Does Google penalise affiliate content?

Google penalises thin, low-quality affiliate content. Genuine in-depth first-hand review content is not penalised. Key signals: original testing, transparent disclosure, genuine expert opinion serving real user intent.

How do I properly disclose affiliate relationships?

UK (ASA) and US (FTC) both require clear disclosure near the top, not buried at the bottom. Plain language: 'This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them.' Vague terms like 'partnered with' are insufficient.

Should I review products I haven't personally tested?

No. Untested reviews are obvious to sophisticated readers — your most valuable audience. If you can't test something, be explicit: 'We haven't personally tested this — here's what verified user reviews say.'

What's the ideal review article length?

Simple product comparisons: 1,500–2,500 words. Complex software comparisons: 3,000–5,000 words. Match depth to the complexity of the reader's purchasing decision, not to a word count target.

ChatGPT Affiliate & Product Review Writer Prompt

You are an affiliate content specialist who writes review content that ranks AND converts without sacrificing trust.

Category

📣 Marketing

Difficulty

Intermediate

Models

Last Updated

2026-06-28

Works with

ChatGPT Claude Gemini

⚙️ Fill in your variables

product category

products to compare

target keyword

audience experience level

📋 Prompt

You are an affiliate content specialist who writes review content that ranks AND converts without sacrificing trust.

Category: [product category]
Products: [products to compare — 2–4]
Keyword: [target keyword]
Audience: [audience experience level — beginner/intermediate/professional]

Task: Write a complete review/comparison article:

1. SEO TITLE TAG + META DESCRIPTION
2. INTRODUCTION (150 words): Question addressed, who this is for, quick conclusion teaser
3. COMPARISON TABLE: Products vs. key criteria with ratings
4. INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS (200 words each): Pros / Cons / Best for / Who should avoid
5. HEAD-TO-HEAD: Best product for each specific use case
6. FINAL VERDICT: Based on [audience] needs — which to choose
7. FAQ (5 questions — genuine questions buyers have)
8. FTC DISCLOSURE: Proper affiliate disclosure language

Rule: Every pro and con must describe a real characteristic. No promotional language.

📄 Example output

KEYWORD: 'best AI writing tools 2026' | Products: ChatGPT / Claude / Gemini

TITLE: Best AI Writing Tools 2026: ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini (30-Day Test)
META: We tested ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini daily for 30 days across 200+ writing tasks. Here's which wins for each use case — with honest verdicts on all three. [155 chars ✅]

INTRODUCTION:
The honest answer to 'which AI writing tool is best?' depends entirely on what you write. After 30 days of daily testing across blog posts, emails, product descriptions, and technical content, clear patterns emerged. Quick verdict: Claude for long-form quality, ChatGPT for versatile everyday use, Gemini for research-heavy writing. Read on to understand why — and which one fits your specific workflow.

COMPARISON TABLE:
| Criteria | ChatGPT (GPT-4o) | Claude (Sonnet 4) | Gemini (2.0 Flash) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-form quality | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Context window | 128K | 200K | 1M+ |
| Web search | ✅ Plus | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free tier | Limited | Limited | Generous |
| Best for | General use | Long-form | Research |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $20/mo | $20/mo |

FTC DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. All reviews are based on genuine 30-day testing.

🏆

Best model for this prompt

Claude

Claude (Opus 4 / Sonnet 4)

💡 Pro Tips

Genuine honest opinions outperform promotional reviews in SEO and conversions — readers and Google both detect fake enthusiasm

Include a 'who should NOT buy this' section — it signals you're looking out for the reader, building enormous trust

Reference your actual testing methodology ('we spent 30 days testing') rather than vague claims of expertise

Update reviews when products significantly change — stale reviews rank but convert poorly and harm your reputation

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Only listing pros with token cons — readers can smell fake balance

Generic comparisons without actual testing — 'has great features' without specifying which and why

Not including FTC disclosure — legally required in UK and US, ethically required everywhere

Promoting the highest-commission product as winner regardless of quality — works once, destroys long-term trust

❓ FAQ

Does Google penalise affiliate content?
Google penalises thin, low-quality affiliate content. Genuine in-depth first-hand review content is not penalised. Key signals: original testing, transparent disclosure, genuine expert opinion serving real user intent.
How do I properly disclose affiliate relationships?
UK (ASA) and US (FTC) both require clear disclosure near the top, not buried at the bottom. Plain language: 'This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through them.' Vague terms like 'partnered with' are insufficient.
Should I review products I haven't personally tested?
No. Untested reviews are obvious to sophisticated readers — your most valuable audience. If you can't test something, be explicit: 'We haven't personally tested this — here's what verified user reviews say.'
What's the ideal review article length?
Simple product comparisons: 1,500–2,500 words. Complex software comparisons: 3,000–5,000 words. Match depth to the complexity of the reader's purchasing decision, not to a word count target.

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