Affiliate Disclaimer
Transparency is at the heart of everything we do. This page explains how ShoesTruth earns money through affiliate partnerships — and why it never affects our recommendations.
At ShoesTruth, we believe in complete transparency with our readers. This Affiliate Disclaimer explains how we generate revenue through our website at www.shoestruth.com (the "Site") and how that revenue supports our mission of providing free, high-quality footwear guides.
1. What Are Affiliate Links?
Affiliate links are special tracking URLs that contain a unique identifier for ShoesTruth. When you click on one of these links and make a purchase from the retailer, that retailer pays us a small commission for referring you. This is a standard practice in online retail and content publishing.
The commission is paid by the retailer out of their own marketing budget — you pay the exact same price whether you use our affiliate link or go directly to the retailer's website.
2. Our Affiliate Partnerships
ShoesTruth participates in the following affiliate programs:
Amazon Services LLC Associates Program
ShoesTruth 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 and its affiliated international sites. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Other Affiliate Programs
We may also participate in affiliate programs with other footwear retailers, brands, and marketplaces. These partnerships operate under the same principles of transparency described on this page.
3. How We Use Affiliate Revenue
Affiliate commissions directly fund the operation of ShoesTruth. Specifically, they help cover:
- Website hosting and maintenance costs
- Research and content creation expenses
- Tools and resources used to produce accurate, up-to-date guides
- Ongoing editorial work to keep content relevant and reliable
Thanks to this support, we can keep ShoesTruth free for all readers — no paywalls, no subscriptions, no required accounts.
4. Our Editorial Independence Pledge
Affiliate commissions never influence our editorial content. We recommend products based on careful research, real-world usability, value, and relevance to our readers. We do not accept payment for positive reviews, and we do not rank products by commission rate.
When we recommend a product, it's because we believe it's genuinely worth considering. When we point out limitations, we do so honestly — even if it means recommending against a product that would earn us a commission.
Our content is created independently. Companies cannot pay to be featured, cannot pay to have negative reviews removed, and cannot pay to influence our rankings or opinions.
5. Identifying Affiliate Links
We strive to make affiliate links as clear as possible. You'll typically see:
- An affiliate disclosure notice at the top of pages containing affiliate links
- Descriptive links or "Buy" buttons that lead to retailers
- Specific references to retailers like "Amazon," "Check Price on Amazon," or similar call-to-action text
Even if a link isn't explicitly labeled as "affiliate," assume that any link leading to a product retailer may be an affiliate link. This is standard practice and part of how free content remains sustainable.
6. FTC Compliance Statement
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising," we fully disclose our affiliate relationships. This page, along with the on-page disclosures, serves as our official disclosure of any material connection between ShoesTruth and the products or retailers mentioned on this Site.
We are committed to full compliance with FTC guidelines and to maintaining the trust of our readers through honest, transparent communication.
7. Pricing and Availability Disclaimer
Prices and availability of products mentioned on ShoesTruth are accurate as of the date and time indicated but are subject to change without notice. The price displayed on the retailer's website at the time of purchase is the price that applies. We cannot guarantee that a product will remain available or that its price will remain as shown.
Any prices cited on ShoesTruth are estimates based on market conditions at the time of writing and are provided for informational purposes only.
8. Your Support Matters
If you find our content helpful and decide to make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we sincerely appreciate it. Your support allows us to continue producing free, high-quality guides for everyone.
However, we never want you to feel obligated to use our links. If you prefer, you're welcome to search for the product directly — our recommendations stand on their own merit, regardless of how you choose to purchase.
9. Questions and Concerns
If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about this Affiliate Disclaimer or our affiliate practices, please contact us. We are committed to transparency and are happy to address any questions you may have.
For related policies, please also review our Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
Questions About Our Affiliate Practices?
We're committed to full transparency. If anything on this page is unclear or you'd like more details, please reach out.
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