Why You Should Add Instagram Alt Text to Your Posts (+ Tutorial!)

An example of alt text on Instagram. Shows an image description that reads "a light green graphic that says Accessibility: what's vital to some is valuable to all."

What’s one of the first platforms that come to your mind when you think about social media marketing? If you’re like most marketers and entrepreneurs, chances are you’re already thinking about promoting your brand on Instagram.

With more than 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram is one of the most popular and engaging social media platforms. It’s a great platform for boosting brand awareness and audience engagement, particularly for small businesses.

Whether you’re selling handmade jewelry or artisanal cheese, your potential customers are likely using Instagram.

Instagram: The Marketers’ Platform

Here’s the thing – the brains behind Instagram understand this and therefore, roll out useful features for marketers and content creators. Hashtags, Instagram Shopping and in-app purchases, IGTV, Instagram Reels – the platform has introduced various features to help brands boost visibility and conversions.

But while you’re focusing on the creator-friendly aspects, there’s a powerful new feature you might be ignoring. That is the Instagram alt text feature. While this feature was introduced in November 2018, most marketers and business owners have yet to use it to its full potential.

However, adding a relevant and descriptive alt text can go a long way to boost the reach and accessibility of your Instagram posts.

Also, it only takes a few easy steps to add Instagram alt text to new and existing posts! If you’re ready to implement your Instagram marketing strategy, it’s high time you focus on the alt text.

In this blog, we’ll outline the steps to add alt text to an Instagram post. But let’s first delve deeper into the concept and explore its benefits.

What is Alt Text on Instagram?

If you’re familiar with search engine optimization (SEO), you’ve likely come across the term “image alt text”. Simply put, alt text or alternative text is the description that’s displayed when an image fails to load on a web page.

The same definition applies to the context of Instagram photos. It’s a text description that appears instead of an image when:

  • The image doesn’t load due to poor internet connectivity
  • The user can’t see the image and needs a screen reader to access the platform 

The main objective behind introducing alt text on Instagram is to make the platform more accessible.

This is crucial because Instagram users with visual impairment can’t use the platform the way most people do. Instead, they need screen readers that read aloud text descriptions of on-screen images.

So, providing alt text for Instagram posts ensures that your content is accessible to users with visual impairments.

But this isn’t the only reason you should be adding alt text to your posts. Adding the right alt text can also help improve the performance of your Instagram posts.

Alt Text for Instagram SEO: How & Why It Works

When you think of SEO, you’re likely thinking about content optimization and link building. However, adding keyword-rich alt text to the images on your blog posts can also help drive traffic to your website!

It’s because this helps search engines understand the content of the image and include it in relevant image search results.

Likewise, when you add relevant alt text to an Instagram post, it helps the Instagram algorithm understand what the image is all about. This, in turn, increases the chances of your post showing up in the “Explore” section of your target users’ Instagram accounts. This has become even more crucial with the latest changes in Instagram Search.

While the platform uses image recognition to analyze every post, the alt text ensures your content is shown to the right people. Also, it’ll help you reach your target audience when they’re looking for posts related to your brand/niche/product.

And if Google decides to include Instagram photos in image search, it’ll ensure that your posts show up in relevant results. This, in turn, will expand and diversify your reach.

How to Add Alt Text to Your Instagram Posts

First things first – Instagram uses object recognition technology to generate automatic alt text for every post. But these text descriptions often lack context and accuracy. Also, they don’t explain why and how the image is related to your brand/product. 

That’s why it is always a good idea to edit the automatic alt text and replace it with a custom description for every Instagram post. In the following sections, we’ll find out how to add and edit alt text on Instagram. Let’s get started!

Adding Alt Text to a New Instagram Post

If you’re uploading a new Instagram post, here are the steps you should follow to add custom alt text:

1. Launch the Instagram app on your phone and follow the usual steps to select and edit a photo. Click the forward arrow on the top-right corner after you’ve applied a filter and edited the photo.

2. Click the “Advanced Settings” option near the bottom of the screen.

3. Tap “Write Alt Text” under the Accessibility section on the next page.

4. Write the alt text and hit the checkmark or “Done” button at the top-right corner.

5. Tap the back arrow on the next page.

6. Add your Instagram captionhashtags, location, and other details before clicking the checkmark or “Share” button to upload your post.

A screenshot of the Write Alt Text option located in Advanced Settings on Instagram posts.

Adding Alt Text to An Existing Instagram Post

If you’ve uploaded Instagram photos without alt text, there’s no reason to break a sweat. You can easily add alt text by editing your Instagram post in a few clicks.

Here are the steps you should follow to add alt text to older posts on Instagram:

1. Find and open the Instagram post. Tap the three-dot button at the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Select the “Edit” option from the pop-up menu.

3. Tap the “Edit Alt Text” link near the bottom-left corner of the photo.

4. Type the description in the text box and click the checkmark or “Done” button.

5. Hit the checkmark on the next screen to save your alt text.

Yes. It’s that easy to include alt text for any existing or new Instagram post.

A screenshot of the Write Alt Text button in the bottom right corner of existing Instagram posts.

How to See Alt Text on Instagram

The best way to check alt text for an Instagram post is to use a screen reader app on your phone to browse Instagram.

Alternatively, you can use a special browser, such as MozBraille and ReadText, to access Instagram on your computer.

Writing Good Alt Text for Instagram: Tips & Tricks

If you’ve been copying the image caption in the alt text field of your Instagram posts, it’s high time to change that. Here are a few Instagram alt text best practices to help you get started:

Keep It Short

As a ground-rule, you should restrict the length of the alt text to 100 characters. Otherwise, screen readers won’t accurately interpret and read the description.

