The YouTube description box has long been the default home for affiliate links. But two other placements—the pinned comment and the Community tab—are often more visible and can drive higher conversions. They put your recommendation front and center, especially for the majority of viewers who watch on mobile.
This guide covers how to use a YouTube pinned comment affiliate link and Community tab posts to your advantage. We’ll walk through placement, wording, disclosure, and testing strategies that work.
Why use pinned comments and Community posts?
While you should still use YouTube description links, relying on them alone means you're missing out. The description is often hidden behind a "...more" button on mobile, and many viewers never expand it.
Pinned comments and Community posts solve this visibility problem.
Pinned comments appear at the very top of the comment section, a high-engagement area that viewers often scroll to while the video is still playing. A pinned comment feels like a direct, personal message from you to your audience, separate from the more formal description.
The YouTube Community tab acts as a lightweight social feed for your subscribers. It allows you to post text, images, polls, and GIFs, creating opportunities to share your affiliate link without producing a full video. It’s perfect for reminders, quick recommendations, or engaging your audience before presenting an offer.
Best practices for your YouTube pinned comment affiliate link
Pinning a comment is simple, but making it effective requires a clear strategy. Your goal is to make the link feel like a natural extension of your video content.
Wording and call to action (CTA)
Your pinned comment should be concise and compelling. It needs to give viewers a clear reason to click.
- Be direct: "Try the app I mentioned in the video:"
- Highlight the viewer's benefit: "Get 100 free coins to watch on Tokime with my link:"
- Add personal context: "This is the series I was obsessed with all week. You can watch it here:"
- Ask a question: "What did you think of the plot twist? Let me know, and check out the full series here:"
Don't be afraid to test different approaches. Use a direct CTA in one video and a more conversational tone in another to see what resonates with your audience.
Disclosure is non-negotiable
Anytime you post an affiliate link, you must disclose your relationship with the brand. This is crucial for maintaining your audience's trust and complying with advertising laws. Place a clear disclosure directly within your pinned comment.
Examples of simple, effective disclosures include:
- (affiliate link)
- (I may earn a commission from this link)
- #ad
- #sponsored
Treat the pinned comment as a standalone endorsement. The disclosure needs to be there, even if you also have one in your description or spoken in the video. For a deeper dive, read our guide on FTC disclosure for affiliate links.
Combine with description and verbal callouts
Using a pinned comment doesn't mean you should abandon the description box. Use both. Some viewers are conditioned to look in the description, while others live in the comments. Cater to both habits.
A simple verbal CTA in your video can tie it all together: "I've put the link to try it for yourself in the description and in the pinned comment below."
Creating Community posts that convert
The YouTube Community tab is a powerful tool for nurturing your audience and driving affiliate conversions between video uploads. Because these posts appear in the Subscriptions feed, they keep your channel top-of-mind.
Mix up your post formats
YouTube gives you several formats for Community posts. Use them to keep your content fresh and engaging.
- Text-only: A quick, authentic recommendation. Share a short thought about a product or app and drop the link.
- Image/GIF: Visuals grab attention. Post an approved poster, a compelling screenshot, or a GIF of a key moment.
- Polls: Engage your audience before introducing the link. For example, run a poll asking, "Which of these anime genres is your favorite?" Then, in the comments of the poll or a follow-up post, write, "For everyone who voted for romance, you have to see this new series I found. Link:"
A/B test your messaging
Just as with pinned comments, you should test different wording in your Community posts to see what drives the most clicks. Track your results and refine your approach over time.
Here’s a simple framework for testing your copy:
| Goal | Wording A (Direct) | Wording B (Benefit-focused) |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Clicks | "Watch the new Tokime series I'm talking about." | "This new anime short-drama is insane. You can start watching with 100 free coins on me." |
| Announce a Find | "Found a new app for anime short dramas." | "If you have 5 minutes, you have time for a whole anime arc. Check out this new app." |
| Build Urgency | "Don't miss the season finale of [Series Name]." | "Everyone's talking about the ending of [Series Name]. Catch up before you see spoilers!" |
Find the right frequency
Don't turn your Community tab into a billboard. If every post is a promotion, your audience will tune out. Mix in non-promotional content like behind-the-scenes photos, questions for your audience, or updates about your next video.
A good rule of thumb is to aim for a ratio of one promotional post for every three to four non-promotional posts. This keeps your feed valuable and ensures your recommendations land with more impact when you do make them.
Promoting Tokime on your channel
For creators in the anime, gaming, and entertainment spaces, the Tokime app is a natural fit for affiliate promotion using these YouTube features. The app offers cinematic anime series in short, vertical episodes, which provides endless content to react to, review, or discuss.
As a Tokime Partner, you earn a lifetime revenue share from every viewer who joins with your link. This model makes the long-term visibility of pinned comments and the consistent engagement of Community posts incredibly valuable. A viewer who clicks your pinned comment today could contribute to your earnings for years.
When crafting your CTA, always mention the viewer bonus: they get 100 free coins for signing up with your link or code. This incentive is a powerful driver for conversions. The program's Marketing Kit also provides approved posters and clips, making it easy to create eye-catching Community posts.
You can learn more about lifetime affiliate programs or apply to become a Tokime Partner at tokimepartners.com/join.
FAQ
Can I put an affiliate link in a YouTube Short?
Yes, you can and you should. YouTube Shorts do not have clickable descriptions, making the pinned comment the single most important place for your affiliate link. This is the primary way to drive traffic from your short-form content. For more, see our guide on YouTube Shorts affiliate marketing.
How often should I post an affiliate link in the Community tab?
Balance is key. Avoid making every post a promotion. A good starting point is a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of promotional to non-promotional posts. This ensures your audience stays engaged with your channel and doesn't feel like they're just being sold to.
Do I need to disclose affiliate links in pinned comments?
Yes, absolutely. A pinned comment is a form of endorsement, and you must clearly and conspicuously disclose your affiliate relationship. A simple (ad), (affiliate link), or similar text next to your link is sufficient to maintain transparency with your audience and comply with advertising regulations.
Should my pinned comment be the same as my description link?
The link should point to the same affiliate URL, but the surrounding text can and should be different. Test a more direct, list-style format in your description and a more personal, conversational tone in your pinned comment. This allows you to see what kind of messaging your audience responds to best.