The FTC requires bloggers to disclose whenever there could be hidden interests or unspoken biases related to recommendations.
Per the FTC rules, if I interview someone and they grab the bill for lunch, I would need to disclose this. Ditto if I use an Amazon link that gets me 8 cents instead of an Amazon link that gets me 0 cents. If someone gives me a comfy t-shirt with a logo and I wear it in a photo, same deal. Disclaimers all over the place.
This would be tedious for me and even more tedious for readers. But rules is rules.
To cover my ass and preserve your experience, please assume that, for every link and product I use, the following all hold true and I’m getting paid like I’m (Dollar) Bill Gates:
Please feel free to use the text and images on this page with proper attribution. There is no reason why each blogger should have to reinvent the wheel.
(Text courtesy of Tim Ferris and has been edited. Illustrations courtesy of Louis Gray and Jeannine Schafer)