PostEaseDisclosure requirements are real, not optional etiquette
Most jurisdictions with consumer protection or advertising regulators require a clear, upfront disclosure when a post involves payment, free product, or another material relationship with a brand. In many places this is a legal requirement, not a courtesy. Platform-level disclosure tools (a paid-partnership label, for instance) exist to help meet it, though relying on the platform tool alone doesn't always satisfy the local rules.
Clarity matters more than a specific word choice
A disclosure buried at the end of a long caption, after a string of unrelated hashtags, tends not to count as clear even if the word technically appears somewhere in the post. A disclosure near the beginning of the caption, or clearly visible in the visual itself, holds up better than one a viewer has to scroll to find.
Free product still counts as a material relationship
A common misconception is that disclosure is only required for paid posts. Receiving free product in exchange for coverage is generally still a material relationship that needs disclosing, even with no payment involved. The requirement is about the relationship, not about cash changing hands.
Rules vary by region, so check what applies where you are
Requirements differ across regions, so check your own local regulator's current guidance rather than assuming a rule from one country applies everywhere. Getting this wrong carries real consequences, so confirming the current requirement is worth the extra step.