Provide Context

The key to effective alt text is to provide an accurate and specific description of the photo. Make sure you include key elements, such as color or texture, that can help the user better visualize the photo. Also, avoid using phrases, such as “picture of” or “image of”.

Include a Keyword

It’s a good idea to include one or more relevant keywords in the alt text. However, you should only follow this practice when it organically fits the description. Also, don’t try to force-fit too many keywords into a single alt text.

Add a Branded Touch

Include your brand name, location, or any other relevant information that’ll help the image reach your target audience via Instagram search.

Conclusion: How to Use Instagram Alt Text

The main aim of Instagram alt text is to make your posts accessible to users with visual impairments. However, you can utilize this feature to maximize visibility and diversify your audience. While adding alt text on Instagram isn’t rocket science, you should focus on crafting a descriptive, meaningful, and compelling description.

Do you have any other tips for writing Instagram alt text? Share your suggestions in the comments section below.

Psst… this Pin was made in seconds using Tailwind Create! Try it out for yourself!

Instagram alt text not only makes your content more accessible, it can also have major Instagram marketing benefits. Read how and why to use it here!

How to Switch Back to a Personal Account on Instagram

When the Instagram business account launched in 2014, many brands, influencers, and content creators quickly switched from their personal accounts.

The appeal of detailed insights and analytics was too strong to ignore! Not to mention, access to a plethora of useful business tools to promote your content.

But you may be contemplating whether to switch back to your personal Instagram account these days.

It’s understandable. Maybe you want to restrict your content to a tight-knit community of followers. Or you might be looking for ways to leverage Instagram’s algorithm and increase the organic reach of your posts.

In either case, chances are you’ve thought about making the switch to a personal account on Instagram at one point or another.

While switching from a professional account to a personal one on Instagram takes few simple steps, it’s a critical decision.

That’s why you should analyze the pros and cons before you decide to switch back to your personal account. We’ll delve deeper into these aspects below. We’ll also discuss how to switch back to a personal account on Instagram.

But let’s first take a quick look at the different types of accounts available on Instagram!

Types of Instagram Accounts

Instagram offers two main types of accounts to its users – personal, and professional!

A personal Instagram account lets you use all of the platform’s basic features. You can still upload posts, reels, IGTV videos, and stories. But you can’t monitor how your posts are performing or have access to in-depth analytics.

Professional Instagram accounts are further categorized into two types of professional accounts -business and Instagram creator accounts. These accounts give you access to a treasure trove of creator-friendly tools, including insights and promotions.

So, now that you know what kinds of Instagram accounts you have access to, let’s talk over how to switch between them!

How to Change Instagram from Business to Personal (Step by Step!)

First things first – switching your Instagram account from business to personal isn’t rocket science.

Switching to an Instagram business profile, or back to a personal account involves a few simple steps and takes less than five minutes! The difficult part comes when you’re thinking about whether you should make the switch in the first place. (More on that later!)

But if you’ve already made up your mind, here are the steps to switch back to your personal Instagram profile:

  1. Open the Instagram App
  2. Go to your Instagram Business Profile
  3. Tap the menu button in the upper right corner of your Instagram profile
  4. Tap Settings
  5. Select Account from the menu
  6. Scroll down to “Switch Account Type”
  7. Choose “Switch to Personal Account”
  8. Read the pop-up and confirm the switch
Switch Account Type on Instagram

Should You Switch to a Personal Account on Instagram?

If you’ve ever tried changing your Instagram account from business to personal, you’ve likely come across a warning message. If you haven’t, you’ll see it here!

It explains how you can’t use some of the app’s features on your personal account.

To some people, the loss of insights might not be a big deal. But to professional brands and businesses that use Instagram as a main social media marketing platform, it can be disastrous.

The final choice between a personal and business account depends on your needs and preferences.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of turning off your Instagram business account:

Pro: You Can Have a Private Account

This is likely the biggest advantage of having a personal Instagram profile. You can navigate to your “Privacy” settings and enable the “Private Account” option. It’ll ensure that your Instagram posts are only available to your followers.

Also, you can approve or dismiss follower requests to control whether new users can view your posts.

Pro: You May See a Positive Impact on Your Organic Reach

Some content creators and influencers have reported that the organic reach of their posts improved after changing their Instagram accounts to personal. This isn’t surprising considering that the Instagram algorithm could suppress the organic reach of business accounts to compel them to run ads.

But there’s no concrete data to support this argument. So, it isn’t wise to switch to a personal Instagram account with the sole intent of boosting your organic reach.

Con: You Lose Out on Detailed Insights and Analytics

The best part about having an Instagram business profile is that you get access to useful analytics on audience engagement. You can monitor the organic and paid reach of your posts, as well as gain a deeper understanding of your followers’ demographic.

Switching to a personal account means you can no longer use the “Insights” dashboard. Also, the analytics from your existing posts is erased. Even if you change back to a business account, you can never recover this data.

Con: Contact Options Become Limited

Unlike a business account, your personal Instagram profile doesn’t have a “Contact” button.

This means your followers can’t access your phone number, email address, Facebook page, or website.

Contact buttons on Instagram Business Account

Also, you lose other valuable buttons, such as “Insights” and “Promotions”.

Con: You Won’t Be Able to Auto Post from Tailwind

If you manage an Instagram business profile, you’re likely using a social media tool to plan and publish your posts. Tailwind’s Instagram scheduling tool lets you draft and schedule Instagram posts for weeks in advance with SmartSchedule – and automatically publishes content at the right time on your behalf!

But the auto-posting feature is only available for business accounts. While you can still schedule posts from your personal account, Tailwind won’t automatically upload them. Instead, you’ll have to rely on push notifications from the app to remind you to upload the post.

