Affiliate Disclosure
This page covers two things:
- Our own affiliate disclosure. What it means when we link to third-party products on our site.
- Disclosure requirements for Pinfluence affiliates. What you must do if you promote Pinfluence as a paid or non-customer affiliate.
1. Our affiliate disclosure (when Pinfluence links to third parties)
When pinfluencing.com or any Pinfluence content (including emails, mini-courses, and member resources) links to a third-party product or service, that link may be an affiliate link. If you click through and purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
We only recommend products and services we use ourselves or have direct, current experience with. We have no obligation to promote any specific third-party product, and we frequently link to free or non-affiliated resources where they serve our audience better.
If a piece of content contains affiliate links, that fact is disclosed at the top of the content or near the relevant link, in accordance with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides.
2. The Pinfluence Affiliate Program: disclosure rules for affiliates
If you participate in the Pinfluence Affiliate Program (either as an auto-enrolled paid member or as an approved non-customer affiliate), you agree to disclose your affiliate relationship clearly and conspicuously on all content where you promote Pinfluence.
2.1 The FTC’s basic rule
Under the FTC Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255), if there is a “material connection” between you and the brand you’re endorsing, that connection must be disclosed. An affiliate commission is a material connection.
Disclosures must be:
- Clear and conspicuous. Hidden in a footer or buried at the end of a long page is not enough.
- Close to the recommendation. Disclose where the recommendation appears, not in a separate “Disclosures” page only.
- Understandable to the audience. Plain language, not legal jargon.
2.2 Where you must disclose
Disclose on every platform where you place an affiliate link or recommendation:
- Blog posts and articles: at the top of the post AND inline near each affiliate link
- YouTube videos: in the video itself (verbally and/or via on-screen text) AND in the description
- Social media posts: in the post text itself (not buried in a long thread or hidden behind a “more” link)
- Email newsletters: in the email body, before or alongside the affiliate link
- Podcasts: verbally in the episode itself
- Paid ads (including ads on brand terms): in the ad copy and on the landing page
2.3 Sample disclosure language
You can use or adapt these. Make them visible.
Short disclosure (for limited-space platforms):
“Affiliate link. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.”
Standard disclosure (for blog posts, YouTube descriptions, emails):
“Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and trust.”
Full disclosure (for cornerstone content or first-time recommendations):
“I’m an affiliate for Pinfluence, which means if you click my link and subscribe to a paid plan, I’ll earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I recommend Pinfluence because [reason]. This disclosure is in accordance with the FTC Endorsement Guides.”
2.4 What you can’t do
- Don’t claim Pinfluence said something we didn’t say. Don’t fabricate quotes, testimonials, or features.
- Don’t promise specific traffic, revenue, or ranking outcomes. Pinterest® performance depends on many factors.
- Don’t impersonate Pinfluence. Don’t run ads or content that look like they come from us officially.
- Don’t make unsubstantiated claims about competitors. Stick to factual comparisons.
- Don’t use Pinfluence in your domain name, social handle, or business name in a way that creates confusion about who you are.
2.5 Brand-term bidding
You can bid on Pinfluence brand terms in paid search (Pinfluence, Pinfluence Discover, Pinfluence Intel, The Huddle, The Inner Huddle, Pinguino). This is permitted under our program. The same disclosure rules above apply to brand-term ads.
2.6 What happens if you don’t disclose
If we find affiliate content from a Pinfluence affiliate that doesn’t include FTC-compliant disclosure, we’ll reach out asking you to update the content. If you don’t update within a reasonable window, or if violations are repeated, we may:
- Withhold pending commissions on the non-compliant content
- Suspend your affiliate account
- Terminate your affiliate enrollment
FTC enforcement is between you and the FTC. We require disclosure because it’s the law, it protects your audience, and it protects our brand.
3. Where to learn more about FTC affiliate disclosure rules
- FTC Endorsement Guides: ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking
- FTC Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers: ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/disclosures-101-social-media-influencers
4. Contact
Questions about the Affiliate Program or this Disclosure? Email info@pinfluencing.com.
For affiliate program rules and commission rates, see Affiliate Program.