FTC Disclosure Guide for Rootly Affiliates
Rootly Marketplace, LLC · Last Updated: April 2026
Why This Matters
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that anyone who receives compensation for endorsing or recommending a product or service must clearly disclose that relationship. As a Rootly affiliate, you earn commissions when Sellers sign up through your link. Every time you promote Rootly, you must disclose this.
This is not a Rootly policy — it is federal law under the FTC Act (16 CFR Part 255). Violations can result in FTC enforcement action against you personally, including fines.
This guide provides platform-specific examples to make compliance easy. For the full legal terms, see the Affiliate Program Agreement, Section 4.
1. The Golden Rule
Your disclosure must be clear, conspicuous, and in the same communication as your promotion. A reader or viewer should understand your financial relationship with Rootly before they click your link or act on your recommendation.
Ask yourself: “Would a reasonable person who sees this post understand that I earn money if they sign up?” If the answer is no, your disclosure is not adequate.
2. Platform-Specific Examples
Instagram (Feed Posts & Reels)
Example post:
“If you're a local farmer or food producer, check out @rootlymarket — it's the easiest way to sell directly to your community. Link in bio!
#ad #affiliate — I earn a commission if you sign up through my link.”
- Place #ad or #affiliate at the beginning of your hashtags, not buried at the end.
- Use Instagram's built-in “Paid partnership” label when available.
- For Reels: say the disclosure out loud (“I'm a Rootly affiliate”) AND include it in the caption.
- Stories: use a text overlay with “Ad” or “Affiliate link” visible before the swipe-up or link sticker.
TikTok
Example caption:
“This is how local food producers are making money on Rootly Market (affiliate link in bio — I earn a commission if you sign up) #rootly #localfood #ad”
- Say it in the video — TikTok is audio-first. A written caption alone is not enough.
- Use TikTok's “Branded content” toggle if available.
- Include #ad in the caption as well, not just spoken.
Facebook (Posts & Stories)
Example post:
“Hey everyone! I've been telling local producers about Rootly Market and I want to be upfront — I'm an affiliate and earn a commission when sellers sign up through my link. That said, I genuinely think this platform is great for anyone selling at farmers markets. Here's my link if you're interested: [link]”
- Place the disclosure before your link, not after.
- For Facebook Stories: text overlay with “Affiliate link” or “Ad” visible throughout.
Facebook Groups
Example group post:
“Disclosure: I'm a Rootly affiliate and earn a commission if you sign up through my link.
That said, I wanted to share this with the group because I think it could help local sellers here reach more customers. Rootly is a marketplace for local food producers — great for anyone who sells at farmers markets. Happy to answer questions! [link]”
- Lead with the disclosure in group posts — group members are particularly trusting of peer recommendations.
- Check group rules first — some groups prohibit affiliate links entirely.
- Never create posts that look like organic recommendations when they are financially motivated.
YouTube
Example video description:
“DISCLOSURE: Some links in this description are affiliate links. I earn a commission if you sign up for Rootly through my link, at no extra cost to you.”
- Say it in the video within the first 30 seconds (“Full disclosure, I'm a Rootly affiliate”).
- Also include it in the video description above the fold (before “Show more”).
- Use YouTube's built-in “Includes paid promotion” checkbox.
Blog Posts & Websites
Example disclosure (place at the top of the article):
“Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up for Rootly Market through my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I genuinely believe in.”
- Place the disclosure at the top of the article, not just in a footer or sidebar.
- A site-wide “Affiliate Disclosure” page is helpful but does not replace per-article disclosure.
- Each article that contains an affiliate link must have its own disclosure.
Email & Newsletters
Example disclosure (place near the top of the email):
“Note: This email contains an affiliate link. I earn a commission if you sign up for Rootly through the link below.”
- Include the disclosure above your affiliate link, not at the bottom of the email.
- Subject lines must not be misleading (don't imply an exclusive deal that doesn't exist).
- Remember: unsolicited commercial email (spam) is prohibited under the affiliate agreement.
Podcasts
Example spoken disclosure:
“Quick note — I'm a Rootly Market affiliate, so if you sign up using the link in the show notes, I do earn a commission. Just want to be upfront about that.”
- Say the disclosure before you discuss or recommend Rootly, not after.
- Include a written disclosure in the show notes/episode description as well.
- If you mention Rootly in multiple episodes, disclose in each one.
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|
| Putting “#affiliate” at the end of 30 hashtags | Put #ad or #affiliate as the first hashtag |
| Disclosing only in your bio or profile page | Disclose in every individual post that promotes Rootly |
| “Thanks to Rootly for this opportunity!” | “I earn a commission if you sign up through my link” |
| Only disclosing in video descriptions, not in the video | Say it out loud in the video AND write it in the description |
| Using ambiguous language: “I partnered with Rootly” | Be explicit: “I'm a Rootly affiliate and earn a commission” |
| Disclosing once in a thread, then posting the link in a follow-up | Include the disclosure in the same message as the link |
| Assuming DMs and private messages don't need disclosure | All promotional messages need disclosure, including DMs |
4. Enforcement Policy
Rootly takes FTC compliance seriously. We monitor affiliate promotional activity and enforce disclosure requirements through the following escalation process:
Warning
First violation: We will contact you by email requesting that you add or correct the disclosure within 48 hours. We may provide specific guidance on what needs to change.
Suspension
Second violation or failure to correct after warning: Your affiliate link and commission earnings will be suspended for 30 days. You must complete a brief compliance acknowledgment before reinstatement.
Termination
Third violation or any egregious non-disclosure (large audience, deceptive intent): Immediate termination of your affiliate account under Section 8.2 of the Affiliate Agreement. All unpaid commissions are forfeited.
Note: Rootly may skip directly to suspension or termination for serious violations involving fraud, deception, or intentional non-disclosure to large audiences. The enforcement steps above are guidelines, not guarantees of progressive discipline.
5. Quick-Reference Checklist
Before you post any content promoting Rootly, run through this checklist:
- ✓Does the post contain a clear statement that I earn a commission?
- ✓Is the disclosure in the same post/message/video as my promotion?
- ✓Can a reader/viewer see the disclosure before clicking my link?
- ✓For video/audio: did I say the disclosure out loud?
- ✓Is the language unambiguous? (“I earn a commission” — not “thanks for the partnership”)
- ✓Is everything I said about Rootly truthful and accurate?
6. Resources
- Rootly Affiliate Program Agreement — full legal terms
- FTC Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers — official FTC guidance
- FTC Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255) — the full regulation
7. Questions?
If you're unsure whether a specific post needs a disclosure or how to phrase it, email us at partners@rootlymarket.com. We'd rather help you get it right than have to enforce a violation.
Rootly Marketplace, LLC — FTC Disclosure Guide for Affiliates