Helpful Info About Affiliate Marketing and Disclosures
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend products, services, or experiences I personally use or believe in.
If you’ve ever clicked a link from your favorite blogger or influencer and wondered, “Am I helping them by using this link?”—the answer is likely yes! Let’s dive into affiliate marketing, how it works, and why it’s an excellent way to support the people you trust online.
What Is an Affiliate?
An affiliate is someone who partners with a company or brand to recommend their products, services, or experiences. When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, the affiliate earns a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It’s essentially a way for companies to say, “Thanks for spreading the word!”
For example, as a travel blogger, I might recommend a tour through Get Your Guide or link to a product I’ve personally used while traveling. If you book or purchase through my link, I receive a small reward for connecting you to something I believe in.
Notice how “Get Your Guide” is a highlighted link above? If you click the link and book a guided tour and take the tour, I will earn a commission.
If you read my post listing all the hotels I stayed at in Iceland you would have seen an affiliate link for each hotel. If you click on the link and book a hotel, I earn a commission even if it’s not for that specific location or hotel.
This is also true for Expedia, Hotels.com, and other companies that I am affiliated with.
How Does Affiliate Marketing Affect You?
Here’s the good news: it doesn’t cost you anything extra. Whether you use my affiliate link or go directly to the company’s website, the price stays the same.
What’s great about affiliate marketing is that it helps you find trusted recommendations from people who’ve already tested the product or experience. Instead of taking a shot in the dark, you get insights from someone you know—or follow—online.
Why Does Affiliate Marketing Have Negative Connotations?
Affiliate marketing sometimes gets a bad rap because of people promoting products they don’t care about. I completely understand why some people might be skeptical—honestly, I was, too.
Before working in this field, I thought affiliate marketing was just a way to push products and make money. It wasn’t until I learned more about it that I realized how powerful it can be when done with integrity. Now, I see it as a way to connect my audience with meaningful experiences and tools that I’ve personally tried or researched.
For ethical creators, affiliate marketing is about trust, not sales. My goal is to share value and make your travels easier—not to recommend things I wouldn’t use myself.
Why You See Affiliate Disclosures
You’ve probably noticed the phrase “This post contains affiliate links” on blogs or social media posts. That’s because it’s required by law for affiliates to disclose their partnerships with brands.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires creators to be upfront about affiliate links to ensure transparency. It’s a way to let you know that if you make a purchase through the link, the creator will earn a commission.
I include affiliate disclosures on my website and social media because:
- being honest and open with my audience is important to me
- I want you to feel confident that I’m recommending products and services I truly believe in
- plus I’m an absolute rule follower!
How Affiliate Marketing Helps Me as a Travel Blogger
Running a travel blog takes time, effort, and resources. From writing posts and taking photos to keeping my website running, every little bit of support helps me continue to do what I love: sharing travel tips and experiences with you.
By using my affiliate links, you’re helping me grow my blog and keep providing free content—all without any additional cost to you. It’s a win-win!
Why Supporting Affiliates Matters
When you shop through an affiliate link, you’re directly supporting someone you trust—a family member, a friend, or a creator whose content you enjoy. It’s a small way to say “thank you” to the people who inspire or help you in your daily life.
So, the next time you see an affiliate link from someone you know, consider clicking it if you are already planning to make a purchase.
Your support means the world to creators!
Hope This Was Helpful
Affiliate marketing is a simple, transparent way for creators like me to keep doing what I love while connecting you with products and experiences I believe in. Thank you for supporting my journey as a travel blogger—I couldn’t do it without you!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about affiliate marketing or the products I recommend. I’m always happy to share more!
