. It doesn't. The FTC's standard is "clear and conspicuous," which means your disclosure needs to be obvious, unambiguous, and placed where people will actually see it before they click your link or make a purchase decision.

During the holidays when you're promoting more aggressively and earning higher commissions, proper disclosure isn't optional—it's legal protection and audience trust maintenance. The FTC has issued warning letters and fines to affiliates and influencers for inadequate disclosures, with penalties ranging from mandatory corrective statements to five-figure fines. More importantly, your audience notices when disclosures are buried or vague, and that erodes the trust that makes affiliate marketing work in the first place.

This guide gives you copy-ready disclosure language for every platform you're using during the holiday season: Instagram feed posts and Reels, TikTok videos, YouTube Shorts and long-form videos, blog posts and product reviews, and promotional emails. Each example is FTC-compliant, appropriately placed, and written in natural language that maintains your authentic voice while meeting legal requirements. Copy these templates directly or adapt them to fit your style—just don't skip them or bury them where no one will see.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels

FTC Rules: What "Clear and Conspicuous" Actually Means

A compliant affiliate disclosure must be clear and conspicuous, meaning it appears before or immediately near the affiliate links, uses explicit terms like "ad," "sponsored," "paid partnership," or "I earn a commission," is placed where viewers will actually see it without scrolling or clicking, and cannot be hidden behind "more" folds or buried in hashtag strings. For holiday content across all platforms, the disclosure should appear in the first 1-2 sentences of captions and be verbally or visually stated in videos.

The FTC doesn't provide a single approved disclosure template because what's clear and conspicuous varies by platform and format. But they've issued guidance and enforcement actions that tell us exactly what doesn't work: disclosures at the bottom of long posts, disclosures that require clicking "show more," vague language like "thanks to Brand" without explicitly stating the commercial relationship, and disclosures only in places where some viewers won't see them (like YouTube descriptions that many people never read).

Here's what the FTC actually requires:

Placement: Before or Near the Links

Your disclosure must appear before people click your affiliate links or make a purchase decision based on your recommendation. For social media posts, this means the disclosure needs to be in the first 1-2 sentences of your caption, visible without clicking "more" or "see full caption." For videos, it means verbal or on-screen disclosure within the first few seconds, not just in the description or after someone has already watched your pitch.

The FTC's logic: if someone sees your recommendation and clicks your link without seeing the disclosure first, the disclosure hasn't done its job. Placement at the end of content or in hard-to-find locations doesn't protect consumers because they've already been influenced before they encounter it.

Language: Clear and Explicit

Your disclosure language must explicitly state the commercial relationship. Phrases like "#ad," "sponsored," "paid partnership," "affiliate link," or "I earn a commission" all work because they clearly communicate that you have a financial relationship with the brand or earn money from the links.

What doesn't work: vague gratitude ("thanks to Brand for this product"), ambiguous partnership language ("partnering with Brand" without clarifying it's paid), or inside terminology that general audiences don't understand ("Brand ambassador" could mean unpaid fan or paid spokesperson—not clear).

Conspicuousness: Actually Visible

Even if your disclosure language is perfect and placement is correct, it must be conspicuous—meaning it stands out enough that people notice it. This means:

• Don't bury it after 20 hashtags
• Don't use tiny font sizes or light gray text on white backgrounds (for web/blog content)
• Don't put it in a platform's standard disclosure location AND assume that's sufficient—many viewers don't notice platform tags
• DO make it prominent in your caption or description
• DO include verbal disclosure in videos (audio matters—people watch with sound off)
• DO use on-screen text in videos if possible (visual matters—people watch with sound off)

The "grandmother test" is helpful: if your grandmother (who isn't familiar with influencer marketing) would see your content and not realize you're earning money from it, your disclosure isn't conspicuous enough.

Multiple Disclosure Locations (Best Practice)

While the FTC doesn't technically require multiple disclosures, best practice is to disclose in multiple places because people consume content differently. Someone watching a YouTube video might not read the description. Someone scrolling Instagram might watch a Reel with sound off. Someone reading a blog post might skim rather than reading every word.

Multi-location disclosure strategy:

• Social media: Platform's built-in disclosure tool (Paid Partnership tag on Instagram/TikTok) + explicit disclosure in caption + verbal/visual disclosure in video content
• YouTube: "Includes Paid Promotion" checkbox + disclosure in description + verbal disclosure in video + on-screen text disclosure
• Blog: Disclosure at top of post + disclosure inline near first affiliate link + disclosure in sidebar if applicable
• Email: Disclosure in email body near links + disclosure in footer as secondary reminder

Multiple disclosures aren't redundant—they're insurance that everyone who sees your content, regardless of how they consume it, sees at least one clear disclosure.

