Disclosing affiliate relationships without changing the verdict

An AI writing-tool review should tell readers when an affiliate link can earn commission, which recommendations or placements are affected, and whether a supplier can influence coverage or presentation. Apply the same evidence and decision criteria whether a tool earns commission or not.

Australian Consumer Law (ACL) requires affiliate-style advertising to be clearly disclosed and not misleading.

Identify the relationship

Record benefits connected with the review, including affiliate commission, advertising, paid access and special product access. Note who supplied them and whether the supplier could see, edit or approve copy before publication. Describe a free trial available to everyone differently from access supplied specifically for a review.

Set the AI tools covered on editorial grounds. If commercial relationships limit a comparison to suppliers that provide affiliate commission, say so where readers see that selection; do not imply a whole-market search. Explain the criteria for any ranking and support its order with evidence.

Place the disclosure beside the decision

Use plain wording before the affected recommendation and immediately beside the relevant affiliate link. A statement in site terms alone can be missed.

Where commission, limited coverage and paid placement all apply, wording can read: “We may earn commission when you buy through an affiliate link. This review covers only AI tools from suppliers that provide affiliate commission. ‘Sponsored by [supplier]’ marks paid placement; it does not change our evidence-based verdict.” Use only the clauses that match the actual arrangement.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is the applicable law for affiliate-style advertising: it must be clearly disclosed and not mislead. The ACCC’s named guide is Online reviews—a guide for business and review platforms.

The ACCC’s Online reviews for product and services page says it provides businesses with general guidance on online reviews and accepts reports about fake or misleading reviews and review manipulation. If a business misleads people in relation to online reviews, the ACCC can investigate and may take compliance or enforcement action. It does not resolve individual disputes or provide legal advice.

Balancing Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Integrity

Key ACCC Guidance on Online Reviews and Affiliates

Keep payment out of the judgement

Use the same acceptance rule for paying and non-paying AI tools. Keep material weaknesses in the review and preserve the evidence behind each recommendation. If a supplier disputes a negative finding, change it only when evidence warrants a correction.

Label paid placement clearly with wording such as “Sponsored by [supplier]” or “Ad”, and keep it visibly separate from the editorial ranking. Readers should be able to distinguish commercial prominence from an evidence-based order.

Audit each recommendation by recording the commercial relationship, any coverage limit, the criteria, supporting evidence and verdict. Check that the same criteria and evidence support paying and non-paying recommendations, and revisit any verdict or order that appears to change with commission status.

Recheck the wording and placement when an affiliate arrangement starts, ends or changes. Check the rendered page so readers can see the disclosure where they consider the recommendation.