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In the eyes of the FTC, is there a difference between "endorsed" affiliate links, and plain links?

by Ashley Gable
2 replies
I am just getting into clickbank, I have been selling my own ebook for the past year, and have done well, but I want to venture into affiliate marketing for some of my other "dormant" sites.

But I was wondering, if I have an autoblog going, and I have a affiliate links in those posts, for example I use a yahoo answers plugin, and lets say I made each instance of the word "affiliate" an affiliate link.

Would you still need to put a disclosure next the link?

I understand that if I write a review, or write a post promoting the product, I am obligated to disclose it, but just normal non-promotional links?

Just so you know, I am not trying to find a way out of it, I will have a disclosure at the bottom of each page, but I am talking about next to each link, or at least worded into the post. Obviously I would rather not put a big ulgy disclosure next to each link, hence my question!

Thanks
#affiliate #difference #endorsed #eyes #ftc #links #plain
  • Profile picture of the author Sylonious
    Originally Posted by AshleyAA View Post

    I am just getting into clickbank, I have been selling my own ebook for the past year, and have done well, but I want to venture into affiliate marketing for some of my other "dormant" sites.

    But I was wondering, if I have an autoblog going, and I have a affiliate links in those posts, for example I use a yahoo answers plugin, and lets say I made each instance of the word "affiliate" an affiliate link.

    Would you still need to put a disclosure next the link?

    I understand that if I write a review, or write a post promoting the product, I am obligated to disclose it, but just normal non-promotional links?

    Just so you know, I am not trying to find a way out of it, I will have a disclosure at the bottom of each page, but I am talking about next to each link, or at least worded into the post. Obviously I would rather not put a big ulgy disclosure next to each link, hence my question!

    Thanks
    Richard Cleland of the FTC stated in an interview that you only had to disclose when you endorse a product. That means if you give a review of a product or recommend it to your visitors then you are supposed to disclose.

    He also said that putting up affiliate links and banners without making an endorsement would just be simple advertising and there was no need to make the disclosure.

    Check Out The Full Interview Here
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    • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
      Thanks Sylonious!

      It was you who mentioned this to me before! You posted in another thread of mine, linking to the same interview, I tried forever to find it, so I could listen to the interview! But I forgot it was in one of my threads!

      So thanks again, I guess I am fine then. I am using a keyword2url feature that will change all the preset keywords into affiliate links, so I am not endorsing them at all. As it is just an autoblog, and maybe some affiliate banners.


      Thanks again
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