Affiliate Programs

Best use case

Earn commissions when readers buy tools through tracked links.

Pricing note

Affiliate programs do not have one standard price model; commission rates, cookie windows, approval rules, and allowed traffic sources must be checked per program.

Test note

Use affiliate links only after the page has original evidence, a visible disclosure, outbound click tracking, and a review process that keeps commercial links separate from editorial verdicts.

Editorial verdict

Useful later, not at launch. Affiliate links can fit comparison and buyer-intent pages, but only after the page is useful without the link and the commercial relationship is disclosed clearly.

Screenshot to capture

Capture the page-level disclosure, outbound click event, affiliate program terms, and the editorial notes that justify the recommendation.

Hands-on test plan

1. Choose one tool page that already has source-checked evidence and search intent.
2. Write a plain disclosure before the first monetized link.
3. Add tracked outbound links without changing the editorial verdict.
4. Record the program terms, allowed traffic sources, commission model, and last-checked date.

Source links

• FTC Disclosures 101
• FTC Endorsement Guides Q&A
• eCFR Endorsement Guides
• Google Search spam policies
• Google affiliate programs and added value

Monetization fit

High. Track clicks, signups, and conversion rate per page before scaling content.

Strengths

• Higher upside than display ads
• Works with smaller but higher-intent traffic
• Fits comparison pages

Limits

• Needs disclosure
• Programs change terms
• Can bias content if unmanaged