Put a clear commission notice at the very top of your YouTube livestream description, before the affiliate links. If you endorse a product during the livestream, disclose the affiliate relationship in the stream too: FTC guidance recommends repeating the disclosure periodically so people who join later see it, and says a clear, continuous on-screen notice is a cautious option for a long-running stream. A description notice alone may not reach viewers who never open it.
What to write above your affiliate links
Use ordinary language that says what you may receive and what triggers it. For example:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through links in this description.
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This makes the financial connection clearer than “affiliate link” by itself. The FTC gives “I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post” as an example of direct wording. Do not imply that the FTC requires one exact sentence; the aim is to make the relationship understandable to viewers.
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You can add “The price you pay is not affected by my commission” only if that is true for your arrangement. Put the notice before the links, not after a long list or where viewers must expand “Show more” to find it. Keep it near any product-specific recommendation as well.
Is a description disclosure enough for a 24/7 livestream?
No, not when the stream itself contains an endorsement tied to the affiliate relationship. A viewer may arrive after the stream began, watch without opening the description, or see only a segment. The FTC’s guidance says that when an endorsement is made in a video, disclosure should be in the video as well as near the links in the description.
For livestreams, the FTC says disclosures should be repeated periodically so viewers who see only part of the stream receive them. It also says that, to be on the safe side, creators could keep a continuous, clear and conspicuous disclosure visible throughout the stream. The guidance does not prescribe a particular interval, so do not treat any specific number of minutes as a required schedule.
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How to make the disclosure visible during the stream
Use a persistent notice where practical
For a 24/7 stream, a readable on-screen notice that remains visible is a practical way to reach people who join at different times. Keep it clear, legible at the size viewers are likely to watch, and on screen long enough to be read. Do not obscure important content or place it where interface controls routinely cover it.
Repeat the notice if it is not continuously displayed
If you use a temporary spoken or visual disclosure instead of a persistent notice, repeat it periodically during the stream. A notice only at the beginning is not a dependable way to inform later arrivals. The FTC recommends repetition but does not set an exact frequency.
Match the disclosure to the endorsement
If the stream recommends a particular product, make the connection clear in the stream when that recommendation appears, and keep the description disclosure close to the corresponding link. A general notice should not leave viewers guessing which links may earn you a commission.
Affiliate links and sponsorships are not the same disclosure task
| Relationship | What to do |
|---|---|
| Commission earned when someone buys through an affiliate link | Clearly state that you may earn a commission, place the notice before and near the links, and disclose in the stream when an endorsement is made there. |
| Brand-paid placement, sponsorship, or other value provided by a brand partner | Where YouTube’s branded-content policy applies, declare the branded content using the Studio control. You remain responsible for making the disclosure clear and prominent and meeting applicable legal requirements. |
YouTube’s branded-content policy covers content influenced by a brand partner in exchange for something of value, including content in descriptions and livestreams. Its Studio declaration adds a platform label, but YouTube says creators remain responsible for clear disclosure and applicable law. Do not assume that the platform label by itself explains a separate commission arrangement attached to affiliate links.
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YouTube’s link guidance distinguishes formats and viewing modes. URLs in long-form video descriptions are clickable. URLs in live chat and channel descriptions are clickable for horizontal live streams, while live-chat and channel-description URLs are not clickable in the mobile app’s vertical live feed. External clickable links in relevant locations require access to YouTube’s advanced features.
Clickability is separate from disclosure: a link that viewers cannot tap still needs an appropriate disclosure if it is an affiliate link, and a clickable link does not make the commission relationship clear on its own. Consider where your audience watches before relying on chat or channel links.
Example description layout
Disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through links in this description. The price you pay is not affected by my commission.
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Use the second sentence only if accurate for your affiliate arrangement. Keep the disclosure ahead of all affiliate links and close to relevant recommendations. In the livestream itself, also show or repeat a disclosure when the stream endorses those products.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Rules vary by location
The FTC material here is U.S. guidance, not a universal legal rule or a substitute for advice about a particular channel. YouTube also notes that legal requirements vary by region. If you or your audience are outside the United States, check the disclosure rules that apply where you operate and where your viewers are located.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the YouTube paid-promotion label disclose affiliate commissions?
Not necessarily. It is YouTube’s declaration for branded content and does not automatically explain a commission earned through an affiliate link; use clear wording near those links too.
Does the FTC set a specific interval for repeating a livestream disclosure?
No numeric interval is specified in the cited guidance. It recommends periodic repetition and describes a continuous clear disclosure as a cautious option.
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