Conclusion: How to Go Back to a Personal Account on Instagram

Changing your Instagram account from business to personal is quite simple. You need to navigate to your account settings and select “Switch to Personal Account” from the available options. But if you’re a marketer or content creator, you shouldn’t be asking how to switch back to a personal account on Instagram.

Instead, you should evaluate the consequences of making the switch and whether it’s going to be the right decision. A personal account gives you more control over who gets to view your content. But you lose access to powerful audience insights and other tools.

Not sure about what type of Instagram account is the right choice for you? Pin this article and come back to it once you’ve made up your mind!

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Considering a switch back to a personal account on Instagram? Find the steps for how to switch back to a personal account below, and the pros and cons to help you make the decision!

The Complete List of Facebook Image Sizes in 2021

Facebook image sizes and dimensions examples on blue background

Are you planning to create an end-to-end social media marketing strategy in 2021? Then Facebook is likely one of the social media channels you’re targeting.

Despite many users raising concerns about Facebook’s data security and privacy policies recently, the platform continues to be overwhelmingly popular.

Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform with more than 2.7 million monthly active users across the globe.

This means it’s pretty important for digital marketers and entrepreneurs to prioritize Facebook marketing.

And if you’re posting content on Facebook, you’re likely using quite a few images to grab your audience’s attention!

Between the cover photo of your Facebook page to the thumbnail of your video ad – it’s fairly easy to lose track of various Facebook image sizes.

And trust us, there are a LOT of different image sizes.

Depending on your Facebook marketing campaign, you’ll likely upload various types of Facebook images.

You could dig through the internet for recommendations on each size, or you could grab a handy cheat sheet with all of the image sizes and dimensions on Facebook in 2021.

Let’s make this easier, shall we?

In this blog we’ve compiled a list of recommended Facebook dimensions, aspect ratios, and sizes for different types of images you’ll be using. Plus, we’ve included a handy chart for you to take with you and reference whenever you need!

However, image sizing on Facebook isn’t quite as straightforward as other platforms – say, Instagram image sizes and dimensions.

So first, let’s understand why Facebook image size is such a big deal after all.

The Importance of Facebook Image Sizes

How many times have you uploaded an awesome cover photo for your Facebook profile only to find that it’s been cropped in the mobile app?

Or noticed that your business page profile photo appears pixelated or grainy?

These issues happen frequently because Facebook automatically crops images from desktop to mobile devices.

In other words, the platform – and your images – are responsive to the device being used to look at them!

That’s why optimizing your images according to the recommended Facebook dimensions prevents them from being cropped poorly or pixelated.

This makes your personal profile or business page look impressive and professional.

Considering the huge amount of Facebook posts being published every day, your images will only stand out if they’re crisp and eye-catching!

That’s why we recommend you keep a cheat sheet of recommended image sizes and aspect ratios handy.

Plus, this isn’t a set it and forget it type of thing. We’ll update this post as new information becomes available, but keep in mind that the platform frequently redesigns its layout.

So make sure you check back every once in a while to stay on top of the latest image size and aspect ratio guidelines.

Facebook Image Sizes and Dimensions Infographic

Facebook Images Dimensions: Chart at a Glance

In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into different types of images you’ll upload on Facebook and highlight the recommended dimensions for each.

However, before getting started, here’s a quick glimpse of the recommended size and aspect ratio for different types of Facebook images:

Image TypeSizeAspect Ratio
Facebook Profile Picture400 x 400 px1:1
Facebook Event Cover Photo1920 x 1005 px1.91:1
Facebook Group Cover Photo1920 x 1005 px1.91:1
Facebook Business Page Cover1200 x 674 px16:9
Facebook Profile Cover Photo1125 x 633 px2.7:1
Facebook Photo Post1200 x 630 px1.91:1
Facebook Video Post1280 x 720 px16:9
Facebook Linked Image1200 x 630 px1.91:1
Facebook Stories1080 x 1920 px9:16
Facebook “Our Story” Cover1200 x 445 px2.7:1
Facebook Ad (Carousel)1080 x 1080 px1:1
Facebook Ad (Single Image)1200 x 628 px1.91:1
Facebook Catalog Image1080 x 10801:1

It’s now time for us to find out more about the recommended size and dimensions of various types of images you’re going to upload on Facebook.

Facebook Profile Picture Size and Dimensions

In this section, we’ll look into the recommended Facebook profile photo size for both your personal profile and business page. We’ll also discuss the optimal Facebook profile picture dimensions for different devices.

At the outset, it’s worth mentioning that your profile picture displays at:

  • 170 x 170 pixels on desktops devices
  • 128 x 128 pixels on smartphones
  • 36 x 36 on most features phones and mobile browsers

This applies to both Facebook pages and profiles.

You can use both PNG and JPG files for your profile picture. However, if you’re uploading a logo, use a PNG file to avoid pixelation.

However, a 170 x 170 px image will pixelate when your audience clicks on the profile photo and enlarges it.

That’s why we advise that you use an image that’s at least 400 x 400 pixels.

It’ll ensure that your profile picture has the right resolution across all devices. The recommended aspect ratio is 1:1.

Facebook Profile Picture Sizes

Moreover, with Facebook’s latest redesign profile pictures are cropped into a circular shape in the thumbnail. Make sure you use an image that’s centrally aligned or has symmetric composition.

If you’re using a logo as the profile picture, make sure you resize it on a plain background to make room for the circular crop.

Facebook Cover Photo Sizes and Dimensions

facebook cover photo dimensions

If you’ve used Facebook recently, you’ve likely already noticed how significantly the redesign has impacted the layout of pages, events, and groups.

