If you are active on YouTube and monetize content, you have probably already thought about the correct labeling of advertisements and affiliate links. Not only legal requirements must be considered, but also transparency towards your community. Incorrect or insufficient labeling can not only cause legal problems but also undermine the trust of your audience. In this guide, you will learn when and how to correctly label advertisements and affiliate links.
Key Insights
- Advertisements must always be labeled when you are paid for or receive products for free.
- The labeling must be clearly visible and easy to read.
- Affiliate links must also be clearly labeled as advertisements.
- Legal requirements can change constantly. It is advisable to stay informed regularly.
Step-by-step guide to labeling
1. Basic understanding of advertising
Before you start labeling, it is important to understand the basics. Advertisements must always be labeled when you are paid for the video or receive a product for free. To be on the safe side, seek legal advice on this topic if in doubt.
2. Legal framework
Since these rules can change constantly, it is advisable to rely on trustworthy sources. You should ensure to extract some keywords and information from the current legal documents to stay in line with regulations.
3. Labeling in the video settings
The first step to learning about advertising is labeling the advertising in the YouTube video settings. This is done to inform YouTube that advertising should be displayed. For example, if you are advertising for Company X, this labeling ensures that competing products are not displayed next to your video.
4. Visibility of labeling in the video
Furthermore, it is important to make the labeling directly visible in the video. This could be done through a small notice in a corner of your video. Please ensure that this notice is easily readable. If you are constantly talking about a product, it is advisable to indicate "infomercial" instead of just "advertisement."
5. Labeling in the video description
If you have referenced a product in the video description or offer coaching services, you must also clearly indicate this. An effective way is to use special characters or asterisks to point out the advertisement, making it clearly visible to your viewers.
6. Correctly labeling affiliate links
The next important component is labeling of affiliate links. Affiliate links are special links through which you earn a commission when viewers purchase a product through this link. These links must be clearly marked as such in the description. An example would be: "*Here is my PC: [Affiliate-Link]."
7. Explanation of affiliate labeling
In addition to simply labeling your affiliate links in the description, it is important to explain to your viewers what these links mean. You can do this by explaining, for example: "All links marked with * are affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission without you having to pay more."
8. Distinguishing between advertising and affiliate links
Differentiate the labeling for advertising and affiliate links to avoid confusion. For example, you could label affiliate links with an asterisk and advertising with two asterisks. This differentiation contributes to transparency and clarity for your viewers.
Summary
In this tutorial, you have learned how to correctly label advertising and affiliate links on YouTube. Clear communication with your audience is crucial to build trust and avoid legal issues. Make sure to regularly check the legal requirements and guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time do I have to mark advertisements?As soon as you are associated with a product in your video, you should immediately make the disclosure.
Do I also have to mark free products?Yes, even free products must be labeled as advertising.
Does the labeling requirement also apply to other platforms?Yes, the labeling applies not only to YouTube, but also to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms.
What should I do if the labeling rules change?It is advisable to regularly inform yourself about current laws and guidelines or consult an expert.
How can I ensure that my disclosure is visible?Make sure to choose a large enough text and place it in a clearly visible location in your video.
