Our Commitment to Transparency
At Crafted Idea, we believe in complete honesty with our readers. This page explains how we use affiliate links, how it affects you, and why transparency matters to us.
We want you to understand exactly how this website is funded and how we maintain our editorial independence while recommending products we genuinely believe in.
What Are Affiliate Links?
Affiliate links are special tracking URLs that allow us to earn a small commission when you make a purchase after clicking through from our site.
Important: Using our affiliate links does not cost you anything extra. The price you pay is exactly the same whether you use our link or go directly to the retailer’s website.
Here’s how it works:
- You click an affiliate link on our website
- You’re taken to the retailer’s site (Amazon, Awin partners, etc.)
- You complete your purchase at the regular price
- We receive a small commission (typically 3-15% depending on the program)
- Your purchase price remains unchanged
Affiliate Programs We Participate In
We maintain partnerships with various affiliate programs, including but not limited to:
- Amazon Associates — We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
- Awin (formerly ShareASale) — Multi-merchant affiliate network providing access to thousands of brands across fashion, beauty, home, lifestyle, and more. Awin acquired ShareASale in 2017 and operates as one of the world’s largest affiliate networks.
- Impact Partnership Cloud — Global affiliate marketing platform connecting us with premium brands and retailers across multiple product categories.
- FragranceX Affiliate Program — For fragrance and beauty product recommendations
- Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate) — Various retail partners across multiple categories
- Rakuten Advertising — Brand partnerships and merchant relationships
- Other Direct Retailer Programs — Individual partnerships with specialty retailers and brands
The specific programs we use may change over time as we discover new partnerships that benefit our readers.
How Affiliate Commissions Support Our Work
Affiliate commissions help us:
- ✅ Keep our content 100% free for readers
- ✅ Research, test, and review products thoroughly
- ✅ Maintain and improve our website
- ✅ Create high-quality guides, tutorials, and comparisons
- ✅ Purchase products for hands-on testing when possible
- ✅ Invest time in creating detailed, helpful content
Without affiliate income, we would need to charge subscription fees, display intrusive ads, or discontinue the site entirely. Affiliate partnerships allow us to continue providing valuable content at no cost to you.
Our Promise: Editorial Independence
We only recommend products we genuinely believe in.
Our editorial decisions are never influenced by commission rates. Here’s our commitment to you:
- 🔍 We research products extensively before recommending them
- 💯 Our opinions are honest and unbiased
- 🚫 We don’t recommend products just because they pay higher commissions
- ✍️ We disclose both pros and cons in our reviews
- 🎯 We prioritize reader value over affiliate earnings
- 📊 We base recommendations on quality, value, and user reviews
Whether a product has an affiliate link or not, our review standards remain exactly the same.
How We Choose Products to Recommend
Our product selection process includes:
- Research: We study customer reviews, expert opinions, and product specifications
- Comparison: We compare multiple options within each category
- Value Assessment: We evaluate price-to-quality ratios
- Testing (When Possible): We purchase and test products personally when feasible
- Expert Consultation: We reference industry experts and specialists
- Reader Feedback: We consider feedback from our community
We apply these same rigorous standards whether a product has an affiliate program or not.
Sponsored Content vs. Affiliate Links
It’s important to understand the difference:
Affiliate Links
- We choose the products
- Editorial independence maintained
- Honest opinions
- Commission only if you buy
Sponsored Content
- Brand pays upfront
- Clearly labeled “Sponsored”
- Still honest, but commissioned
- Rare on our site
On our site: The vast majority of our content features affiliate links (not sponsored). If we ever publish sponsored content, it will be clearly labeled as “Sponsored,” “Paid Partnership,” or “Ad” at the top of the post.
Your Privacy and Data
When you click an affiliate link:
- 🔒 Your personal information is not shared with us
- 🛡️ The retailer processes your purchase securely
- 📊 We only receive commission data (not your personal details)
- 🍪 Cookies may be used to track the referral (standard practice)
- 🔐 Your payment information is handled solely by the retailer
For more details on how we handle data, please see our Privacy Policy.
Amazon Associates Program Disclosure
“Crafted Idea is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.”
This is the official disclosure required by Amazon’s terms of service.
Awin Affiliate Network Disclosure
“Crafted Idea participates in the Awin affiliate marketing network. Awin and its affiliated brands enable us to earn commissions by linking to products from thousands of merchants across fashion, beauty, home, lifestyle, technology, and other categories.”
About Awin: Awin is one of the world’s largest affiliate networks, connecting publishers like us with premium brands and retailers. When you purchase through our Awin affiliate links, we may receive a commission while you pay the same price you would pay going directly to the retailer.
Awin acquired ShareASale in 2017 and operates both platforms, providing us access to an extensive range of quality merchants and products we’re proud to recommend.
Impact Partnership Cloud Disclosure
“Crafted Idea partners with Impact (formerly Impact Radius), a global partnership automation platform that connects us with premium brands and enterprise retailers.”
About Impact: Impact Partnership Cloud enables us to work with leading brands across multiple industries including fashion, beauty, technology, home goods, and lifestyle products. Through Impact’s platform, we can recommend products from trusted retailers while earning commissions that support our content creation.
All product recommendations made through Impact partnerships follow the same rigorous research and editorial standards as our other content.
FTC Compliance Statement
This disclosure complies with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
We follow FTC guidelines by:
- ✅ Clearly disclosing affiliate relationships
- ✅ Placing disclosures in visible locations
- ✅ Using plain, understandable language
- ✅ Maintaining editorial honesty
Questions or Concerns?
We value your trust and take transparency seriously. If you have any questions about:
- Our affiliate relationships
- Specific product recommendations
- How we evaluate products
- This disclosure policy
Please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this disclosure from time to time to reflect:
- New affiliate partnerships
- Changes in FTC guidelines
- Improvements to our transparency practices
The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page shows when we last revised this disclosure.
Thank You for Your Support
By using our affiliate links, you help us continue creating free, high-quality content while getting the same great prices. We genuinely appreciate your trust and support. 💛
By using this website, you acknowledge and accept our use of affiliate links as described in this disclosure.
