The Finance Reveal is reader-supported. This page explains, in plain terms, how affiliate relationships work on our site and the principles that keep them from affecting what we publish.
What affiliate links are
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and then sign up for or buy a product (for example, a credit card, bank account, brokerage, or insurance policy), we may earn a commission from the provider. This comes at no extra cost to you; you pay the same price whether you use our link or go directly to the provider.
Why we use them
Commissions are one of the ways we fund the research, writing, and tools we offer for free. They let us keep most of the site free to read and free of paywalls. We are grateful when readers choose to use our links, but you are never under any obligation to do so.
How affiliate relationships affect our content, and why they don’t
This is the part that matters most. A commission never buys a better review, a higher rating, or a more prominent placement. We choose which products to feature, and how to rank them, based on what we judge to be best for the reader. If the strongest option for you happens to be one that pays us nothing, that is the one we recommend. We also include products that have no affiliate relationship with us at all when they deserve a place.
How we label these links
Where a page relies on affiliate links, we make that clear. Our goal is that you never wonder whether money changed hands. If a relationship could reasonably affect how you read a recommendation, we tell you about it.
Accuracy of product details
Rates, fees, rewards, and terms for financial products change frequently. We work to keep details current, but the provider’s own website is always the definitive source. Confirm the latest terms directly with the provider before you apply.
Questions
If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships or how we make money, we are happy to explain. Reach us through our Contact page. For the separation between our advertising and our editorial work, see our Advertiser Disclosure and Editorial Policy.