Instagram Disclosure Examples (Feed, Reels, Stories)

Instagram has three main content formats, and each requires slightly different disclosure approaches. Always use Instagram's built-in "Paid Partnership with [Brand]" tag when applicable, but don't rely on it alone—add explicit disclosure language in your caption as well.

Instagram Feed Post Disclosure (Photo or Carousel)

Scenario: Holiday gift guide post featuring multiple products with affiliate links

Copy-Ready Disclosure (Paid Partnership):

Key elements:

• #ad in the very first position before any other text
• "I earn a commission" explicitly states the financial relationship
• "at no extra cost to you" addresses common reader question
• "I only recommend things I actually use" maintains authenticity
• Disclosure happens before the product recommendations begin

Copy-Ready Disclosure (Gifted Products, No Payment):

Key elements:

• "Gifted" clearly states products were provided
• "All opinions are my own" maintains credibility
• Sets expectation that you're selective about what you feature

Instagram Reels Disclosure

Scenario: Holiday shopping haul Reel showing products with affiliate links in bio

Copy-Ready Disclosure:

In-video disclosure (include ONE of these methods):

Why multi-format disclosure matters for Reels: Many people watch Reels with sound off, so on-screen text catches those viewers. Many people scroll without reading captions, so verbal disclosure catches them. Using all three methods (caption + verbal + on-screen) ensures compliance regardless of how someone consumes your content.

Instagram Stories Disclosure

Scenario: Multi-frame Stories series showing holiday gift ideas with swipe-up links

Copy-Ready Disclosure:

Key elements:

• Disclosure on first frame before product recommendations
• Paid Partnership sticker used (built-in Instagram tool)
• Reminder on each frame that shows a product (viewers might join mid-Stories)
• Link stickers labeled clearly as affiliate links

TikTok Disclosure Examples (Videos & Captions)

TikTok moves fast and captions are short, which makes disclosure placement critical. Always use TikTok's "Paid Partnership" label toggle when posting branded content, and include explicit disclosure in your caption and/or video audio.

TikTok Video Disclosure (Holiday Product Recommendation)

Scenario: Video showing "5 holiday gifts under $50" with affiliate links in bio

Copy-Ready Caption:

In-Video Disclosure (choose at least one method):

Why TikTok requires extra disclosure diligence:

• Many users watch with sound off (need visual disclosure)
• Many users watch without reading captions (need audio disclosure)
• Videos auto-play in feed (viewers join mid-video and miss early disclosures)
• Young audience may not understand subtle disclosure language

The solution: be redundant. Say it out loud, show it on screen, put it in the caption, and use the platform's Paid Partnership toggle. One method might miss some viewers—three methods catch everyone.

TikTok LIVE Disclosure (If Promoting Products Live)

Scenario: Live stream showing holiday haul with affiliate links

Copy-Ready Disclosure:

Why repetition matters in LIVE: People join at different times throughout the stream. Someone who joins 30 minutes in didn't hear your initial disclosure. Repeat it every 15-20 minutes so everyone who tunes in hears it at least once.

YouTube Disclosure Examples (Shorts & Long-Form)

YouTube requires disclosure in multiple places because of how the platform works: some people watch without reading descriptions, some people find videos through search and read descriptions first, and some people never read descriptions at all. Cover all bases.

YouTube Shorts Disclosure

Scenario: 45-second Short reviewing a holiday product with affiliate link in description

Copy-Ready Description:

In-Video Disclosure:

YouTube Setting: Check the "Video contains paid promotion" box when uploading

Key elements:

• ⚠️ emoji or "DISCLOSURE" makes it stand out in description
• Disclosure is first thing in description before product details
• Verbal disclosure in video for those who don't read descriptions
• Platform's "paid promotion" checkbox enabled

YouTube Long-Form Video Disclosure (Gift Guide or Product Roundup)

Scenario: 12-minute video showing "Top 10 Holiday Gifts 2025" with multiple affiliate links

Copy-Ready Description:

In-Video Disclosure:

Repeat disclosure before first product mention:

Why YouTube requires the most thorough disclosure: Videos are long, people jump to timestamps and miss intros, descriptions are collapsible on mobile, and YouTube has explicit policies about sponsored content. The combination of verbal disclosure, description disclosure, and platform checkbox covers all bases.

Blog & Website Disclosure Examples

Blog posts and website content require disclosure at multiple points because readers skim, scroll, and jump to specific sections. A disclosure at the top of the post is mandatory, but additional inline disclosures near affiliate links reinforce the message.

