Affiliate Compliance Checklist: What to Check Before Every Post
Run through these checks before every piece of affiliate content goes live — whether it's a TikTok video, YouTube Short, Amazon review, Instagram Reel, or blog post. Missing one item on the wrong post can cost your account.
1. Disclosure check
Disclosure appears before the first product recommendation
In the video: first 5–10 seconds. In a caption: top of the post, before any product mentions.
Disclosure is clear and conspicuous — can't be missed
Not buried in hashtags, not in tiny font, not as a one-second flash on screen.
Disclosure explains the commission relationship
"I earn a commission if you buy through my link" — not just #ad or #sponsored, which don't explain the financial relationship.
For Amazon: includes exact required language
"As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases." This exact phrase is required by the Operating Agreement.
2. Claims check
No health or medical claims without substantiation
Remove: "heals", "cures", "treats", "clinically proven", "doctor-recommended" without studies to back them up.
No results claims without typical results disclaimer
"Lost 20 lbs in a month" — must include typical results context or remove entirely.
No fake urgency or scarcity
"Only available through my link" or "price expires today" — if not verifiably true, remove.
No Amazon-specific price claims
Cannot state specific prices from Amazon in content. Link to the product page instead: 'Check current price on Amazon.'
3. Platform tools check
TikTok: Branded Content toggle enabled (for TikTok Shop affiliate content)
In TikTok app → Post settings → Branded content. Required for monetized affiliate posts.
YouTube: Paid promotion toggle enabled
In YouTube Studio upload settings → Video elements → Paid promotion. Satisfies YouTube's platform policy.
Instagram: Paid partnership label added (for Reels and Posts)
In Instagram → Tag people → Add paid partnership. Separate from FTC disclosure.
Description/caption disclosure added in addition to platform tool
Platform tools satisfy platform policy. Caption disclosure (in addition) provides extra FTC protection.
4. Affiliate program rules check
TikTok Shop: No prohibited health claims for the product category
Supplements, beauty, and health products have category-specific prohibited claim lists. Check before posting.
Amazon Associates: No incentivized clicks or reviews
Offering discounts or rewards to viewers who click your links violates the Operating Agreement.
Amazon Associates: No Amazon branding in domain or headline
Cannot use 'Amazon' in site name, domain, or post title in a way that implies official affiliation.
Not cross-posting Amazon affiliate links to platforms that prohibit them
Some email platforms and ad platforms prohibit affiliate links. Know your destination before sending.
Platform-specific final checks
TikTok Shop
- Branded Content toggle enabled
- No prohibited health claims for product category
- Product listing is live and approved
- Disclosure in caption, not just audio
YouTube / Shorts
- Paid promotion toggle on
- Verbal disclosure in first 10 seconds
- Description has disclosure before links
- No demonetizable claims (health, controversial)
Amazon Associates
- Required disclosure language present
- No specific prices stated
- No Amazon branding misuse
- Links point to correct locale for audience
Instagram / Reels
- Paid partnership label enabled
- Caption disclosure at top, before hashtags
- Verbal disclosure in Reel (first 5 seconds)
- No unsubstantiated health/efficacy claims
High-risk content types — extra care required
- Supplements, vitamins, and weight loss products — prohibited claim categories are long and actively enforced
- Before/after content — FTC specifically targets transformation claims without typical results context
- Products with medical or therapeutic names — implies disease treatment claims even without explicit language
- AI-generated scripts — require same disclosure standards; automated content isn't an exemption
- Content cross-posted from a compliant platform to a non-compliant one (e.g. TikTok→YouTube Shorts)
Skip the manual checklist — let BanProof run it for you
Paste your script or caption. BanProof checks every item on this list automatically — FTC, platform rules, and affiliate program terms — in under 30 seconds.
BanProof.io is an independent AI compliance tool. Rules reflect FTC 2023 Endorsement Guides and current platform policies — verify current requirements with each platform and ftc.gov.