What's up with this FTC Affiliate Disclosure?

Thanks for the answer!

Well, I asked it because it seems this is not clear for the vast majority of the people who are in this business. Not even the top players, the ones who make hundreds of thousands of dollars seem to do it properly(I guess it's because the law itself is shady and not clear at all). What I've seen on their sites are "affiliate link" texts AFTER the links or some disclosure in the sidebar under everything(saw it on a lawyers site, he is insanely successful, knows the laws yet he does this). Those were the people who even wrote any disclosure. In the FTC guide, they say that's not enough for the government. This is the biggest online business forum and I hoped I get replies from experienced affiliate marketers with exact ways to do it properly since it is not clear. I've read the endorsement guide. That's a big "probably" and "that depends" and nothing more. Based on that guide, it's only good/legal if your viewers understand you get money. What if they are absolute internet newbies, then what you do is magically becomes a lawbreaker act? The only good way seems to be "I get money if you do this or that" texts right BEFORE your link and nothing else. Then like 20% of your article will be disclosures? Is there a better way? Because this is plain foolish and something that no-one knows, not even the government.

Thanks again for the link, I will try to dig deeper.

Thanks for the answer!

Yes, I know about big fines, that's why I would like to do it properly. If you write a testimonial about 1 product, the case is really simple. But if you write articles about whatever topic you would like to(vast majority of bloggers) and embed multiple affiliate links naturally for specific keywords or product names, then how would anyone do that properly? For example, you write about fitness. You talk about what they can do to gain muscle, lose fat, etc. Then a product comes and you write "I get money if you buy it through the upcoming link." Then a link comes you aren't affiliated with, you leave that out. Then another vitamin comes, and you write it again: "I get money if you buy this product through the upcoming link.", then a book comes that helps people who want to gain weight. And you do that again? If you have a 1000-2000 word article people will get fed up with that in no time for sure. Not to mention the fact that the law itself assumes you lie for money. How would it look to write how you use and love those products and then you write disclosures like that 10 times. Even if you are perfectly honest, your blog's reputation is done, overall look ruined, article quality down on the toilet and the whole site looks like a scam. And you do that in every single article. Because based on the guidelines this is the only way to be clear enough for "normal people". As you can read, disclaimers far from the links are "not good enough". Who on Earth does that? I haven't seen big companies, news agencies nor famous people who do that. And you can bet that almost any post they make is compensated.

Tell me if I am wrong but this seems to be a silly law from people who don't know anything about how online businesses work. Or the sole purpose is to get free money from fines because they can fine anyone who they would like to.

Since I still would like to do it properly, I'm interested if anyone has a hint on how to do it absolutely well without destroying your whole blog with dozens of disclosures/article.

I am not talking about any grey area, nor anything that can contradict the FTC. Sorry if my post could be interpreted like that. I am asking about exact things you can write that is a perfect disclosure without using 200-300 words per article. For example, if you give promo codes, is that enough? It indicates partnership with the site you promote or is that not clear for a normal person and you need additional sentences? What is odd for me that no one replies this, "Write something like this, this or this and you are good to go: xyxy"

This is from the official guideline:

"As for where to place a disclosure, the guiding principle is that it has to be clear and
conspicuous. The closer it is to your recommendation, the better. Putting disclosures in
obscure places - for example, buried on an ABOUT US or GENERAL INFO page, behind
a poorly labeled hyperlink or in a "terms of service" agreement - isn't good enough.
Neither is placing it below your review or below the link to the online retailer so readers
would have to keep scrolling after they finish reading. Consumers should be able to
notice the disclosure easily. They shouldn't have to hunt for it."