Affiliate Disclosure
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
Our Commitment to Transparency
At The Recipe Atlas, we believe in complete transparency with our readers. This disclosure explains how we earn income and our affiliate relationships.
The short version: We earn commissions when you purchase products through certain links on our website, at no extra cost to you. These affiliate relationships help us keep The Recipe Atlas free and continue creating quality recipe content.
What Are Affiliate Links?
Affiliate links are special URLs that track when visitors click through to make purchases. When you buy something through our affiliate links, we earn a small commission from the merchant.
Important to know:
- ✅ Affiliate links cost you nothing extra
- ✅ Prices are the same whether you use our link or not
- ✅ Commissions come from the merchant, not from your pocket
- ✅ We only recommend products we genuinely believe in
Our Affiliate Programs
The Recipe Atlas participates in the following affiliate marketing programs:
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.
What this means:
- When you click Amazon links on our site and make a purchase, we earn a small commission
- This applies to products we link to AND other products you purchase in that session
- Your Amazon Prime benefits are not affected
- Returns and refunds are handled directly by Amazon
Commission rates: Typically 1-10% depending on product category
ClickBank
We promote digital products (e-books, courses, programs) through ClickBank, an affiliate marketplace specializing in information products.
What this means:
- Digital products in health, fitness, cooking, and personal development niches
- Higher commission rates (often 50-75%) than physical products
- Products are typically digital downloads or online courses
Why ClickBank: Many high-quality cooking courses, nutrition guides, and kitchen training programs are available through ClickBank.
ShareASale
We participate in ShareASale, an affiliate network connecting us with various brands and retailers.
Merchants may include:
- Kitchen equipment brands
- Specialty food retailers
- Cooking tools and gadgets
- Home and lifestyle brands
Other Affiliate Networks
We may also participate in:
- Impact (formerly Impact Radius)
- CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
- Rakuten Advertising
- FlexOffers
- Awin
- Individual brand affiliate programs
Types of Affiliate Content
Product Reviews and Recommendations
When we review or recommend products:
- Purchased: We buy and test many products ourselves
- Gifted: Some brands send products for review (always disclosed)
- Research-based: Some recommendations are based on extensive research and reputation
We always disclose when:
- A product was provided free for review
- We have a business relationship with the brand
- Content is sponsored (marked clearly as "Sponsored")
Kitchen Equipment Guides
Our equipment guides (best stand mixers, blender comparisons, etc.) often include affiliate links to recommended products.
Our process:
- Research market options thoroughly
- Test products when possible
- Read verified user reviews
- Compare features, prices, and value
- Recommend based on merit, not commission rates
Recipe Ingredient Links
Some recipes include affiliate links to specific ingredients, especially:
- Specialty ingredients hard to find locally
- Specific brands we recommend for quality
- Kitchen tools needed for the recipe
You are never required to purchase through our links.
Banner Advertisements
We display banner ads through affiliate networks. These may be:
- Contextual: Related to recipe content
- Retargeted: Based on your browsing history
- General: Standard display advertising
Our Editorial Independence
Our Promise to You
We NEVER:
- ❌ Recommend products solely for high commissions
- ❌ Write fake positive reviews
- ❌ Hide negative aspects of products
- ❌ Let affiliate relationships compromise honest opinions
- ❌ Guarantee that products will work for everyone
We ALWAYS:
- ✅ Prioritize honest, accurate reviews
- ✅ Disclose affiliate relationships
- ✅ Test products when feasible
- ✅ Update reviews if opinions change
- ✅ Welcome reader feedback and questions
How We Choose Products
Our recommendation criteria:
- Quality: Does it perform well?
- Value: Is it worth the price?
- Relevance: Does it fit our audience's needs?
- Reputation: What do verified users say?
- Our Experience: Have we used it successfully?
Commission rates do NOT determine our recommendations.
FTC Compliance
Federal Trade Commission Guidelines
The Recipe Atlas complies with FTC 16 CFR Part 255 (Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising).
This means we:
- ✅ Clearly disclose material connections with brands
- ✅ Mark sponsored content explicitly
- ✅ Ensure disclosures are clear and conspicuous
- ✅ Maintain editorial independence
- ✅ Represent products honestly
Disclosure Placement
You'll find affiliate disclosures:
- At the top of articles with affiliate links
- Near affiliate links when appropriate
- In individual product callouts
- On this dedicated disclosure page
Common disclosure language:
- "This post contains affiliate links"
- "As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases"
- "Some links in this article are affiliate links"
Your Support Helps Us
When you purchase through our affiliate links, you support The Recipe Atlas without paying anything extra.
Your support enables us to:
- Create free recipe content
- Test kitchen equipment and products
- Photograph and develop new recipes
- Maintain and improve our website
- Provide recipe content without paywalls
Sponsored Content
Occasionally, brands pay us to create sponsored content (recipe development, product features, brand partnerships).
Sponsored content is ALWAYS clearly marked:
- Header stating "Sponsored" or "Paid Partnership"
- Disclosure at the beginning of the post
- Clear identification of the sponsor
- Distinction from editorial content
Our standards for sponsored content:
- Must align with our values and audience interests
- We maintain creative control and honest opinions
- We only partner with brands we genuinely support
- Full transparency with readers
Advertising Networks
In addition to affiliate marketing, we display advertisements through:
Google AdSense / Ad Manager
- Contextual display ads based on page content
- May use cookies for ad targeting
- Managed through Google's platform
Mediavine or Similar (If applicable)
- Premium ad network for recipe and lifestyle content
- Video ads and display advertising
- Revenue sharing model
You can control ad experience:
- Use ad blockers (though it affects our revenue)
- Adjust ad personalization in Google Ads Settings
- Review our Cookie Policy for more information
Third-Party Relationships
We have relationships with brands that may include:
- Free product samples for review
- Commission-based sales
- Sponsored content agreements
- Brand ambassadorships (disclosed when applicable)
We do NOT:
- Accept payment for positive reviews
- Alter negative opinions for compensation
- Hide material relationships
- Mislead readers about product quality
Questions About Affiliate Links
Can I trust your recommendations?
Yes. Our reputation depends on honest recommendations. We only promote products we genuinely believe provide value.
Do you test all products you recommend?
When possible, yes. For products we haven't personally tested, we base recommendations on:
- Extensive research
- Verified user reviews
- Brand reputation
- Industry expert opinions
We always disclose our level of experience with products.
Why use affiliate links at all?
Affiliate marketing allows us to:
- Keep recipes and content free
- Avoid subscription paywalls
- Fund product testing and photography
- Maintain editorial independence
- Continue creating quality content
Do I have to buy through your links?
Absolutely not. You can:
- Search for products directly
- Compare prices on other sites
- Purchase in physical stores
- Use our recipes without buying anything
We just appreciate when you do use our links to support our work.
Can I disable affiliate links?
You can:
- Not click on them (they're optional)
- Use ad blockers (some block affiliate links)
- Shop directly with merchants
Changes to This Disclosure
We may update this disclosure to reflect:
- New affiliate partnerships
- Changes in programs or policies
- Updated FTC guidelines
- Reader feedback
Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date.
Contact Us
Questions about our affiliate relationships or this disclosure?
Email: contact@therecipeatlas.com
Subject: "Affiliate Disclosure Question"
Additional Resources
Learn more about affiliate marketing and FTC guidelines:
Bottom Line: We earn commissions from affiliate links and advertising, which helps keep The Recipe Atlas free. We're committed to transparency, honest recommendations, and putting our readers first. Thank you for your support!
This disclosure complies with FTC requirements and is updated regularly to reflect current partnerships and practices.
Last Updated: January 15, 2025
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