What is Sponsored post?
A sponsored post is a piece of content a creator publishes in exchange for payment from a brand, which must be disclosed as advertising under FTC and platform guidelines.
Sponsored posts can take many formats: a static Instagram photo, a TikTok video, a YouTube integration, or a newsletter mention. The brand pays the creator to feature their product or service, and the creator retains editorial voice within the brief.
Disclosure is not optional. Phrases like #ad, #sponsored, or Paid partnership must appear clearly and prominently. Hiding disclosure in a wall of hashtags or placing it below the fold does not meet FTC requirements.
Pricing for sponsored posts varies by platform, audience size, engagement rate, and exclusivity terms. Creators should maintain a rate card and update it regularly as their audience grows.