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affiliate-link-compliance

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Updated 10-15 22:15

About this skill

Affiliate Link Compliance

Comprehensive verification of affiliate link disclosures across your entire site. Ensures FTC, ASA, and international compliance.

Scoring Mode & Aggregation Contract

Field Value
Scope Cross-phase check — always runs when site has any affiliate content, regardless of score mode
Core 79 items covered PC10 (affiliate disclosure — veto item), TD08 (privacy policy affiliate mention)
Extension items covered PC12–PC13 coverage when gambling/regulated affiliate programs present
Veto items PC10 — any disclosure failure = instant pillar veto; escalate immediately
Mode interaction This skill contributes to PC and TD pillars; report findings under both

Output fields required (for aggregation by ads-readiness-assessment):

  • score_mode: inherit from calling orchestrator
  • pillars_affected: ["PC", "TD"]
  • items_evaluated: e.g., ["PC10", "TD08"]
  • veto_triggered: true / false + which item(s)
  • undisclosed_links_found: count + URLs
  • disclosure_format_issues: list of non-compliant disclosure formats

Rule: If site has no affiliate links, output affiliate_scope: none and skip all checks — do not mark items as not_in_scope (they simply do not apply).

Purpose

Audit affiliate link compliance:

  • Identify all affiliate links
  • Verify proper disclosure
  • Ensure visibility and clarity
  • Comply with all regulations
  • Prevent policy violations

Quick Start

Input: Website URL or source files Output: Affiliate link inventory + compliance report Time: 15-30 minutes

Compliance Standards

FTC (USA)

Requirement: Clear and conspicuous disclosure Placement: Before the link or at beginning of content Language: "Affiliate disclosure", "We earn commissions", "As an Amazon Associate" Penalty: False advertising violation + legal action

ASA (UK)

Requirement: Clear identification of commercial relationship Format: #ad or #sponsored on social media, disclaimer on content Placement: Prominent location Penalty: Fine, removal from advertising

EU (GDPR & Ecommerce)

Requirement: Transparent affiliate relationship Disclosure: Required in privacy policy Format: Clear and honest language Penalty: Fine up to €20,000

Canada (MACT)

Requirement: Clear disclosure of material connection Format: "We may earn commission" Placement: Before user decision Penalty: Fine + damages

Affiliate Link Audit Process

Step 1: Inventory All Affiliate Links

Identify affiliate URL patterns:

  • Amazon: amazon.com/?tag=yourtag
  • CJA: cjdropshipping.com/?ref=
  • Impact: /click/
  • Rakuten: rakuten.com?_l=en
  • ... (others)

Automated script:

# Find affiliate patterns in HTML
grep -r "amazon.com/.*tag=" ./website/
grep -r "cjdropshipping.com/.*ref=" ./website/
grep -r "/?affiliate=" ./website/

Step 2: Check Disclosure Presence

For each page with affiliate links:

  • Is there ANY disclosure statement?
  • Is it before the links? (best)
  • Is it after the links? (acceptable)
  • Is it in fine print? (risky)
  • Is it in footer only? (borderline)

Good Disclosure Locations:

  1. ✅ Before the first affiliate link (best)
  2. ✅ In a "Disclosure" section at top of post
  3. ✅ Immediately next to the link
  4. ⚠️ In a separate "Affiliate Links" section on page
  5. ❌ In footer only (often missed by users)
  6. ❌ In privacy policy only (not visible where it matters)

Step 3: Evaluate Disclosure Quality

Clear & Conspicuous Test:

  • Can users easily see it?
  • Is it in natural language (not legalese)?
  • Does it clearly explain the relationship?
  • Is it hard to miss?

Examples:

✅ Good Disclosure:

"As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
This does not affect the price you pay."

✅ Good Disclosure:

"Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate
links. If you purchase through these links, we receive a
small commission at no extra cost to you."

