Ethical Marketing
The Use of Affiliate Links for Writers on Medium
Guidance to writers who need to use affiliate links in stories
The Importance of Declaring Affiliate Links on Medium
Medium is not a sales and marketing platform. Instead, it is a platform designed for storytelling and article writing. However, Medium allows writers to use affiliate links in their stories meaningfully without overt marketing and sales content.
Remember your goal on Medium. You are a storyteller, not a seller or marketer, on this platform. Yes, you may occasionally use affiliate links following rules and regulations. The use of affiliate links not only relates to ethics but also to rules and regulations.
Some writers ask about the risk of using affiliate links in their stories as they heard some accounts using affiliate links were suspended. This is true. However, the suspension is not because of using affiliate links but because of not declaring the affiliate links in the stories.
Medium makes it clear in the guidelines. Here is the Medium rule definition:
“You must disclose affiliate links or payment for a post. Affiliate links, such as link out to Amazon with your code, or any other link out where you will receive a commission or other value, are allowed in posts. But, you must disclose somewhere in the post that it includes affiliate links. If you have received payment, goods or services, or something else of value in exchange for writing a post, you must still disclose this fact in writing within your post (as per FTC Rules and Guides).”
I included this rule in the conduct guidelines of the ILLUMINATION Integrated publication. Our editors review, track, and guide contributors on using affiliate links properly on stories submitted to our publications.
In addition to understanding Medium rules, I also recommend reading the Federal Trade Commission guidelines. This guideline includes frequently asked questions about using affiliates and endorsement for writers and bloggers.
I shared Chapter 9 titled Six Best Business Practices for Digital Affіlіаtе Mаrkеters in the book The Power of Digital Affiliate Marketing. Please check item #5 about legal requirements.
I also showed an example of using an affiliate link and how to declare it on item #2.
You can use declarations in your own words in any part of the story. For example, you can create a note saying: “This story includes affiliate links. I earn income from purchases through this link”.
There is no specific location in the rule. Most of the writers use it at the end.
If you are a content developer, affiliate marketing can help you earn passive income. It is a multi-billion dollar industry. When done properly, digital affiliate marketing can be an alternative source of income for writers.
For those unfamiliar with the concept, affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing model where individuals or businesses (affiliates) can promote the products or services of a company and earn a commission for each successful referral or sale they generate.
Affiliates use unique links or codes to track their referrals. When someone purchases through their link, the affiliate receives a commission.
It is a popular online marketing strategy that benefits both the affiliate and the company by leveraging the affiliate’s audience and driving sales or leads for the company’s products or services.
I wrote several articles and a book about affiliate marketing, which is available to members of Medium. I link them below so that you can read them to understand the concept and mechanisms. They are for beginners.
Related and Guiding Articles on Affiliate Marketing for Writers
I authored a book explaining the details for content creators. I share this published book, one chapter a day, on ILLUMINATION Book Chapters.
The following chapters can inform you and get you started in this exciting venture.
Chapter 1
How Authors Can Write More And Earn Passive Income
Chapter 2
An overview of digital affiliate marketing
Chapter 3
Benefits of Digital Affiliate Marketing for Merchants
Chapter 4
Key Business Stakeholders
Chapter 5
How Does Affіlіate Mаrkеtіng Work?
Chapter 6
Type of affіlіаtе prоgrаmѕ
Chapter 7
Credibility, influence, and trust for digital affiliate marketing
Chapter 8
Hоw Tо Start Affіlіаtе Mаrkеtіng
Chapter 9
Six Best Business Practices for Digital Affіlіаtе Mаrkеters
Chapter 10
Proven Strаtеgіеѕ For Digital Affіlіаtе Mаrkеtіng
Chapter 11
Globally Recognized Digital Affiliate Marketing Merchants
Chapter 12
Payment Processing And Methods For Digital Marketers
Chapter 13
Key Principles In Chооѕіng Yоur Fіrѕt Marketing Prоgrаm
Chapter 14
Vital Resources And Popular Programs For Digital Marketers
Chapter 15
Tips For Growth And Mistakes To Avoid In Digital Marketing Business
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Compelling Reasons For Digital Marketers To Become Affiliates With Outstanding Merchants
Chapter 18
Global Industry Trеndѕ For Digital Mаrkеtіng Merchants And Affiliates On A Global Scale
Chapter 19
Analyzing Key Factors Before Signing A Merchant’s Digital Affiliate Program
Chapter 20
An Assessment Of Popular And Rewarding Digital Affiliate Programs And Networks
Chapter 21
How Merchants Leverage The Power Of Digital Affiliate Marketing
Chapter 22
Dynamics of Marketing Links, Clicks, And Customer Conversions
Chapter 23
A Simple Model To Understand A Marketing Funnel
Chapter 24
How To Start Your First Promotion With Clickbank
Chapter 25
Commonly used affiliate marketing terms
Review of the book by Dr. Preeti Singh on SYNERGY.
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