# Free Website Disclaimer & FTC Affiliate Disclosure Guide (2026)

- Link: https://clearlegaltips.com/website-disclaimer-ftc-affiliate-disclosure-2026/
- Published: 2026-06-12T11:00:00-04:00
- Author: ClearLegalTips

**Affiliate Disclosure:** ClearLegalTips is reader-supported. When you buy through
links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never 
affects which services we recommend. [Learn more](https://clearlegaltips.com/affiliate-disclosure/).

## Download This Resource

Get the disclaimer worksheet, an editable disclaimer template, and a compliance 
checklist:

[📄Disclaimer WorksheetPrint & complete](https://clearlegaltips.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/website-disclaimer-document.pdf)
[📝Editable DOCXFill in your details](https://clearlegaltips.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/website-disclaimer-document.docx)
[✅Action ChecklistStep-by-step PDF](https://clearlegaltips.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/website-disclaimer-checklist.pdf)

**The short version (2026):**

 * **Put the affiliate disclosure near your links, not only in the footer.** The
   FTC’s Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255, revised 2023) require a “clear and
   conspicuous” disclosure the moment you earn a commission, placed close to the
   affiliate link.
 * **Know which disclaimers you actually need.** The affiliate disclosure is legally
   required; “not professional advice,” earnings, testimonials, external-links, 
   and “views are my own” disclaimers are optional-but-smart liability protection
   you pick based on what your site does.
 * **Placement is what makes a disclosure count.** Near the top of the page and 
   beside the link, in plain text — a buried footer line or a lone `#ad` is not 
   enough under the 2023 rules.
 * **This is information, not legal advice.** Grab a ready block from our [copy-paste disclosure & disclaimer templates](https://clearlegaltips.com/website-disclaimer-ftc-affiliate-disclosure-2026/#disclosure-templates),
   adapt them to your site, and get professional help for heavily regulated content.

Most website owners think of disclaimers as fine print, the legal mumbling nobody
reads. Then a reader follows their health tip and gets hurt, or the FTC starts asking
why an affiliate site never told anyone it earns commissions, and suddenly that “
fine print” is the difference between a shrug and a lawsuit or a penalty. The truth
is that the right **website disclaimers** do two very different jobs: some _protect
you_ from liability for the content you publish, and one, the **FTC affiliate disclosure**,
is something the law actually requires the moment you earn a commission from a link.
Knowing which you need, where to put them, and what to actually write is basic hygiene
for any modern site.

This guide breaks down the disclaimers your site might need, what the FTC requires
for affiliate and sponsored content, copy-paste templates you can adapt, and where
to place everything so it counts.

## What Is a Website Disclaimer?

![What a website disclaimer is](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.com/wp-content/
uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-01-what-is.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

A website disclaimer is a statement that limits your legal responsibility for how
visitors use your content. It sets expectations, “this is general information, not
professional advice,” “results aren’t typical,” “we may earn a commission,” so a
reader can’t reasonably claim you promised something you didn’t. A good disclaimer
doesn’t make you bulletproof, but it draws a clear line around what your content
is and isn’t.

There’s an important distinction inside that word, though. Most disclaimers are **
protective**: optional but smart, they shield you from liability. One is **mandatory**:
the affiliate/sponsored-content disclosure required by the Federal Trade Commission.
Treating the required one as optional is where sites get into real trouble.

## The Types of Disclaimers Your Site Might Need

![The types of website disclaimers your site might need](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-02-types.jpg?w=1290&ssl=1)

  |  Disclaimer |  What it does |  Who needs it |  
   |  **Affiliate disclosure** |  Reveals you earn from links |  **Required** if you use affiliate links |  
 |  “Not professional advice” |  Content isn’t legal/medical/financial advice |  Advice-style content |  
 |  Earnings disclaimer |  Income results aren’t guaranteed |  Sites discussing money/results |  
 |  Testimonials/results |  Results aren’t typical |  Reviews, case studies |  
 |  External links |  Not responsible for other sites |  Sites linking out |  
 |  “Views are my own” |  Opinions aren’t an employer’s |  Personal/professional blogs |

You won’t need all of these, so pick the ones that match what your site actually
does. A legal-tips blog that uses affiliate links, for example, needs the affiliate
disclosure _and_ a “not legal advice” disclaimer at minimum.