By far, the biggest changes have been made to different types of cover photos. This is where our guide on Facebook cover photo dimensions will come in handy.

Typically, if you’re posting content on Facebook, you’ll have to upload cover photos for:

  • Events
  • Groups
  • Business pages
  • Personal profiles

The recommended Facebook cover image size and aspect ratio will vary depending on the type of cover photo you’re uploading. Let’s take a closer look at the different Facebook cover dimensions.

1. Facebook Event Cover Photo Size

Image via Facebook

Facebook recommends images measuring 1200 x 628 pixels for event cover photos. This translates to an aspect ratio of 1.91:1. However, depending on the device, the cover image might be stretched.

That’s why we advise that you use a Facebook event photo size that’s larger than the recommended dimensions. Ideally, your Facebook event banner size should be 1920 x 1005 pixels.

2. Facebook Group Cover Photo Size

Facebook responsive cropping

Just like the event cover photo, the recommended Facebook group cover photo size is 1640 x 856 pixels (aspect ratio – 1.91:1).

However, if you’ve ever accessed a Facebook group from your smartphone, you’ll notice that the bottom part of the cover photo gets cropped.

So, the ideal practice would be to use an image that measures 1920 x 1005 pixels. Also, use a centrally aligned image to ensure that it’s properly visible on both desktop and mobile devices.

This is even more important considering that the group cover photo is also used as its preview thumbnail in Facebook search results.

Image via Facebook

3. Facebook Business Page Cover Photo Size

Image via Facebook

Designing the perfect business page cover photo can be challenging. This is because the image is displayed with different dimensions on different devices.

For instance, on desktops, the cover photo retains its width while it’s cropped from the top and bottom. On the other hand, on smartphones, the image is cropped from the sides while retaining its height.

While Facebook recommends an image size of 820 x 360 pixels, it’s better to use a slightly larger image to accommodate cropping.

Therefore, the optimal Facebook business page cover photo size is 1200 x 674 pixels with an aspect ratio of 16:9.

4. Facebook Profile Cover Photo Size

Unlike other cover images, the Facebook profile cover photo size hasn’t been altered due to the latest platform redesign.

However, the profile picture thumbnail has been shifted from the left to the center. This makes it essential to use a picture that has enough empty space in the center to accommodate the thumbnail.

Facebook’s recommended cover photo dimensions are 851 x 315 pixels with a minimum width of 720 pixels.

However, these dimensions would be too small for devices with a retina display.

That’s why we suggest that you use an image that’s at least 1125 x 633 pixels (aspect ratio – 2.7:1).

The location of Facebook profile photos against cover photos on different devices.

Facebook Photo Post Sizes

When it comes to Facebook posts, you have the liberty to play around with different image sizes and dimensions.

Irrespective of the image size you use, Facebook will resize it to have a width of 500 pixels.

However, to avoid pixelation, cropping, and slow load times, we recommend that you restrict the Facebook post dimensions to 1200 x 630 pixels.

The aspect ratio should be 1.91:1. The recommended minimum image size is 600 x 315 pixels.

You can also experiment with different image orientations/dimensions, such as:

  • Square
  • Portrait
  • Landscape

For square photos, you can use the same image size you’re using for your Instagram posts (1080 x 1080 pixels).

Facebook Post Photo Sizes

Facebook Video Post Sizes

As with photo posts, you can upload videos of different dimensions and orientations on Facebook. Here are a few useful tips to guide you:

  • The recommended Facebook video dimensions are 1280 x 720 pixels (for landscape) and 720 x 1280 pixels (for portrait).
  • The recommended aspect ratio is 16:9 and 9:16 for landscape and portrait videos respectively.
  • Use MP4 or MOV files to upload videos on Facebook.
  • The recommended frame rate is 30 fps.
  • Make sure the duration is less than 120 minutes.
  • The file size should be within 8 GB.

Facebook Link Image Sizes

If you’re sharing links in a Facebook post, the recommended image size is 1200 x 630 pixels.

These dimensions are the same as those of event cover photos.

Also, they’re the same for other social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

Make sure you identify opportunities to repurpose the same image across multiple channels whenever possible! This will save you some time while keeping cohesive branding.

Facebook Stories Image Size

Typically, Facebook stories completely fill the entire screen of a user’s device.

That’s why it is recommended that you use an image that measures 1080 x 1920 pixels (or 9:16 aspect ratio).

Also, make sure you don’t add any text to the top and bottom of the image where it may be hard to read on a viewers screen!

Facebook “Our Story” Cover Image Size

The “Our Story” feature of Facebook business pages is like an extension of the “About Us” section.

Apart from a headline and long description, you can also add a cover image to the “Our Story” section.

The recommended image size is between 1200 x 445 pixels and 1200  x 672 pixels.

Facebook Story Size and Dimensions

Facebook Ads Sizes

The size and dimensions of images for Facebook ads vary according to the type of ad you’re running. It also depends on the objective and placement you select for your ad!

Here are a few recommended Facebook ad dimensions:

  • Carousel ads – 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)
  • Single-image ads – 1200 x 628 pixels (1.91:1)
  • Video ads – At least 1080 x 1080 pixels (4:5)
  • Collection ads – 1080 x 1080 pixels (1:1)

You can check the Facebook Ads Guide for more information on the right Facebook ad size.

Facebook Ad and Catalog Sizes

Facebook Catalog Sizes

The recommended image size for Facebook catalog images is 1024 x 1024 pixels.

The minimum image size should be 500 x 500 pixels.

Make sure the image file size is less than 8 MB.

Conclusion

Keeping track of the latest Facebook image size guidelines can be complicated and time-consuming.

