Commercial context should be visible, not inferred
A commercial relationship can be relevant to how a reader weighs a recommendation, even when the content is useful. The important principle is clarity: readers should see a material connection near the content or link it relates to, in plain language they can understand.
Future Attach Planet comparison content should disclose a material affiliate, paid, sponsored, free-product, loan, partner or other commercial relationship clearly and close to the relevant recommendation or link. A disclosure does not make a weak comparison trustworthy; it gives readers the context needed to assess the content.
What a useful disclosure explains
- What relationship exists: affiliate commission, payment, sponsorship, free product, loan, partnership or another material benefit.
- Which product, company, link or comparison the disclosure relates to.
- Whether the relationship affected access, inclusion or presentation, where that is relevant.
- That the reader can make a choice without relying on the disclosure as a substitute for evidence.
- Where to find more detail about methodology, commercial relationships and corrections.
- That price, availability and terms can change and should be checked with the seller.
Place disclosure where a reader can use it
A disclosure buried on a distant policy page or after a long comparison may not provide useful context at the point of action. The FTC says material connections should be disclosed clearly and conspicuously, while the ASA notes that affiliate marketing communications need to be obviously identifiable. See the FTC Endorsement Guides guidance and ASA affiliate marketing advice.
Disclosure is necessary, not a quality shortcut
A clear disclosure lets a reader assess context. The comparison still needs a stated audience, fair inclusion, current evidence, limitations and no unsupported claims. If a commercial relationship compromises the ability to compare fairly, the scope should be changed or the conclusion withheld.
Commercial disclosure FAQs
Does an affiliate link make a comparison unreliable?
Not automatically. It is relevant context that should be disclosed. Reliability depends on the method, evidence, scope, limitations and whether the relationship is allowed to distort inclusion or conclusions.
What counts as a material relationship?
It can include payment, commission, sponsorship, a free or loaned product, partnership or another benefit that a reasonable reader may want to know about when evaluating the recommendation.
Why disclose near the link or recommendation?
Readers need the information at the point where it can affect their decision. A general policy page can add detail but may not be enough on its own.
Read comparisons with the right context
Use these guides to understand what a comparison can and cannot tell you. A useful result makes the inclusion, evidence, uncertainty, regional limits and commercial context visible before a reader acts.
