In 2015, the Federal Trade Commission released their new rules for Disclosure Compliance. These rules are set in place to ensure that readers or viewers of web media (blogs, Youtube videos, etc.) know if the blogger/presenter is sponsored, endorsed, or partnered with a different company. In blog terms, the readers need to know if the blogger is making money by sharing a link or product.
In compliance with the FTC guidelines, please assume the following about links and posts on this site: Any/all of the links commissionar.com are affiliate links of which I receive a small compensation from sales of certain items.
What are affiliate links?
Purchases are made on external affiliate company websites: When a reader clicks on an affiliate link located on commissionar.com to purchase an item, the reader buys the item from the seller directly (not from commissionar.com). Amazon and/or other companies pay commissionar.com a small commission or other compensation for promoting their website or products through their affiliate program.
Prices are exactly the same for you if your purchase is through an affiliate link or a non-affiliate link. You will not pay more by clicking through to the link.
I use two main types of affiliate programs:
1. Amazon affiliate links.
commissionar.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product (with a special code for affiliates embedded in the link), and a reader places an item in their “shopping cart” through that link within 24 hours of clicking the link, the blogger gets a small percentage of the sale. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and stay around Amazon and purchase something else, however, I will get commission on that sale.
Anytime you see a link that looks like astore.com/… or amazon.com… it can be assumed that it is an Amazon affiliate link.
2. Product affiliate links.
These affiliate links work the same way: if you click the link and buy the product, then the blogger gets a percentage of the sale or some other type of compensation. Things like e-book bundles, e-courses, and online packages are usually affiliate links, as well. Again, prices are not different if you use these affiliate links. You will not pay more by clicking through to the link. These links are not “pay per click”, unless otherwise denoted.
What about sponsored content?
I do not write sponsored posts. I want to bring you real, unbiased information. However, if a post is sponsored by a company and it is a paid sponsorship, I will disclose this clearly in the beginning of the post.
This is an excellent and clear guide to affiliate disclosures. I’ve been running an affiliate marketing blog for over two years now, and initially, I was quite confused about the legal requirements.
This article helped me understand the importance of clear and transparent disclosures. I implemented the suggestions here, particularly the prominent placement of my disclosure statements.
Since making these changes, I feel much more confident that I’m complying with all the necessary regulations. It’s a relief to understand how to clearly communicate my affiliations to avoid potential legal issues and most importantly, maintain trust with my audience.
This article explains well how affiliate links and sponsored content must be disclosed. I understand why this should be done; however, I am not sure I totally agree with the rule. Since the product cost does not have an additional fees on it through the link, why does it have to be disclosed as a paid link? If the person reading the blog did not like the information in the blog, I doubt that they would be clicking on any link whether is was a paid one or not.
Even though, I do not totally agree, the rules are the rules and must be followed.
The article on affiliate disclosures provides a clear and concise explanation of the importance of transparency in affiliate marketing. It effectively outlines the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines, emphasizing the necessity for readers to be aware of any sponsored content or affiliate links. The distinction between Amazon affiliate links and other product affiliate links is well-explained, ensuring readers understand how commissions are earned without affecting the product’s price. The author’s commitment to unbiased information, as evidenced by the absence of sponsored posts, further enhances the credibility of the content. Overall, the article serves as a valuable resource for both marketers and consumers, promoting trust and clarity in online marketing practices.
This post does a great job explaining affiliate links and how they work. It’s helpful to understand that clicking through an affiliate link doesn’t cost you extra but still supports the site. I appreciate the transparency about both Amazon and product affiliate links, as well as the clear distinction between affiliate links and sponsored content. The information on how commissions are earned adds clarity, and the note about not writing sponsored posts reassures readers of unbiased content. Overall, it’s a clear and honest guide for readers navigating affiliate links!