Nevertheless, you must optimize your images for the right size to grab your audience’s attention. It can go a long way to make a striking first impression on potential customers and even boost your brand image!

Are you wondering how you’re supposed to remember all these different image sizes?

Well, you can always pin this article with the Pin image below, and feel free to refer to it whenever you want!

Pin Me For Reference :

Facebook is the largest social media platform out there. Here’s the complete guide to Facebook image sizes so that you can create stunning posts for it in 2021.

Everything You Need to Know About Branded Content Disclosures

Branded content partnerships on instagram - tag business partner button

You might be a creator who works with brands, or a social media marketer dabbling in influencer marketing. Or, maybe you’re just curious about how influencer marketing on Instagram works!

Any way you slice it, branded content disclosures are everything.

Knowing how you should be disclosing your brand partnerships (or how your collaborators should!) keeps your marketing transparent.

And… it’ll keep you out of hot water with the FTC!

Here’s a quick guide to branded content disclosures, including what they are, how they work, and how they should appear on different types of content.

What is a Disclosure Statement?

A disclosure statement is any text, audio or visual you include in your content to highlight your relationship with a brand or business partner.

In other words, it helps you note up-front whether you’ve been motivated by a brand to endorse their products/services.

Important note – this doesn’t have to be financial motivation!

Instagram has a built-in disclosure statement that appears right below the creators username- check it out!

Image via Instagram

Why Are Disclosure Statements Important?

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) makes it mandatory for social media content creators to disclose their relationship with a brand.

Why does the FTC care so much? Well, a clear disclosure statement helps maintain transparency and empowers your followers (especially where buying decisions are concerned.)

It’s important for safeguarding the consumers’ interests and preventing deceptive advertising!

It also helps followers understand whether you’re recommending a product just because you like it, or have been sponsored by a brand to endorse it. 

Following disclosure guidelines will keep you in the good books of the FTC and help you avoid any trouble.

After all, violating FTC guidelines can lead to lawsuits and fines. Not to mention, your public persona and reputation might take a hit. And we don’t want that!

So, now for the important stuff: when do you need to include a disclosure?

You Need a Disclosure Statement If…

According to FTC guidelines, your content must include a disclosure if you share a financial, personal, family, or employment relationship with a brand.

In other words, you need to disclose your relationship with a brand when:

  • A brand pays you to endorse their product/service.
  • A brand sends free products or gifts to you and you recommend one of these products in your posts.
  • A brand offers discounts or other perks to you in exchange for an endorsement.
  • You tag a brand with whom you’ve had a relationship in the past.
  • Your audience or target demographic includes consumers in the U.S. (even if you’re based out of another country). 

You Don’t Need a Disclosure Statement If…

It’s always wiser to err on the side of caution and include appropriate disclosures. However, you won’t need a disclosure statement if:

  • You enjoy using a product you’ve purchased and recommend it to your followers.
  • You use free product samples obtained from a local store and feature them in your posts.

How to Add a Disclosure to Your Post

First things first – make sure you carefully read Facebook’s branded content policies before posting sponsored content on Facebook and Instagram.

Then, familiarize yourself with the latest FTC guidelines on branded content! You’ll find the PDF below :

Disclosures 101 for Social Media Influencers (FTC)

FTC Guidelines Made Simple

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

  • Make it evident – Add the disclosure statement towards the beginning of your posts so that your followers don’t miss it. Avoid hiding it under the “more” section or amidst a bunch of hashtags.
  • Keep it simple – Use simple and easily understandable words to convey the message. Include words, such as “ad”, “sponsored”, “advertisement” to highlight the brand partnership.
  • Don’t confuse your audience – Avoid using vague abbreviations, such as “spon”, “collab”, etc., that could mislead your followers.
  • Use consistent language – Make sure the disclosure is in the same language as the rest of your post.
  • Leverage hashtags – Although the FTC hasn’t made it mandatory to include any hashtags, it’s recommended that you use #ad or #sponsored for more transparency.
  • Be authentic – Never lie in your endorsements. Even if a brand has sponsored your content, share your honest and unbiased experience of using their products/services. Also, don’t recommend products without trying them first-hand.

Adding a Disclosure to an Instagram or Facebook Post

Even if you’ve included a branded content tag, you should highlight the partnership in the caption of your post as well. 

Remember, do it towards the beginning of your caption to remain FTC-compliant!

Adding a Disclosure to a Picture or Image

When uploading pictures or images in Instagram/Facebook stories, superimpose words, such as “ad” or “sponsored”, or similar hashtags on the image.

Adding a Disclosure to a Video

When it comes to branded video content, you should include the disclosure statement audibly in the video clip and clearly in the description.

Adding a Disclosure to a Livestream

Since your followers can join a live stream at different points, you’ll want to repeat your disclosure regularly during your Livestream.

If you say it just once, new audiences tuning in may miss it and be unaware that your livestream or products in it are sponsored.

Types of Disclosure Statements on Social Media

Now that you know when to include a disclosure, you might be wondering how to go about doing it!. Here are a few useful ideas for social media posts:

On a regular post, include a hashtag, such as #ad or #sponsored, in the caption. Note that just a hashtag itself probably won’t pass muster with the FTC.

To be safe, mention that the item was a gift in the caption, and/or use the partnership tool in Instagram!

Image via Instagram

You can also thank the brand for sending you gifts or free products, or recognize up front in some way that the product or service was gifted, like Gina did!

        Image via Instagram

Gina also used an asterisk and “PR Product” in another caption to note which of the items in her outfit were gifted.

        Image via Instagram

While this tag is at the bottom of the caption, it’s on it’s own line and not hidden in hashtags or mentions. In other words, it’s pretty clearly visible to the reader!

