Ad Policy and Offer Compliance Checklist for Affiliates

Editorial team of Affiliate Index · Published October 30, 2026

Compliance is not a one-time task. An ad, landing page or offer that was acceptable at launch may become non-compliant after a policy update, a targeting change or an edit to the campaign. Before sending traffic, use this checklist to review the rules that apply to both the traffic source and the offer. Recheck them when campaigns change.

Read both sets of rules

• [ ] Review the traffic source’s advertising policy. Check its rules for ad formats, prohibited content, targeting, landing pages, redirects and account conduct. Do not assume that approval of an ad means every element of the campaign is permitted.
• [ ] Read the offer’s terms, especially its allowed-traffic section. Confirm which channels, placements, devices and promotional methods are permitted. Look for restrictions on incentives, email, social media, search traffic, display placements or other sources relevant to the campaign.
• [ ] Check for restricted categories. The source or offer may limit advertising for particular products, services or claims. If the wording is unclear, pause and seek clarification through the appropriate support channel before running traffic.
• [ ] Record any conditions that affect the campaign. Note rules about pre-approval, required ad language, prohibited keywords, permitted destinations or changes that need to be reported.

Rules differ by traffic source and country. A campaign that follows one platform’s policy may still breach another platform’s rules or local requirements. This checklist is general information, not legal advice; it does not replace the current terms, policy documents or professional advice where needed.

Confirm audience and disclosure requirements

• [ ] Check age restrictions. Make sure the offer and traffic source allow the intended audience, and use available age-targeting controls when required. Do not rely on a landing page notice to fix targeting that is not allowed.
• [ ] Check country and regional restrictions. Confirm where the offer may be promoted and whether the source permits targeting those locations. Consider whether local rules affect the ad, landing page or data collection.
• [ ] Identify required disclosures. Review whether the campaign must clearly disclose an affiliate relationship, material terms, eligibility limits, recurring charges or other conditions. Put disclosures where people can notice them before taking the relevant action; do not hide them in dense text or behind extra clicks.
• [ ] Keep disclosures consistent. The ad should not create an impression that conflicts with the landing page or offer terms. Explain important qualifications in plain language and avoid implying that everyone is eligible.

Review creative claims and trademark use

• [ ] Check every claim in the ad. Confirm that statements about features, outcomes, savings, availability or eligibility are accurate, supportable and permitted by the offer. Avoid guarantees, exaggerated certainty or wording that suggests a typical result without a proper basis.
• [ ] Match the creative to the destination. The landing page should deliver what the ad describes. Do not use misleading previews, unrelated content, disguised redirects or a false sense of urgency.
• [ ] Review images, testimonials and comparisons. Use only material you are allowed to use, and ensure it does not imply unsupported results or endorsements. Do not invent testimonials or present illustrative material as a real customer account.
• [ ] Check trademark rules. Review both the traffic source’s and offer’s terms before using names, logos, branded keywords or other protected material. Do not suggest an official connection or endorsement unless it is authorized.

Check landing-page privacy and consent

• [ ] Explain data collection clearly. Tell visitors what information is collected, why it is needed and how it may be used or shared. Keep the explanation accessible from the page where information is requested.
• [ ] Use appropriate consent controls. Where consent is required, make the choice clear and avoid treating silence or a preselected option as agreement. Check requirements for cookies, tracking technologies, email subscriptions and other data uses.
• [ ] Review forms and tracking. Collect only information needed for the stated purpose, secure it appropriately and verify that tags, pixels and forms behave as described. Do not send sensitive information through tracking links or analytics tools.
• [ ] Make the page usable and consistent. Ensure disclosures, privacy information and relevant offer conditions can be found without confusing navigation, and that the page does not contradict the ad or source policy.

Keep evidence and recheck changes

• [ ] Archive proof of the review. Keep dated copies or screenshots of applicable policies, offer terms, approved creatives, landing pages, disclosures, targeting settings and any written permissions or clarifications.
• [ ] Maintain a change record. Note when campaign elements are revised and what was checked. Retain enough detail to explain which version ran and under which terms.
• [ ] Recheck before relaunching. Review policies and offer conditions after a campaign pause, account change, destination update or policy notice. If a requirement is uncertain, hold traffic until it is resolved.

A clear review process helps identify avoidable compliance problems before they affect a campaign or account. Keep the checklist alongside the current source and offer rules, and treat those rules—not a general checklist—as the final reference.