❌ Poor Disclosure (too hidden):

"*See disclosure policy in footer for affiliate
relationship details."
[User never sees footer]

❌ Poor Disclosure (unclear):

"Some of our content may contain commercial relationships."
[Vague, doesn't say what kind]

Step 4: Generate Compliance Report

# Affiliate Link Compliance Report

## Summary
- Total pages reviewed: 150
- Pages with affiliate links: 45
- Compliant disclosures: 40
- Non-compliant or missing: 5
- Compliance Rate: 89%

## Non-Compliant Pages (Action Required)

### Critical (Missing Disclosure)
- /blog/top-products
- /reviews/gadgets
- /comparison/tools

Action: Add disclosure statement immediately

### Medium (Disclosure Hidden)
- /guides/best-practices
- /tutorials/setup

Action: Move disclosure to more prominent location

## Recommendations
1. Add disclosure to [X] pages
2. Move [Y] disclosures to more visible location
3. Clarify [Z] disclosure statements

Disclosure Templates by Platform

Standard Affiliate Disclosure

<div class="affiliate-disclosure">
  <strong>Affiliate Disclosure:</strong> This post contains
  affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may
  earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
</div>

Amazon Associates

<p><strong>As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying
purchases.</strong> This does not affect the price you pay.</p>

Multiple Affiliate Networks

<p><strong>Disclosure:</strong> This post contains affiliate
links from Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, and Shareasale.
We earn a commission if you purchase through these links.</p>

Per-Link Disclosure

<p>Check price on <a href="amazon-link">Amazon*</a></p>
<p>*Affiliate link: We earn a commission</p>

CSS-Based Visible Disclosure

.affiliate-link::after {
  content: " [affiliate link]";
  color: #999;
  font-size: 0.9em;
}

Compliance Checklist

  • All affiliate links identified
  • Disclosure on every page with affiliate links
  • Disclosure BEFORE the affiliate link
  • Disclosure clear and in plain language
  • No misleading about commission/cost
  • Privacy policy mentions affiliate relationships
  • FTC/ASA standards met
  • Tested for visibility
  • Mobile version also compliant

Common Non-Compliance Issues

Issue 1: No Disclosure

  • Page has affiliate links but no disclosure
  • Fix: Add disclosure immediately (FTC violation)

Issue 2: Hidden Disclosure

  • Disclosure in footer, not visible above fold
  • Fix: Move to top of post or near links

Issue 3: Vague Disclosure

  • "Commercial relationship" but doesn't say what
  • Fix: "Affiliate links - we earn commissions"

Issue 4: Disclosure Only in Footer/Policy

  • Users don't see it where it matters
  • Fix: Add to each post with affiliate links

Issue 5: Misleading Statement

  • "This doesn't affect your price" when it does
  • Fix: Be honest about commission structure

Geographic Compliance

USA (FTC):

  • Clear disclosure required
  • "Affiliate" or "We earn commissions"
  • Before link preferred

UK (ASA):

  • #ad or #sponsored on social
  • Clear on webpage
  • "Affiliate" label

EU (GDPR):

  • Transparent about relationships
  • Privacy policy must mention
  • Must be fair and honest

Canada (MACT):

  • Clear "material connection" disclosure
  • Before user makes decision
  • Honest representation

Automation Script

Find non-compliant pages:

const fs = require('fs');
const path = require('path');

function checkAffiliateLinkCompliance(htmlContent) {
  const affiliateRegex = /amazon\.com\/.*\?tag=|cjdropshipping\.com\/.*\?ref=|click\.../g;
  const disclosureRegex = /affiliate|commission|earn|compensat/i;

  const hasAffiliateLinks = affiliateRegex.test(htmlContent);
  const hasDisclosure = disclosureRegex.test(htmlContent);

  if (hasAffiliateLinks && !hasDisclosure) {
    return { compliant: false, reason: 'Missing disclosure' };
  }

  if (hasAffiliateLinks && hasDisclosure) {
    const disclosureIndex = htmlContent.indexOf(disclosureRegex);
    const affiliateIndex = htmlContent.indexOf(affiliateRegex);
    if (disclosureIndex > affiliateIndex) {
      return { compliant: false, reason: 'Disclosure after links' };
    }
  }

  return { compliant: true };
}

Success Metrics

  • 100% of affiliate link pages have disclosure
  • 100% of disclosures before links
  • All disclosures clear and conspicuous
  • No FTC violations or complaints
  • Compliant with all geographic requirements

Related Skills:

  • Policy compliance → policy-risk-scanner, policy-remediation-plan
  • Full audit → ads-readiness-assessment
  • Active monitoring → active-compliance-monitor