As we mentioned before, you can also use branded content tools on Facebook and Instagram to highlight your relationship with a brand.

Image via Instagram

And if you’ve created a larger piece of content containing the item, you can add a disclaimer in your blog posts (mentioning that the content is sponsored) before sharing photos on social media.

    Image via OneGoogThing

Are Branded Content Tools on Social Media Enough?

Both Facebook and Instagram offer useful tools to let you include branded content tags in your posts and stories.

It typically adds the following header to your content: “Paid Partnership with…”

Image via Instagram

You can add branded content tags in your posts or Stories by selecting “Advanced Settings” (on Instagram) or “Tag Partner” (on Facebook).

Make sure you do this before uploading your content!

However, while it’s an effective way of maintaining transparency, these tools aren’t enough to comply with the FTC guidelines by themselves.

That’s why you must include a transparent, authentic, and easy-to-understand disclosure statement in your content.

Conclusion: What Happens If You Don’t Include a Disclosure?

Disclosure statements are essential for content creators as well as advertisers.

Failing to include disclosure statements can result in FTC warnings and even lawsuits!

Don’t believe us? In 2019, the FTC sent warnings to 21 influencers, including Linsay Lohan and Naomi Campbell, for violating the disclosure statement guidelines.

So, suffice to say, they take it pretty seriously.

But, for good reason! Adding clear disclosures help influencers maintain transparency regarding brand partnerships, which creates trust with their audiences.

And they help brands advertise the right way, and avoid legal trouble with the FTC.

Our recommendation? Don’t chance it; the possible risks outweigh the rewards of not disclosing your partnership agreements. Stay transparent!

Pin Me For Reference :

Branded content disclosures are a must if you’re doing influencer marketing. Here’s everything you need to know about collaborating with influencers.

50+ Best Affiliate Marketing Programs to Join in 2020

50+ Best Affiliate Marketing Programs to Join in 2020 header image - laptop on yellow background

Looking for a sustainable way to make money online or monetize your blog? If a steady stream of passive income is on your wishlist, it might be time to explore affiliate marketing programs!

Becoming an affiliate marketer is one of the most dependable ways of earning income digitally.

You can even turn participation in affiliate programs into a business model! First, you’ll want to research and join the best online affiliate marketing programs for your niche!

Plus, seeing how successful programs are made can help inspire you to build an affiliate marketing program for your business yourself!

That’s why we’ve curated a list of the best affiliate programs for beginners – and professionals! We’ve selected the top programs based on various parameters including commission rates and support.

Here are the best affiliate programs that deserve your attention in marketing,:


Best Marketing Affiliate Programs

Let’s begin with the best software affiliate programs for new-age marketers. We’ve included some of the most popular sales and marketing automation tools and social media scheduling platforms. Take a look:

Tailwind App

Tailwind affiliate program signup page

If you’re familiar with social media marketing (or this blog!) you’ve probably heard of  Tailwind. We’re a powerful Smart Assistant for Instagram and Pinterest!

Besides being an Instagram scheduling tool, our platform also provides a ton of helpful analytics and features like:

  • A visual planning tool for Instagram that allows you to design a scroll-stopping feed in minutes
  • Hashtag Finder and Hashtag Lists for finding and saving the best possible hashtags for your content
  • Smart.bio a link in bio tool that helps you drive traffic with ease! Create a custom landing page where multiple links live from the link your Instagram profile!

These features are just some of the reasons why our affiliates love us! Not to mention the [sc name=’free-trial-of-tailwind-for-instagram’] for new users.

[sc name =’instagram-boilerplate’]

Our affiliates sign up, familiarize themselves with our tool and offer in-depth and truthful recommendations to their followers.

The commission rate, at 15% of the lifetime revenue from the referred user, is pretty generous!

Infusionsoft – Keap Advocate Program

Infusionsoft is an advanced CRM and marketing automation tool by Keap.

You can use it to generate and nurture your leads, segment them, and convert them into paying customers. It’s a handy platform for marketing digital products!

You also earn $250 for every referral that converts into a customer. 

Screenshot of Keap Advocate Program affiliate program dashboard

Constant Contact

If you’ve tried your hand at email marketing, you’ve likely come across Constant Contact.

It’s feature-rich software that lets you create powerful emails using pre-designed templates. It then schedules and automatically sends them to your mailing list!

You earn $5 when a referral signs up for a free trial. You’ll earn $105 for every referral that joins a paid plan.

Shopify Affiliate Program

Shopify is a popular and useful e-commerce platform that lets you build a successful online store.

On average, you get $58 when someone signs up for a paid plan using your referral link!

Shopify Affiliate Program Dashboard

BeRush Affiliate Program

This is an affiliate marketing program by SEMrush, an all-in-one digital marketing tool for SEO and content marketing.

You can earn up to 40% recurring commission for every new user who signs up using your affiliate link. This distinguishes it as a high paying affiliate program where you can generate a lot of revenue!

WP Engine Affiliate Program

WP Engine is a reliable and secure managed web hosting provider for WordPress websites.

If you’ve been using WP Engine for a while, you can boost your revenue by joining the affiliate program. Commissions can go up to $200 for WP Engine sales and 35% for StudioPress sales. 


Best Clothing, Apparel, and Accessories Affiliate Programs

Are you a fashion blogger or a lifestyle influencer looking to increase your revenue? Check out these top affiliate programs in your niche:

ShopStyle Collective

Anyone who is even remotely familiar with the world of fashion would swear by ShopStyle.

The online shopping platform offers a wide array of products, ranging from apparel and footwear to accessories and beauty products.

The affiliate program uses a cost per acquisition (CPA) model and rewards you with a commission for every sale you generate.

