Affiliate marketing has become a fundamental income stream for content creators, influencers, and online entrepreneurs. With over 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers a massive platform to promote products and earn commissions through affiliate marketing. However, many affiliate marketers, especially beginners, often face a common and critical question:
“What types of affiliate links does Facebook accept for monetization?”
Understanding the policies around affiliate links is vital because Facebook enforces strict content and advertising guidelines. Posting the wrong types of affiliate links could result in content being demoted in reach, removed, or your account being restricted.
This comprehensive article explores the types of affiliate links Facebook allows, prohibited practices, and best practices to ensure your affiliate marketing on Facebook aligns with the platform's policies while maximizing your monetization efforts.
1. What Is an Affiliate Link?
Before diving into Facebook’s policies, let’s clarify the basics.
An affiliate link is a special URL that contains a unique affiliate ID or tracking code. When someone clicks that link and makes a purchase (or completes a specific action), the affiliate (you) earns a commission from the merchant or network.
Affiliate links are widely used on:
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Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
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Websites and blogs
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YouTube descriptions
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Emails and newsletters
2. Does Facebook Allow Affiliate Links?
Yes, Facebook allows affiliate links, but with conditions.
Facebook permits organic posts (non-paid) that include affiliate links, as long as:
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The affiliate link complies with Facebook’s Community Standards and Advertising Policies
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It does not lead to harmful, deceptive, or misleading content
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You disclose the promotional nature of the link when applicable (especially if you’re legally obligated)
However, when it comes to paid ads, the restrictions are much tighter.
3. Acceptable Types of Affiliate Links on Facebook
Here are the main types of affiliate links that Facebook generally accepts:
1. Links from Established and Reputable Affiliate Networks
Facebook typically allows affiliate links from trusted and regulated networks, such as:
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Amazon Associates
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ShareASale
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CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
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Rakuten Advertising
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Impact
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PartnerStack
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ClickBank (selectively – avoid overly aggressive offers)
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Awin
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FlexOffers
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eBay Partner Network
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AliExpress Affiliate Program
These networks usually offer clean, secure redirect links, and many of their merchants are recognized by Facebook’s system as trustworthy.
2. Shortened Affiliate Links (With Caution)
Link shorteners like Bitly, TinyURL, or Rebrandly are allowed, but only if the underlying link leads to safe, compliant destinations.
Warning: Facebook may block shortened links if:
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They obscure the destination URL
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They have previously been flagged as spam
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They redirect to misleading content
✅ Best Practice: If you must shorten links, use a branded short domain or a custom redirect from your website.
3. Redirects from Personal Website or Blog
This method is highly recommended.
Instead of directly posting affiliate links, many marketers:
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Create a bridge page or review article on their own blog
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Share a link to that blog post on Facebook
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Let the blog page contain the affiliate links
This gives you more control and protects your Facebook reputation, as the destination link is a legitimate domain you own.
4. Product Reviews or Recommendations in Posts
Facebook supports authentic, value-driven posts where you:
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Review a product you’ve used
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Explain its pros and cons
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Include an affiliate link (clearly disclosed)
These posts are less likely to be flagged as spam and can even go viral organically if they provide genuine value.
5. Links Used in Facebook Groups and Pages
Facebook allows affiliate links in groups and pages, depending on the:
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Rules of the group (if it's a community or marketplace)
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Type of content (value-based vs. spammy)
Admins can post affiliate links or allow members to do so with proper moderation.
However, commercial intent should be disclosed, especially if you’re recommending something as an admin or business.
6. Facebook Shops & Affiliate Integration
Although Facebook Shops is primarily for direct sellers, you can use it creatively for affiliate purposes by:
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Listing affiliate products as part of your catalog
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Linking out to external product pages (if allowed)
Some e-commerce integrations (e.g., Shopify with affiliate tracking) can be used indirectly to monetize traffic from Facebook.
4. Prohibited or Restricted Affiliate Links on Facebook
Not all affiliate links are welcome on Facebook. Here are the types Facebook either disallows or restricts heavily:
❌ Links to Scammy or Misleading Offers
Examples include:
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“Get rich quick” schemes
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Binary options or aggressive trading offers
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Fake giveaways or contests
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Unlicensed crypto or forex platforms
Facebook’s AI is very sensitive to deceptive financial or health-related content. Even if your link technically comes from a legal affiliate network, it may still be blocked if the destination violates community standards.
❌ Affiliate Links Promoting Unsafe or Illegal Content
These include:
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Adult content
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Weapons and firearms
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Counterfeit products
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Pirated digital goods
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Tobacco and vapes
Any affiliate program promoting these will likely get you shadow-banned or restricted.