## What the FTC Actually Requires

![What the FTC actually requires for affiliate disclosures](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-03-ftc-rules.jpg?w=1290&ssl
=1)

This is the part that isn’t optional. Under the FTC’s [Endorsement Guides](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking)(
[16 CFR Part 255](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-255),
substantially revised in 2023), if you have a **material connection** to a product
or brand, meaning you earn an affiliate commission, you were paid for a sponsored
post, or you got a free product to review, you must **clearly and conspicuously 
disclose it** so readers can weigh your recommendation accordingly. A material connection
is anything that could affect the weight a reader gives your endorsement, and an
affiliate commission always counts. The standards:

 * **Clear:** plain language a normal reader understands. “We may earn a commission
   from purchases made through links on this page” works; vague hashtags or jargon
   don’t.
 * **Conspicuous:** easy to notice, not hidden in a footer, behind a “more” link,
   or on a separate page nobody visits. The 2023 update defines this as “difficult
   to miss,” and for interactive media like a website it says the disclosure should
   be _unavoidable_ (16 CFR §255.0).
 * **Close to the claim:** near the recommendation or the affiliate link itself,
   ideally _before_ the reader clicks.
 * **Same medium:** if the endorsement is in a video, the disclosure should be in
   the video (on-screen and spoken), not only the description.

**“They can find it if they look” is not the standard.** The FTC expects disclosures
a reader can’t miss, and its [Disclosures 101](https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers)
guidance warns that a lone `#ad`, `#sponsored`, or a platform “paid partnership”
tag may not be enough on its own. A short disclosure line near the top of the page(
and beside the link) plus a fuller disclosure page in the footer is the safe pattern.

## Copy-Paste Affiliate Disclosure & Disclaimer Templates

![Copy-paste affiliate disclosure and disclaimer templates](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-04-templates.jpg?w=1290&ssl
=1)

Here are ready-to-use blocks. Paste the ones your site needs, replace every **[bracketed]**
field, and keep the affiliate disclosure near the top of any page with affiliate
links, not only on a policy page.

**1. Short affiliate disclosure** (place at the top of any page with affiliate links):

_Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, [Your 
Site] may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products 
we’d use ourselves._

**2. Full affiliate disclosure** (for your disclosure/disclaimer page):

_[Your Site] participates in affiliate programs. This means we may earn a commission
when you click a link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. We only
recommend products and services we believe will add value to our readers, and our
opinions are our own. As required by the FTC, we disclose these material connections
so you can make informed decisions._

**3. Amazon Associates.** Amazon’s [Operating Agreement](https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/help/operating/agreement)
requires this exact statement (or substantially similar):

_As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases._

**4. “Not professional advice” disclaimer** (for advice-style content):

_The content on [Your Site] is for general informational purposes only and is not[
legal / medical / financial] advice. Always consult a qualified professional about
your specific situation before acting on anything you read here._

**5. Earnings disclaimer** (if you mention income or results):

_Any income or results discussed are illustrative and not a guarantee. Your results
will vary based on effort, experience, and factors outside our control._

**6. Testimonials / results disclaimer:**

_Testimonials reflect individual experiences and are not a guarantee that you will
achieve the same or similar results._

These are starting points, not legal advice, so adjust the wording to match what
your site actually does, and pair them with your Privacy Policy and Terms. Because
the language needs to satisfy current FTC standards across every page, many owners
generate a tailored, auto-updating set rather than hand-maintaining each block.

Don’t hand-write the legal language. Termly generates the disclaimers and affiliate
disclosure your site needs, plus your Privacy Policy and Terms, tailored to your
content and the laws that apply.