ShopStyle affiliate website

RewardStyle

RewardStyle is an affiliate network that connects fashion and lifestyle influencers with more than 5000 retailers and brands.

Include affiliate links from relevant beauty companies as well as clothing and accessory brands in your content with RewardStyle for commission!

RewardStyle website

Zaful Partner Program

Zaful is a digital shopping platform that sells modern and trendy women’s apparel.

It offers a straightforward yet lucrative affiliate program that is suitable for beginners and experienced marketers alike.

Commission rates can go up to 30% for every sale generated from your referrals.

ZAFUL affiliate marketing network platform

Warby Parker Affiliate Program

Warby Parker is a renowned brand of affordable eyewear.

Products include prescription glasses, fashionable sunglasses, and contact lenses. Commission rates can go up to 20%.

You can also refer other affiliates and earn $10 for every referral that gets approved.

Warby Parker website

Nordstrom Affiliate Program

Nordstrom, the U.S.-based department store chain, has a digital shopping platform for apparel, footwear, accessories, bags, etc.

Commission rates are variable and payouts are done on a monthly basis.

Nordstrom Affiliate Program

The Watchery Affiliate Program

The Watchery, a digital platform that sells luxury watches, offers up to 10% commission for every conversion.

You can join the program through affiliate networks such as FlexOffers


Best Travel Affiliate Programs

If you’re a travel blogger or are planning to launch one, join one of these travel affiliate programs:

Booking.com Affiliate Program

Booking.com is everyone’s go-to travel niche website for travel needs. It covers everything related to hotels, homestays, and other types of travel across the globe.

You can promote relevant affiliate links in your blog posts and earn a commission for every referral that completes a booking.

booking.com affiliate partner program home page

TripAdvisor Affiliate Program

TripAdvisor, the all-in-one website for travelers, offers a straightforward affiliate program for travel blogs.

Join the program, use affiliate links to drive hotel bookings, and earn at least 50% commission for every confirmed booking.

Tripadvisor Affiliate Program page

Airbnb Associates

Influencers, bloggers, and affiliates are also encouraged to join the Airbnb Associates program! You can share your content with a custom referral link. Or you can embed a widget on your blog or even build a custom landing page!

You’ll be paid 30% of the Airbnb service fee when someone books from your links.

Sandals Affiliate Marketing Program

Sandals is a chain of luxury 5-star resorts in the Caribbean. The affiliate program, in partnership with Commission Junction, offers commissions starting at 4%.

Sandals affiliate marketing program

TourRadar Affiliate Program

TourRadar is a hub site for finding tours and travel events all across the globe!

This affiliate program offers a minimum of 5% commission and a 90-day cookie lifetime.

TourRadar Affiliate Marketing Program application page

Agoda Affiliate Program

Agoda is an online platform for booking hotels and flight tickets. You can promote its affiliate links in your content and earn competitive commission on bookings made through your content!

Agoda Partners platform

Best Health, Wellness, and Beauty Affiliate Programs

Next, we’re listing some popular health, wellness, and makeup affiliate programs:

Fitbit Affiliate Program

Are you a content creator in the health and fitness niche?

Promoting Fitbit products through your content earns you commissions for every qualifying sale.

Fitbit affiliate program

GNC Affiliate Program

GNC, the nutritional supplement brand, has developed an affiliate program with Commission Junction. You can earn at least 5% commission for every referral that makes a purchase.

GNC partner program website

Lululemon Affiliate Program

This program lets you earn commissions and perks by promoting Lululemon’s products, services, and events. It’s ideal for fitness bloggers and social media influencers.

Affiliate Marketing with LuluLemon

Tough Mudder Affiliate Program

The popular endurance event series curator offers an award-winning affiliate program with commission rates as high as 10%.

Athleta Apparel

Athleta is an online shopping platform for women’s activewear. Its affiliate program is available on networks like VigLink and FlexOffers.

Athleta is ideal for content creators in the fitness and wellness niche who wear activewear frequently!

Yoga International

Yoga International affiliate program is available on most of the popular affiliate networks. It offers competitive commission rates and a 30-day cookie duration.

Yoga International affiliate program

Under Armour Affiliate Program

Under Armour, the sports apparel brand, lets you earn commissions by referring their products on your blog/website. However, you must apply for the program and get accepted before you start earning.

Receive commission on the sales you drive with Under Armour

Best Home Decor & Organization Affiliate Programs

Are you a content creator looking for companies with affiliate programs in the home decor niche? Check out the list below:

Joss & Main Affiliate Program

If you’re a lifestyle blogger or influencer, you can earn money from promoting Joss & Main’s products (from Wayfair)!

Wayfair Affiliate Marketing Program

World Market Affiliate Program

World Market offers affordable and stylish furniture, furnishings, and home decor.

You can promote these on your blog or social media profiles. Commission rates can go up to 6%.

how to join world market affiliate program

The Container Store Affiliate Program

If you think your audience has a penchant for storage and organization products, join this program. Choose from more than 4000 products and earn competitive commissions.

Affiliate Partnering through The Container Store

Target Affiliates

This program offers up to 5% commission on a wide range of home decor and furnishing products. 

Target Affiliates rules and guidelines

Sierra Living Concepts

Choose this affiliate program if your audience is interested in rustic and vintage home decor. At 8%, the commission rate is also higher than many similar brands.

Sierra Living Concepts affiliate program landing page

Essentia Affiliate Program

Essentia, the natural memory foam brand, offers a simple and hassle-free affiliate program. It’s ideal for content creators and influencers in the sustainable home decor niche.

One Kings Lane Affiliate Program

This program offers commission rates up to 5% with a 14-day cookie lifetime and an average order value of $200. 