Blog Post Disclosure (Holiday Gift Guide Article)

Scenario: Blog post titled "50 Best Holiday Gifts for Everyone on Your List"

Copy-Ready Disclosure (Top of Post - Before Content Begins):

Inline Disclosure (Near First Affiliate Link in Content):

Sidebar Disclosure (If Applicable):

Footer Disclosure (Secondary Reminder):

Product Review Post Disclosure

Scenario: Detailed review of a specific holiday product with affiliate link

Copy-Ready Disclosure (Top of Post):

Key elements for product review disclosures:

• State if product was gifted/provided for review
• Clarify that affiliate commission doesn't influence your opinion
• Emphasize that you only recommend products worth buying
• Place disclosure before review content begins

Email Newsletter Disclosure Examples

Email newsletters require disclosure in the body of the email near affiliate links, not just in the footer where many readers never scroll. If your entire email is promotional, put disclosure at the top. If only some links are affiliate links, disclose inline near those links.

Email Newsletter Disclosure (Holiday Shopping Guide Email)

Scenario: Weekly newsletter featuring holiday deals with affiliate links

Copy-Ready Disclosure (Top of Email - Before Product Links):

Inline Disclosure (If Only Some Links Are Affiliate Links):

Email Footer Disclosure:

Key elements for email disclosures:

• Disclosure appears in email body, not just footer
• Optional: indicate affiliate content in subject line for maximum transparency
• Mark affiliate links clearly in the email (with emoji, text label, or both)
• Distinguish between affiliate and non-affiliate links if mixing both
• Footer disclosure as secondary reminder

Edge Cases & Special Situations

Some affiliate scenarios require specific disclosure approaches beyond the standard templates. Here's how to handle common edge cases during the holidays.

Multiple Revenue Streams (Affiliate + Sponsored + Gifted)

Scenario: Instagram post where the brand paid you for a post, gave you a product, AND you're using affiliate links

Copy-Ready Disclosure:

Why complete transparency matters: The more financial relationships you have with a brand, the more important it is to disclose all of them. Audiences respect transparency, and the FTC requires disclosure of all material connections.

Comparison Content (Affiliate vs Non-Affiliate Products)

Scenario: Blog post comparing multiple products, but only some have affiliate links

Copy-Ready Disclosure:

Why this matters: If you're comparing products and only earning commissions on some of them, readers deserve to know which ones benefit you financially. It shows you're not just recommending based on commission rates.

Old Content Updated with New Affiliate Links

Scenario: You're updating a blog post from 2023 and adding new affiliate links for 2025

Copy-Ready Disclosure Addition:

Why update disclosures matter: If old content didn't have affiliate links but your updated version does, you need to disclose that change. Readers who bookmarked the old version should know the monetization structure has changed.

Amazon Associates Specific Requirements

Scenario: Blog post with Amazon affiliate links (Amazon has additional disclosure requirements)

Copy-Ready Amazon-Compliant Disclosure:

Footer requirement for Amazon:

Why Amazon has special requirements: Amazon's affiliate program terms require specific disclosure language that mentions "Amazon Associate" and the fact that you earn from "qualifying purchases." Use this template to stay compliant with both FTC and Amazon requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stay Compliant and Keep Your Audience's Trust

You now have copy-ready disclosure templates for every platform you're using during the holidays, plus guidance on placement, language, and edge cases. Proper disclosure isn't just about avoiding FTC fines—it's about maintaining the trust relationship that makes affiliate marketing work in the first place.

Your audience isn't stupid. They know you earn money from affiliate links. What matters is that you're transparent about it upfront rather than trying to hide it or make disclosures so vague and buried that people feel deceived when they eventually figure it out. Clear, prominent disclosures actually build trust because they show you respect your audience enough to be honest about how you earn money.

Use these templates as-is or adapt them to fit your voice—just don't skip them, don't bury them, and don't use vague language that technically qualifies as disclosure but doesn't actually communicate the relationship clearly. When in doubt, over-disclose rather than under-disclose. Extra transparency never hurt anyone, but inadequate disclosure can cost you thousands in fines and destroy years of audience trust in minutes.

Save these templates somewhere you can easily access them when creating content. Make disclosure part of your content creation checklist so you never post without it. And if you discover old content without proper disclosure, go back and add it—better late than never.

Continue Learning:

• Christmas Influencer Brief Template (Includes Disclosure Section)
• November-December Affiliate Promo Calendar
• Holiday Affiliate Program Sign Up Guide
• Q4 Influencer Campaign Checklist