[Generate Your Disclaimers with Termly →](https://clearlegaltips.com/go/termly)

## Compliant vs. Non-Compliant Disclosures

![Compliant versus non-compliant affiliate disclosures](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-05-compliant.jpg?w=1290&ssl
=1)

The 2023 Endorsement Guides care less about _whether_ you have a disclosure than
about whether a real reader will actually notice and understand it. Here’s the difference
in practice:

  |  ❌ Not “clear and conspicuous” |  ✅ Compliant |  
   |  A lone `#ad` buried in a wall of hashtags |  “We may earn a commission from links on this page,” in plain text near the top |  
 |  Disclosure only on a separate page linked in the footer |  Disclosure near the top of the page _and_ beside the affiliate link |  
 |  “Thanks to [Brand] for the support” (vague) |  “[Brand] paid us to write this” or “Sponsored by [Brand],” stated plainly |  
 |  Tiny grey text below the fold, after the recommendation |  Readable text placed _before_ the reader clicks the link |  
 |  Disclosure in a video’s description box only |  Disclosure on-screen and spoken within the video itself |

## Where to Place Disclaimers and Disclosures

![Where to place disclaimers and affiliate disclosures](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-06-where-to-place.jpg?w=1290&
ssl=1)

 1. **Affiliate disclosure:** a visible line near the top of any page with affiliate
    links, plus, ideally, right next to the link. Don’t rely on the footer alone.
 2. **“Not advice” disclaimers:** commonly at the end of relevant articles and on a
    dedicated disclaimer page.
 3. **A disclaimer/disclosure page:** a single page collecting your full disclaimers,
    linked from the footer site-wide.
 4. **Earnings/testimonials disclaimers:** near the income claim or testimonial they
    qualify.

The footer link makes the policies easy to find; the in-content disclosures make
them _conspicuous_. You generally want both.

## How to Write (or Generate) Your Disclaimers

![How to write or generate your website disclaimers](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-07-write-generate.jpg?w=1290&
ssl=1)

 1. **Inventory what your site does.** Affiliate links? Sponsored posts? Advice content?
    Income claims? Each maps to a disclaimer above.
 2. **Write in plain language.** Readers (and the FTC) reward clarity over legalese.
 3. **Make the affiliate disclosure prominent** near the top and beside links, not 
    buried.
 4. **Add a disclaimer page** and link it in your footer.
 5. **Keep it current** as you add affiliate programs, sponsors, or new content types.

You can draft these yourself with the templates above, but because the wording needs
to satisfy FTC standards (and pair with your Privacy Policy and Terms), many site
owners generate tailored, up-to-date disclaimers with a policy tool rather than 
maintaining each block by hand.

## How This Fits With Your Other Policies

![How disclaimers fit with your other website policies](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-08-policy-set.jpg?w=1290&ssl
=1)

Disclaimers don’t stand alone. A content site that earns commissions typically runs
a small stack of documents that work together:

 * **Affiliate disclosure & disclaimers:** this guide.
 * **[Privacy Policy](https://clearlegaltips.com/gdpr-ccpa-privacy-policy-and-terms-generator-template/):**
   how you handle visitor data (required by privacy laws and ad networks).
 * **[Terms of Service](https://clearlegaltips.com/saas-terms-of-service-privacy-policy-template-2026/):**
   the rules for using your site.
 * **[Cookie consent banner](https://clearlegaltips.com/cookie-consent-gdpr-ccpa-compliance-2026/):**
   if you use analytics or ad trackers.
 * **[Return & refund policy](https://clearlegaltips.com/return-refund-policy-template-online-store-2026/):**
   if you sell products as well as recommend them.

Keeping them consistent, and generated from the same source, avoids the contradictions
that undermine all of them. (Selling your own products too? Start with our guide
on [starting an online store legally](https://clearlegaltips.com/how-to-start-an-online-store-legally-2026/).)

