Affiliate Disclaimer

Last updated: November 9, 2025

1. What Are Affiliate Links?

An affiliate link is a special tracking URL that allows us to earn a commission when you click through and make a purchase from a tool vendor. Here's how it works:

1. You click on a tool link on SmarterTools
2. You are redirected to the tool's website (with a tracking code)
3. If you sign up or purchase within a certain timeframe (usually 30-90 days), we may earn a commission
4. The commission is paid by the tool vendor, not by you

2. No Extra Cost to You

Important: Using our affiliate links does NOT increase the price you pay. The cost is the same whether you use our link or go directly to the vendor's website.

In some cases, we may even be able to negotiate exclusive discounts or deals for our users, potentially saving you money.

3. Editorial Independence

We are committed to maintaining editorial independence and providing honest, unbiased recommendations. Here's our promise:

• ✅ Merit-based recommendations: We recommend tools based on quality, features, and user fit—not commission rates
• ✅ Honest reviews: We highlight both pros and cons of every tool
• ✅ No pay-for-placement: Tool rankings are not influenced by affiliate commissions
• ✅ Transparent AI: Our AI recommendations are based solely on your needs and tool capabilities
• ✅ Non-affiliate tools included: We recommend the best tools even if they don't have affiliate programs

4. Affiliate Programs We Participate In

SmarterTools participates in the following affiliate networks and programs:

• Impact Partnership Cloud: Notion, Airtable, Webflow, and others
• PartnerStack: Supabase, Vercel, and SaaS tools
• ShareASale: Various software and service providers
• Direct Affiliate Programs: Individual partnerships with tool vendors

This list may change as we add or remove partnerships. Not all tools on our site have affiliate programs.

5. Commission Structure

Commission rates vary by tool and affiliate program:

• Typical range: 10% - 40% of the first purchase or subscription
• Recurring commissions: Some programs pay commissions on renewals (less common)
• Free trials: We may earn commissions when you start a free trial (only if you convert to paid)
• Tiered commissions: Higher commissions for more referrals (does not influence recommendations)

We do NOT receive higher commissions for recommending more expensive plans. Our goal is to help you find the right tool at the right price point.

6. How We Use Affiliate Income

Affiliate commissions help us:

• 💰 Cover operating costs (hosting, AI API costs, development)
• 💰 Maintain and update our tool database
• 💰 Improve our AI recommendation engine
• 💰 Create free, high-quality content (reviews, comparisons, guides)
• 💰 Keep the site free for all users

Without affiliate income, we would need to charge subscription fees or display intrusive advertising.

7. Tools Without Affiliate Programs

Not all tools in our database have affiliate programs. We include them anyway because:

• Our primary goal is to help you find the best tools, not maximize commissions
• Some of the best tools (especially open-source) don't offer affiliate programs
• We want to provide comprehensive, unbiased coverage

If a tool doesn't have an affiliate program, we still provide honest reviews and recommendations.

8. Sponsored Content (Future)

We may introduce sponsored content in the future (clearly marked as "Sponsored" or "Advertisement"). If we do:

• 🏷️ All sponsored content will be clearly labeled
• 🏷️ Sponsored placements will be visually distinct from organic recommendations
• 🏷️ We will only accept sponsorships from tools we genuinely believe are valuable
• 🏷️ Sponsored content will not influence our AI recommendations or rankings

Current status: We do not currently have sponsored content. All recommendations are organic.

9. Your Responsibility

While we strive to provide accurate and helpful recommendations, you are responsible for:

• 🔍 Conducting your own research before purchasing
• 🔍 Reading tool reviews, pricing, and terms of service
• 🔍 Evaluating whether a tool meets your specific needs
• 🔍 Understanding the purchase terms and cancellation policies
• 🔍 Managing your subscriptions and renewals

Our recommendations are suggestions, not guarantees. What works for one user may not work for another.

10. Cookie Tracking & Privacy

When you click on an affiliate link:

• 🍪 The tool vendor may set a tracking cookie on your device
• 🍪 This cookie identifies you as a referral from SmarterTools
• 🍪 The cookie typically expires after 30-90 days
• 🍪 We do NOT have access to your personal information or purchase details

For more information about privacy and data collection, see our Privacy Policy.

11. Returns, Refunds & Support

Important: We are NOT responsible for:

• ❌ Processing refunds or returns (contact the tool vendor directly)
• ❌ Customer support for the tools you purchase
• ❌ Technical issues with third-party tools
• ❌ Changes in pricing, features, or availability
• ❌ Disputes between you and tool vendors

For all purchase-related issues, contact the tool vendor directly. We can help you find contact information if needed.

12. Changes to Affiliate Relationships

Our affiliate relationships may change over time:

• We may add new affiliate partnerships
• Existing partnerships may be terminated
• Commission rates may be adjusted by vendors
• Some tools may introduce or discontinue affiliate programs

Changes to affiliate relationships do NOT affect our commitment to honest recommendations.

13. FTC Compliance

This disclosure complies with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255). We are required by law to disclose our affiliate relationships and potential compensation.

Key FTC requirements we follow:

• ✅ Clear and conspicuous disclosure of affiliate relationships
• ✅ Honest and truthful recommendations
• ✅ No deceptive practices or false claims
• ✅ Disclosure placed where users can easily see it

14. International Users

If you are accessing SmarterTools from outside the United States:

• Affiliate links may still work (depending on the vendor's program)
• Tool pricing and availability may vary by country
• Local regulations regarding affiliate marketing may apply
• We comply with GDPR (EU) and other international privacy laws

15. Questions & Concerns

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or concerns about our recommendations, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Affiliate inquiries: [email protected]
• Website: smartertools.app