How to Disclose Affiliate Links on Pinterest

Using affiliate links on Pinterest is a powerful way to monetize your content, but getting the disclosure wrong can risk your audience's trust and land you in trouble with regulators. This guide breaks down exactly how to disclose your affiliate links correctly, so you can stay compliant, build credibility, and focus on creating Pins that connect with your followers. We’ll cover everything from the right hashtags to use to the specific steps for different Pin formats.

First Things First: Why Disclosure is So Important

Before we get into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." Properly disclosing your affiliate relationships isn't just a suggestion, it's a legal and ethical requirement that protects you, your audience, and the brands you partner with. Here are the three main reasons it’s non-negotiable:

• The FTC Requires It: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States has clear guidelines (called the Endorsement Guides) stating that you must disclose any "material connection" you have with a brand when you endorse or promote its products. An affiliate link, where you earn a commission on sales, is absolutely considered a material connection. Failing to disclose can lead to warnings or even fines.
• Pinterest's Policy Demands It: Pinterest's own Community Guidelines require creators to be transparent about paid relationships. They want the platform to be a place of discovery and trust, and hidden commercial intent undermines that. Not following their rules could result in your Pins being removed or your account being penalized.
• It Builds Audience Trust: This might be the most important reason of all. Your audience follows you for your taste, expertise, and recommendations. When you're upfront about earning a commission, you're being honest with them. Transparency shows respect for your followers and strengthens your relationship, making them more likely to trust your suggestions and click your links. Hiding it makes people feel tricked, which is the fastest way to lose a loyal follower.

What "Clear and Conspicuous" Actually Means

The FTC uses the phrase "clear and conspicuous" to describe how disclosures should be made, and it’s the standard you need to meet. It’s a simple concept, but it's where many creators get tripped up. Let's break down what it really means in the context of a fast-scrolling platform like Pinterest.

• It must be easy to find. The disclosure can't be buried at the end of a long Pin description that users have to click "more" to see. It should be one of the first things a person sees when they look at your Pin's description.
• It must be easy to understand. Use simple, plain language. Terms like #ad, #sponsored, or #affiliatelink are universally understood. Vague terms like #collab or #partner are not enough because they don't explicitly state that you are being compensated. "Thanks, [Brand Name]!" is also not a disclosure. You have to clearly state the commercial nature of the link.
• It cannot be hidden. Placing your disclosure hashtag in a light-colored font against a light background on your Pin image doesn't count. Hiding it in a sea of 20 other hashtags is also a bad idea. It needs to stand out.

Think of it this way: someone scrolling quickly should be able to identify your Pin as an ad or containing an affiliate link without having to stop and search for it. If they have to hunt for the disclosure, it's not conspicuous enough.

How to Disclose Affiliate Links on Different Pin Types

Pinterest offers several formats for your content, and the method for disclosure can vary slightly between them. Here’s a step-by-step guide for standard Pins, Video Pins, and Idea Pins.

1. Standard Image Pins

This is the most common Pin format and the most straightforward for disclosure. You have two main opportunities to disclose: in the description and on the image itself.

In the Pin Description:

This is the primary and most important place for your affiliate disclosure. Your description is where you tell people what the Pin is about, so it's a natural spot to include this information.

• Place It at the Beginning: The most crucial rule is to put your disclosure at the very start of your Pin description. Pinterest often truncates descriptions in the feed view, hiding anything written after the first 50-60 characters. If your disclosure is buried at the end, nobody will see it unless they click to expand the Pin.
  
  Example (Good):
Ad: My favorite ergonomic desk chair that saved my back! This is an affiliate link. Finding the right chair is a game-changer for anyone who works from home...
  
  Example (Bad - Buried):
Finding the right chair is a game-changer for anyone who works from home. After months of searching, I finally found the perfect ergonomic desk chair that saved my back. It’s stylish, comfortable, and totally adjustable. Check it out here! #workfromhome #homeoffice #desksetup #affiliatelink
• Use a Clear Hashtag or Phrase: A simple, easy-to-read hashtag like #ad, #affiliatelink, or #commissionearned works perfectly. You can also use a short phrase like "(Affiliate link)" or "This post contains affiliate links."