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

![Common website disclaimer mistakes to avoid](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-09-mistakes.jpg?w=1290&ssl=
1)

 * **No affiliate disclosure.** The one that’s actually required, so don’t skip 
   it.
 * **Burying it in the footer.** Disclosures must be conspicuous and near the link.
 * **Vague wording.** “Sponsored” or a stray hashtag may not be clear enough; say
   plainly that you may earn a commission.
 * **Copy-pasting someone else’s.** A disclaimer that doesn’t match your content
   can be useless or wrong, so adapt the templates above to your site.
 * **Missing Amazon’s required wording.** If you’re an Amazon Associate, include“
   As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
 * **Set and forget.** Add new programs or sponsors? Update the disclosure.
 * **Assuming a disclaimer replaces a Privacy Policy.** They’re different documents.

## When to Talk to a Professional

![When to get professional help with website disclaimers](https://i0.wp.com/clearlegaltips.
com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/website-disclaimer-v2-10-when-help.jpg?w=1290&ssl
=1)

For a typical blog or content site, a clear affiliate disclosure plus the relevant
disclaimers above will cover you. Get professional advice if you publish in heavily
regulated areas (health claims, financial or investment advice, legal services),
run large sponsored campaigns, or operate across many countries with different disclosure
rules. The templates handle the standard cases; expert help is for the regulated
or high-exposure ones.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I legally need a disclaimer on my website?

It depends on your content, but most sites benefit from one and some need it. If
you give advice that could be relied on (health, legal, financial), a “not professional
advice” disclaimer limits your liability. If you earn affiliate commissions or run
sponsored content, the FTC requires a disclosure, and that one isn’t optional. Disclaimers
protect you; the affiliate disclosure is the law.

### What does the FTC require for affiliate links?

The FTC’s Endorsement Guides require that you clearly and conspicuously disclose
any financial or material connection (including affiliate commissions and sponsorships)
so readers know you may earn money. The disclosure must be easy to notice, in plain
language, and placed close to the recommendation or affiliate link, not buried in
a footer or a separate page. A short line like “We may earn a commission from links
on this page” near the link works.

### What is the exact Amazon Associates disclosure wording?

Amazon’s Associates Program Operating Agreement requires you to clearly state “As
an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases,” or a substantially similar
statement, where you display Amazon links. Place it somewhere readers will easily
notice, such as near the top of the page or beside the links, not only on a separate
policy page.

### Is “#ad” enough to disclose an affiliate link?

Often not on its own. The FTC’s 2023 guidance warns that a lone “#ad,” “#sponsored,”
or a platform’s built-in “paid partnership” label can be too easy to miss or misunderstand.
Safer is a plain-language line a reader can’t miss, such as “This post contains 
affiliate links; we may earn a commission,” placed near the recommendation, in addition
to any hashtag.

### What types of disclaimers might my site need?

Common ones include: an affiliate disclosure (required by the FTC if you earn commissions),
a “not professional advice” disclaimer for health/legal/financial content, an earnings
disclaimer if you discuss income results, a testimonials/results disclaimer, a “
views are my own” disclaimer, and an external-links disclaimer. Which you need depends
on what your site does, so copy the matching blocks from the templates above.

### Where should I put my affiliate disclosure?

Close to the affiliate content and easy to see. Best practice is a clear disclosure
near the top of any page with affiliate links (and right beside the link itself),
plus a fuller disclosure or disclaimer page linked in your footer. The key FTC standard
is “clear and conspicuous”: if a reader could miss it, it’s not compliant.

### Is a disclaimer the same as Terms of Service or a Privacy Policy?

No. A disclaimer limits liability for your content and discloses connections like
affiliate links. Terms of Service set the rules for using your site. A Privacy Policy
explains how you handle personal data. They’re separate documents that work together,
and a content site that earns commissions typically needs all three plus the affiliate
disclosure.

Get FTC-compliant disclosures and clear disclaimers live today. Set up your site
policies with Termly.

[Get Started with Termly →](https://clearlegaltips.com/go/termly)

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 * [Free SaaS Terms of Service & Privacy Policy Template](https://clearlegaltips.com/saas-terms-of-service-privacy-policy-template-2026/)

**Legal Disclaimer:** This article is general information, not legal advice. ClearLegalTips
is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Laws vary by state 
and change over time. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed
attorney in your jurisdiction.

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