Affiliate marketing with One Kings Lane

Best Education Affiliate Programs

It’s now time for us to check out the top online affiliate programs in education:

Udacity Affiliate Program

You can promote Udacity’s wide range of Nanodegree courses and earn $50 for every referral that enrolls for a course.

Udacity affiliate program

Discount School Supply

Does your audience include parents with school-going children? Discount School Supply offers an affiliate program in partnership with Commission Junction and PepperJam.

Rosetta Stone

Generate revenue from your blog/website by promoting Rosetta Stone, the leading language software, to your audience.

Thinkific

Thinkific’s affiliate program is recommended for online course creators and educators.

The Scholastic Store Online

If your audience includes teachers or parents of school children, this affiliate program is a natural fit. You can promote Scholastic’s wide range of products and earn up to 6% commission.

Scholastic affiliate application information

Kaplan

As a Kaplan Affiliate Partner, you get access to top-match promotional content and tailor-made English courses. The affiliate program is also known for its prompt and responsive customer support.

BigMarker Affiliate Program

BigMarker is a powerful online tool that lets you organize webinars and virtual conferences.

BigMarker Referral Program

Best Arts & Crafts Affiliate Programs

If you run a fashion blog or DIY YouTube channel, craft supplies will likely be valuable to your audience. Let’s check out the top affiliate marketing websites in this niche:

Bluprint Influencer Program

Bluprint is the ideal platform to fuel your creativity and learn new skills. You can generate revenue by promoting Bluprint’s products among your audience. 

Bluprint influencer program

CreativeLive

Does your audience include photographers, graphic designers, and other creative individuals? Promote CreativeLive online classes to your audience and earn up to 30% commission.

Cricut Affiliate Program

Cricut, the smart cutting machine brand, 8 to 12% commission and 45-day cookie duration.

Blick Art Materials

Promote Blick’s diverse array of art supplies to your crafty audience.

You can earn up to 10% commission for every referral that places an order!

Blick art supplies influencer and partnership program

Copious Crafts

If your audience is interested in design tutorials and DIY videos, join this affiliate program. While new sign-ups will fetch you a 20% commission, active subscriptions let you earn a recurring 10%.

Fabric.com

If your content is all about fashion, sewing, or DIY decor, Fabric.com’s affiliate program is your right match.


Best Children & Parenthood Affiliate Programs

Here’s a list of the top affiliate programs for content creators centering on children, parenting and maternity!

Bloom Baby Nursery & Baby Products

This affiliate program is recommended for content creators with audiences of new and soon-to-be parents.

Interior designers can also find value in this affiliate program, too!

UrbanSitter

UrbanSitter is an online platform that lets users find trusted babysitters and nannies. You can promote it to your audience and earn up to $30 for every referral that subscribes to the service. 

Organic Baby Food

Promote the brand’s organic baby formula to your audience and earn up to 10% commission for every qualifying sale.

Positive Parenting Solutions

This affiliate program gives you access to a treasure trove of banner ads for promoting its parenting training course.

They’re easy to add to your blog or website where your visitors are sure to see them.

Hatch Collection

Hatch Collection is a leading brand for fashionable maternity apparel. Its affiliate program is available on VigLink and Skimlinks.

Happiest Baby’s SNOO Smart Sleeper

SNOO Smart Sleeper is a high-tech and safe baby bed that ensures sound sleep for newborns. If your target audience includes expectant or new parents, promote SNOO on your website and social media profiles.

OurFamilyWizard

Earn up to 25% commission by promoting this trusted child custody and co-parenting app.

It’s particularly recommended if your audience includes single parents.

Lully Sleep Guardian

It’s a unique scientific software that helps reduce night terror among children. You can earn up to 20% commission by promoting it.


Best Blogging and Lifestyle Affiliate Programs

Here’s a list of the top affiliate programs for bloggers irrespective of their niche and audience:

Amazon Associates

It’s one of the oldest and most popular affiliate programs. The biggest advantage is that you get access to millions of products. You’re always going to find something to grab your audience’s attention.

Commission rates go up to 12% for every qualifying sale.

ShareASale

It’s a simple and user-friendly affiliate network that lets you choose from nearly 4000 trusted affiliate programs.

FabFitFun

This affiliate program is highly recommended for fashion and beauty bloggers, influencers, and YouTubers.

Apart from commissions, you also get various incentives such as free subscription boxes and early access to new products.

Rakuten

It’s an award-winning affiliate network that connects you with more than 1000 trusted merchants from over 200 countries.


What are the Highest Paying Affiliate Marketing Programs?

Amazon Associates, WP Engine, BeRush, and Udacity are some of the top- paying affiliate programs. They land on the highest paying affiliate program list for 2020!

Commission rates and revenue vary from one niche to another, so don’t be discouraged.

For instance, home decor brands and retailers are often high paying affiliate problems because of their large sales volumes.

Travel platforms and apps also generally offer high paying affiliate marketing programs because they have a higher average order value! It’s the same reason that tech and digital services like WP Engine and BeRush also offer high ticket affiliate programs.

Conclusion: What is the Best Affiliate Marketing Program?

The best affiliate marketing program doesn’t necessarily have to do with the percentage of commission. The reason being is that you’ll earn more steady commission and sales from products that fit within your audience’ interests, needs and budget!

To make a successful affiliate marketing program work, it pays off to focus on smaller to medium commission earned more steadily than trying to get one or two people to buy a high ticket product.

So, as you’re perusing your options for affliiate programs, make sure you’re selecting programs for products that are relevant and tie in easily to the content you create.

Promote products and services you identify with and are passionate about – and that your audience can trust your voice on!

Have you applied to one of these affiliate programs before? Let us know about your experience in the comments!