On the Pin Image (Text Overlay):

While not strictly required if your description is done right, adding a text overlay to your Pin graphic is a fantastic best practice. It makes your disclosure impossible to miss, even for scanners and scrollers who might not read the full description.

• Keep it simple. A small but legible "#ad" or "#sponsored" in one of the corners of your image is all you need.
• Make sure it's readable. Use a color that contrasts with the background image and a clean, simple font. Don't hide it behind other design elements.

2. Video Pins

Disclosure for Video Pins follows the same principles as Standard Pins, but you have the added element of time to consider.

• In the Description: Just like with a standard Pin, your first line of defense is a clear disclosure at the beginning of the title and/or description. This is mandatory.
• In the Video (Text Overlay): Because video content moves, it's a good idea to have your disclosure appear as a text overlay for at least the first few seconds of the video. This catches the viewer's attention right away. You can have it fade out after 3-5 seconds.
• Spoken Disclosure (Optional but Recommended): For videos where you are speaking directly to the camera (like a "talking head" style review), it can feel very natural to say something like, "The link is in the description, and full disclosure, it is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission if you purchase through it." This builds enormous trust and feels incredibly authentic.

3. Idea Pins (Now Part of Pin Creation)

Idea Pins are a multi-page format, which gives you even more opportunities to be transparent. Since Idea Pins don’t have a single clickable link out like a Standard Pin, you’ll typically be promoting a product that followers can search for or linking a product via "Product Tagging."

• Use the "Paid Partnership" Tool: When working with a brand, Pinterest has a built-in "paid partnership" tool that adds a label like "Paid partnership with [Brand Name]" to your Idea Pin. This is a great starting point, but the FTC often suggests that a simple "paid partnership" label might not be enough on its own. It's always best to supplement it.
• On the First Page/Slide: Your very first page or slide in your Idea Pin should have a clear text overlay stating "#ad" or "#sponsored." Don't make people swipe through three or four pages before they realize it's a monetized Pin.
• In the "Notes" or Caption: Every page of an Idea Pin has a space for text. At a minimum, include your written disclosure in the notes section of the first page.

The Best Hashtags and Wording to Use

Clarity is your best friend. There's no need to get creative with your disclosure language. Just state the facts. Stick with widely accepted terms that leave no room for misunderstanding.

Excellent Choices (Clear and Compliant):

• #ad: Short, sweet, and universally understood. You can't go wrong with this one.
• #sponsored: Another gold standard. Clearly indicates a paid relationship.
• #affiliatelink: This is perfectly explicit and great for non-sponsored links where you still earn a commission.
• #commissionearned: Similar to #affiliatelink, this one is unambiguous.
• Explicit Statements: Sometimes, spelling it out is best. For example: "(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)" or "This is an affiliate link."

Choices to Avoid (Vague and Non-Compliant):

• #partner / #collab: What does "partner" mean? People collaborate on projects for free all the time. This doesn't clearly state that money is being exchanged.
• #gifted: While it discloses that you received a product for free, it doesn't state if you are also earning a commission on sales. If you have an affiliate link, you need to state that separately.
• #ambassador: Brand ambassador agreements can vary widely. This doesn't inform the user that the specific link they are about to click will earn you a commission.
• "Thanks, [Brand]!": This looks like a shout-out, not a paid endorsement. It’s confusing and does not meet FTC standards.

Final Thoughts

Properly disclosing affiliate links on Pinterest is straightforward once you understand the core principle: be honest and be obvious. By placing clear, simple disclosures at the beginning of your descriptions, on your Pin images, and in your videos, you protect yourself, comply with regulations, and prove to your audience that you value their trust above all else.

Staying on top of disclosures is just one piece of creating a cohesive social media presence. As creators who manage multiple social accounts ourselves, we know how draining it can be to jump between planning calendars, scheduling posts, and finding the right assets for each platform. We built Postbase to streamline that chaos by bringing all our content planning into one beautiful, visual calendar. It helps us see our entire strategy at a glance, from Pinterest to TikTok to Instagram Reels, making the whole process feel organized and intentional instead of hectic.