❌ Spammy Link Practices
Facebook actively penalizes:
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Posting the same affiliate link across dozens of groups
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Comment spamming with affiliate links
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Posting links without any context (e.g., a naked affiliate link)
You may get hit with a link block, reach restriction, or even account suspension.
❌ MLM or Pyramid-Style Affiliate Programs
Multi-level marketing programs or referral chains that resemble pyramid schemes are often blacklisted by Facebook. Even if they offer affiliate links, it’s risky to promote them on Facebook.
5. How to Avoid Getting Your Affiliate Links Blocked or Flagged
To stay compliant and successful with affiliate links on Facebook:
✅ Use Clear Disclosures
According to FTC guidelines, you should disclose affiliate relationships in posts. Example:
“This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.”
Facebook does not enforce FTC compliance directly but appreciates transparency, especially for influencer content.
✅ Add Context to Your Links
Don’t just post a link — explain why it’s valuable. Tell a story, share a testimonial, compare products. This improves user engagement and reduces suspicion.
✅ Use a Website or Blog as a Buffer
This is the safest route.
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Create a landing page or blog post
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Link to it from Facebook
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Keep all affiliate activity on your own site
This shields you from Facebook’s unpredictable link reviews.
✅ Monitor Link Performance in Facebook Business Tools
If using Facebook Ads with affiliate links (or indirect monetization strategies), track:
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Click-through rates
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Bounce rates
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Relevance scores
Avoid linking to sites that result in poor user experience or excessive exits.
✅ Test Links Before Posting
Use Facebook’s Sharing Debugger to:
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Preview how your link will appear
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Detect any issues with metadata or domain blocks
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Refresh the cache if you've updated content
6. Can You Use Affiliate Links in Facebook Ads?
This is a gray area.
✅ Facebook Ads Allow Affiliate Links If:
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The product being promoted complies with Facebook’s Advertising Policies
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You are not cloaking, masking, or misleading users
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You have a proper landing page
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You’re offering value (like a free lead magnet or review) before sending users to an affiliate offer
Most marketers use funnels or bridge pages in their ads, rather than direct affiliate links.
❌ Facebook Ads Don’t Allow:
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Links to ClickBank products with hypey claims
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Ads that exaggerate earnings, health results, or unrealistic expectations
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Links with aggressive redirects, pop-ups, or misleading buttons
If you run affiliate ads, consider starting with whitelisted networks (like Amazon) or partnering with brands directly for ad-safe tracking links.
7. Facebook’s Tools That Help Affiliate Marketers
If you're serious about affiliate monetization, explore:
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Facebook Creator Studio – Analyze post performance, audience reach, and engagement
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Facebook Business Suite – Manage multiple pages, schedule posts, and run ads
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Meta Pixel – Track conversions if you're promoting affiliate offers on your website
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Meta Collab Manager – Required for brand partnerships and disclosing sponsored content
8. Examples of Compliant Affiliate Use on Facebook
Here are a few smart strategies:
Example 1: Product Review Post in a Facebook Group
"After trying 3 different blenders, I found this one on Amazon. It’s powerful and super affordable. Highly recommend for smoothie lovers! 👉 [Amazon affiliate link]"
✅ Personal experience
✅ Transparent link
✅ Adds value
Example 2: Facebook Page Sharing Blog Content
“New post: The Best Work-From-Home Tools for 2025 – Check out my top picks with exclusive discounts! [Link to blog with affiliate links]”
✅ Directs traffic to your site
✅ Keeps Facebook happy
✅ Builds authority
Example 3: Paid Ad with a Funnel
Ad → Landing Page with Free Ebook → Product Recommendation with Affiliate Link
✅ Complies with ad policies
✅ Warm leads
✅ Better conversions
9. Summary: What Facebook Accepts and Rejects in Affiliate Links
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Amazon, CJ, ShareASale, Awin | Scam offers, get-rich-quick |
| Links with proper context | Naked links in bulk |
| Branded shorteners | Masked or cloaked URLs |
| Blog post links | Illegal or deceptive content |
| Disclosed posts | Undisclosed promotions |
Conclusion: Mastering Facebook Affiliate Monetization
Facebook remains one of the top platforms for affiliate marketers. The key to success lies in:
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Following platform rules
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Using affiliate links responsibly
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Building trust with your audience
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Avoiding spammy behavior
Facebook rewards quality content and punishes spam. If you blend informative, engaging posts with smart affiliate promotion, you can build a sustainable income stream without risking account bans.
Whether you're just starting out or refining your strategy, understanding what types of affiliate links Facebook accepts is essential for long-term success. Make every post count — and monetize with integrity.
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