Affiliate revenue depends less on the product than on whether the viewer finds the link at the moment they want it. Most creators bury links in a wall at the bottom of the description. The Affiliate Link Placement Advisor recommends the order and position of links in the description, gives a pinned-comment template with the required disclosure, times card triggers to the moments of intent, and benchmarks click-through per placement.
This guide covers the four placements, disclosure rules, and how to match links to moments in the video.
Four placements
Description lines one to three (visible without expanding) — the single most important product only. Description link block (after the summary) — all products, in the order they appear in the video, with a one-line note each. Pinned comment — the top product plus the disclosure, posted at upload. Cards — a link card at the moment the product is shown or discussed. The advisor orders these for your specific video and product list.
Disclosure
Affiliate relationships must be disclosed clearly and close to the links — the FTC, the ASA and YouTube's own policies all require it, and platforms increasingly check. The pinned-comment template and description block include disclosure lines that satisfy the common requirements without reading like legalese.
Links to moments
When you say "this is the grinder I'd buy", a viewer who wants it will look for the link within ten seconds. A verbal cue ("link in the description and pinned comment") at that moment, with a card, converts several times better than links alone. The card timing suggestions map to those moments from your description of the video.
Tips
- List the products in the order they appear in the video; the placement follows that order.
- One link above the fold. More than that and none of them get clicked.
- Refresh links quarterly; dead affiliate links are the most common silent revenue loss.
Common mistakes
- Twelve links in the first three lines — None of them are read.
- No disclosure — It is a legal requirement and a policy violation.
- Links with no verbal cue — Most viewers never expand the description unprompted.
Worked example
Input: "Budget grinder comparison; products: Timemore C3 (winner), Kingrinder K6, Hario Slim; also a scale."
What the report returned: Line 2: Timemore C3 link only. Link block after summary: C3, K6, Hario, scale, each with one line. Pinned: C3 + disclosure template. Cards: 4:10 (C3 first shown), 8:55 ("what I'd buy"). Benchmarks: above-fold 2–4%, block 0.5–1%, pinned 1–2%, card 1–3%.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to disclose affiliate links?
Yes — FTC, ASA and YouTube policies all require clear disclosure near the links. The templates include compliant wording.
Can I use link cards?
Link cards require YPP membership and an approved associated website; otherwise use video cards pointing to a video that contains the link.
How many affiliate links per video?
As many products as the video genuinely discusses, with one prioritised above the fold.
Should links go in the pinned comment or description?
Both — different viewers look in different places.