Compliance & Legal
Stay Legal & Ethical
FTC compliance, health claim guidelines, and safe language alternatives
FTC Disclosure Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
What You MUST Disclose
- • Any financial relationship with the brands you promote
- • That you earn commission from purchases through your links
- • Free products or services you received for review
Where to Disclose
- • Social Media: At the BEGINNING of captions, before "see more"
- • Video: Both visually (on screen) AND audibly (say it)
- • Never hide it in a separate page or buried in description
Approved Disclosure Language
- • #ad or #sponsored (always use hashtag)
- • "Affiliate link" or "I earn commission"
- • Clear and prominent, not hidden in hashtag soup
Copy-Paste Disclosure Templates
Platform-specific FTC-compliant disclosures
TikTok/Reels
#ad - This video contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you.
YouTube Description
DISCLOSURE: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This comes at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in.
Pinterest Pin
(Overlay text on image) #ad - Affiliate Link
Bio/Link Tree
🔗 Affiliate links below - I earn commission on purchases
Health Claim Do's and Don'ts
What you can and cannot say about health products
❌ NEVER Say:
- • "Cures", "treats", "prevents", or "diagnoses" any disease
- • Specific guaranteed weight loss amounts or timeframes
- • That something is FDA-approved (unless it actually is)
- • Medical advice or diagnose viewers
- • Make claims the brand itself doesn't make
✓ You CAN Say:
- • "Supports", "may help", "promotes"
- • General wellness and structure/function claims
- • Personal experience with proper disclaimers
- • Encourage viewers to consult healthcare professionals
- • Share scientific research when it exists
Safe Language Alternatives
Replace risky claims with compliant alternatives
❌ Unsafe
"Cures anxiety"
✓ Safe Alternative
"Supports stress management"
❌ Unsafe
"Guaranteed weight loss"
✓ Safe Alternative
"May support healthy weight management"
❌ Unsafe
"Treats depression"
✓ Safe Alternative
"Supports mental wellness"
❌ Unsafe
"Lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks"
✓ Safe Alternative
"Sustainable approach to healthy weight"
❌ Unsafe
"This will fix your problems"
✓ Safe Alternative
"This has helped many people manage..."
High-Risk Words to Avoid
Medical Claims
- • Cure
- • Treat
- • Diagnose
- • Prevent disease
- • Fix
- • Heal
Guarantees
- • Guaranteed results
- • 100% effective
- • Works for everyone
- • Miracle
- • Breakthrough
- • Revolutionary (unless true)
Extreme Claims
- • Rapid weight loss
- • Lose X lbs in Y days
- • Effortless results
- • No exercise needed
- • Eat whatever you want
- • Instant relief
Additional Compliance Notes
Supplement-Specific Rules
- • Include "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA" when making structure/function claims
- • Only make claims that the brand itself makes
- • Never claim supplements replace medical treatment
Mental Health Content
- • Never diagnose or provide therapy yourself
- • Always encourage professional help
- • Be sensitive to serious conditions
- • Include crisis hotline info when discussing serious topics (988)
Testimonials & Reviews
- • Always disclose if you received free product
- • Include "Results may vary" or "This is my experience"
- • Don't create fake reviews or testimonials
- • Be honest about both pros and cons
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about FTC compliance and health marketing guidelines. It is not legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney for specific legal guidance.