How to Disclose Affiliate Links on Instagram and YouTube
Where and how to disclose affiliate links on Instagram posts, reels, stories, YouTube videos, Shorts and your link-in-bio page, so followers always know.
On this page
To disclose affiliate links properly, tell your audience in plain words that you may earn a commission, and put that message where they'll see it before they tap: on screen in the video, near the top of the caption or description, spoken aloud when you talk about the product, and on your link-in-bio page. One hidden hashtag at the end of a caption isn't enough. The same principle works on Instagram and YouTube: clear, upfront, and repeated wherever the link appears.
Key takeaways
- Disclose on every piece of content that contains or points to an affiliate link, not just once on your profile.
- Place disclosures where people see them first: on screen, spoken, and above the caption cut-off.
- Use plain words like "Ad" or "affiliate link, I may earn a commission" rather than vague abbreviations.
- Your link-in-bio page needs its own disclosure, because people may land there without seeing your post.
Why disclosure placement matters
Most disclosure mistakes aren't about wording. They're about placement. A creator writes "#ad" but puts it after 25 hashtags, or mentions "affiliate links" only in a video description nobody expands. The principle behind guidelines like India's ASCI guidelines and the US FTC guidance is that a normal viewer should notice the relationship without searching for it.
A good test: if a follower watches your reel on mute and never opens the caption, would they still know you earn from the link? If not, add an on-screen label.
For the principles behind this, see the ASCI influencer guidelines summary and the FTC disclosure rules for creators. This article focuses on the practical "where". It isn't legal advice, so check the official guidance for your audience's country.
How to disclose on Instagram
Feed posts and carousels
- Put the disclosure in the first line or two of the caption, before the "more" cut-off.
- On a carousel, add a small text label on the first slide too.
- Use Instagram's paid partnership label for brand deals where it applies, and add a written label as well.
Ad | My 5 favourite monsoon essentials. Links in post #22 in my bio are affiliate links, so I may earn a commission if you buy.
Reels
- Add an on-screen text label, like "Ad" or "Affiliate links", visible early and long enough to read.
- If you speak in the reel, say it: "These are affiliate links, I earn a small commission."
- Repeat the disclosure in the first line of the caption.
Stories
- Add a clear text label to each story frame that promotes a product or holds a link sticker.
- Don't rely on the first frame only, because viewers often tap through or join midway.
- Keep the label readable against the background.
Your Instagram bio
A short line in your bio, such as "Affiliate links, I may earn commission", is helpful but doesn't replace post-level disclosure. People see individual posts in their feed without ever visiting your profile.
How to disclose on YouTube
Long-form videos
- Say it out loud when you first mention the product, not only at the end.
- Put a written disclosure at the top of the description, above the links.
- Use YouTube's paid promotion setting for sponsored content where it applies.
"Quick note: the links in the description are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you."
Shorts
- Add an on-screen text label, because many viewers watch without sound.
- Mention it verbally if you're speaking.
- Keep a disclosure in the description too.
Pinned comments
A pinned comment with links should carry the disclosure in the same comment, right before the links.
How to disclose on your link-in-bio page
Your link-in-bio page is where the actual affiliate links live, and people can reach it from anywhere: a shared link, a QR code, a story or a search. Disclose on the page itself:
- Add a one-line disclosure in your page bio or header.
- Mention it in post captions where you've linked products.
- Note gifted or sponsored products separately in that post's caption.
- Keep the wording short and visible, not in a footer nobody reads.
Quick reference table
| Where | What to do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Reel or Short | On-screen label plus spoken line | Only in caption |
| Caption | First line, before the cut-off | After a wall of hashtags |
| Story | Label on every product frame | First frame only |
| YouTube description | Top, above links | Bottom, below timestamps |
| Link-in-bio page | Header or bio line, plus post captions | No disclosure at all |
Wording that works
Keep it simple and in the same language as your content. If your reel is in Hindi, disclose in Hindi.
- "Ad"
- "Affiliate links, I may earn a commission"
- "This product was gifted by the brand"
- "Paid partnership with [brand]"
- "Sponsored"
Avoid vague phrases like "sp", "spon", or "thanks to the brand" that leave followers guessing. For more templates, see affiliate disclosure examples you can copy.
Also check your affiliate program's rules
Affiliate programs often have their own disclosure requirements in their operating agreements, including specific wording. For example, Amazon Associates has its own requirements about identifying yourself as an associate. Read your program's current terms on its official site, since they change over time. Using Amazon affiliate links on Instagram covers this for Amazon in more detail.
How QKAP makes disclosure easier
On QKAP, your page at qkap.app/yourname has a bio area where you can add a standing disclosure line, and each numbered post has its own caption where you can note affiliate links or gifted items. Because every product sits inside a post that mirrors your reel, followers see the context, and the disclosure, alongside the links. QKAP takes 0% commission, so the only earnings relationship to disclose is your own with the store or brand.
Frequently asked questions
Is "link in bio, #ad" enough?
It's a start, but the label should be near the top and easy to see. On video, an on-screen label and a spoken line are clearer than a caption hashtag alone.
Do I need to disclose if I bought the product myself?
If you earn commission through the link, yes, disclose the affiliate link even if you paid for the product. The commission is the relationship.
Should I disclose in every story frame?
It's safest to label each frame that promotes a product or contains a link, because viewers don't always see the first frame.
Is this legal advice?
No. It's practical guidance. Check the official guidelines for your audience's country and your affiliate program's terms, and consult a professional if you need advice.
Disclosure takes a few seconds per post and protects the trust your whole page depends on. Build it into your posting routine and create your free QKAP page with a clear disclosure line from day one.