The Ethics Problem: When Does Affiliate Marketing Cross the Line? Often, it has been a scammers paradise but things are changing for the better
Post by Peter Hanley coachhanley.com
Let’s talk about the thing nobody wants to admit: A lot of affiliate marketing is ethically sketchy at best, and straight-up manipulative at worst.
I know, I know. That’s not what you want to hear. Especially if you’re trying to build an affiliate business. But if we’re being honest, we all know there’s a problem.
The Moment I Realized I’d Crossed a Line
I once promoted a course that I’d barely skimmed through. The commission was $500 per sale. I wrote a glowing review, included my affiliate link, and made three sales in the first week.
$1,500 in my pocket.
Then I got an email from someone who bought it: “Hey, I’m struggling with module 3. Did you find a workaround for the setup issues?”
I had no idea what they were talking about. I hadn’t actually gone through module 3. Hell, I’d barely made it through module 1.
I felt like garbage. And that’s when I realized: I’d become exactly the kind of affiliate marketer I used to hate.
The Gray Areas We Don’t Talk About
Here’s where affiliate marketing gets murky:
1. Promoting Products You Haven’t Actually Used
We’ve all seen those “Top 10 Best” listicles that are clearly just scraped from other listicles. The author hasn’t touched any of these products. They’re just aggregating Amazon links and hoping for commissions.
Is it illegal? No. Is it helpful? Also no.
But here’s the thing: everyone does it. So it feels normal. Until you’re the person who bought something based on a fake review and realized you got scammed.
2. The Disclosure Problem
Yeah, you put “#ad” or “affiliate link” somewhere in your post. But did you make it clear enough? Or did you bury it in the footer where nobody looks?
The FTC says disclosures need to be “clear and conspicuous.” But let’s be real: most affiliates make them as inconspicuous as legally possible.
Why? Because we all know that saying “I make money if you buy this” makes people less likely to buy.
3. Fake Urgency and Scarcity
“Only 3 spots left!” “Sale ends tonight!” “Limited time bonus!”
Except… the sale runs every month. The spots always refill. The bonus is always available.
This isn’t marketing. It’s lying.
The Really Uncomfortable Questions
Let me ask you some questions that might make you squirm:
Would you recommend this product to your best friend without the commission?
If the answer is no, you shouldn’t be promoting it. Period.
Are you being honest about the downsides?
Every product has cons. If your review is 100% positive, you’re either lying or you haven’t used it enough.
Are you creating content that helps people, or content that just makes you money?
There’s a difference between “Here’s how to solve your problem” and “Here’s why you should buy this thing.”
Have you compared this to the free alternatives?
Sometimes the best solution doesn’t cost money. If you’re hiding that fact to make a commission, that’s not helping your audience.
The “But Everyone Does It” Defense
The most common justification I hear: “Everyone in affiliate marketing does this. It’s just how the game is played.”
You know what? They’re right. Tons of people do this.
And tons of people are making money while destroying trust in online recommendations. They’re the reason people use ad blockers and skip past anything that looks like a review.
Congrats on being part of the problem, I guess?
Where I Draw My Line (And Where You Might Draw Yours)
I’m not going to pretend I’m some ethical saint. I run an affiliate business. I make money from recommendations. But I’ve set some rules for myself:
My Personal Rules:
- I don’t promote anything I haven’t personally used or thoroughly tested
- I always mention alternatives, including free ones
- I’m upfront about commissions in a way people actually notice
- If I change my mind about a product, I update or remove my content
- I turn down high-commission products I don’t actually believe in
That last one has cost me thousands of dollars. I’ve been offered $500+ commissions to promote courses and tools I knew were overhyped.
I said no. Because I’d rather sleep at night.
Your rules might be different. And that’s fine. But you need to have rules. Otherwise, you’re just chasing money without any moral compass.
The Real Cost of Unethical Marketing
Here’s what happens when you prioritize commissions over integrity:
Short term: You make some money. Maybe even decent money.
Long term: Your audience figures it out. They stop trusting you. They unsubscribe. They stop clicking your links.
And then you’re back to square one, except now you’ve got a reputation as a shill.
I’ve watched this happen to so many affiliates. They had growing audiences, made some quick cash on shady promotions, and then… nothing. Their engagement died because their audience felt betrayed.
The Comparison Game That Makes Everything Worse
You know what makes the ethics problem worse? Watching other affiliates make bank while you’re trying to do things right.
They’re promoting products they’ve never used. They’re using fake scarcity. They’re writing misleading headlines.
And they’re making more money than you.
It’s frustrating as hell. I get it.
But here’s the thing: you’re not seeing their churn rate. You’re not seeing how many people unsubscribe after they realize they’ve been manipulated. You’re not seeing the long-term damage to their reputation.
You’re only seeing the money. And money without context is meaningless.
What Ethical Affiliate Marketing Actually Looks Like
Let me paint you a picture of what this can look like when done right:
Scenario: You’re reviewing project management software.
Unethical approach:
- Only mention the positives
- Hide the fact that there’s a free version
- Create fake urgency: “This deal expires tonight!” (it doesn’t)
- Don’t mention that the learning curve is steep
- Bury your affiliate disclosure
Ethical approach:
- Mention both pros and cons honestly
- Explain who it’s good for and who should skip it
- Compare it to free alternatives and explain when the paid version is worth it
- Be upfront about the learning curve
- Clear disclosure at the top: “I use and love this tool. If you buy through my link, I earn a commission at no cost to you.”
Which approach builds more trust? Which creates long-term audience loyalty?
The Question That Changes Everything
Before you promote anything, ask yourself this:
“If my kid/parent/best friend asked me about this product, would I recommend it the same way I’m recommending it in this post?”
If the answer is no, you’re probably crossing a line.
My Challenge to You
For the next 30 days, try this:
- Only promote products you’ve actually used
- Include at least one con in every review
- Mention a free alternative if one exists
- Make your affiliate disclosure impossible to miss
- Ask yourself “Am I helping or selling?” before publishing
See what happens to your conversion rates.
You might be surprised. In my experience, honesty converts better than hype. People are starving for authentic recommendations.
Major news annowncement
anownced in October 25 Google is cracking down on many fake launches abd scam products you can read more on this
in my recent blog , Google cutting down on big ticket scams
The Bottom Line
Affiliate marketing doesn’t have to be sleazy. But it becomes sleazy the moment you prioritize commissions over integrity.
You can make money AND sleep at night. You can build a sustainable business AND have a clear conscience.
But you have to choose to. Every single day.
The question is: will you?
I bought and use Millionaires apprentice very day and hey I get paid if you click my link . However I am always here to help you along the way
