Affiliate Disclosure
Transparency about how we earn commissions and support our work
Last Updated: August 6, 2026 | Effective Date: August 6, 2026
✅ In Plain English: How We Make Money
CradleCheck is a free resource for parents. We earn money when you click on certain product links on our site and make a purchase. This costs you nothing extra—the retailer pays us a small commission as a "thank you" for the referral. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in, and commissions never influence our reviews. That is our promise to you.
1. Our Commitment to Transparency
At CradleCheck, trust is the foundation of everything we do. We created this Affiliate Disclosure to be completely transparent about how our website generates revenue. This page complies with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255), which require us to disclose material connections between our site and the products we recommend.
When we say "material connection," we mean any relationship that could affect how people view our recommendations—including affiliate commissions, free products, sponsorships, or advertising. This page explains exactly how these relationships work at CradleCheck.
2. What Are Affiliate Links and How Do They Work?
Affiliate links are special URLs that track when a reader clicks from our site to a retailer's website. Here is the simple 4-step process:
1. You Click a Link
You read our guide and click on a product link that interests you.
2. You Shop Normally
You arrive at the retailer's website (like Amazon) and shop as usual.
3. You Pay the Same Price
Your price is identical to what you would pay without our link.
4. We Earn a Commission
The retailer gives us a small percentage of the sale as a referral fee.
💡 Key Point: The commission comes out of the retailer's profit margin, not from your pocket. You never pay more because you used our link. In fact, we sometimes negotiate exclusive discounts that save you money.
3. Our Affiliate Programs
CradleCheck participates in the following affiliate programs. This list may be updated as we add or remove partnerships:
| Affiliate Program | Type | Products Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Services LLC Associates Program | Primary | Baby gear, nursery furniture, maternity products, toys, feeding supplies, and more |
| Other Retailer Programs | Secondary | Select baby product retailers and specialty stores (programs may vary) |
| Google AdSense | Display Ads | Contextual advertisements displayed throughout the site |
3.1 Amazon Associates Program
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. CradleCheck 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 sites.
Amazon is our primary affiliate partner because it offers:
- The widest selection of baby products from hundreds of brands
- Competitive pricing and frequent deals
- Fast, reliable shipping (especially for Prime members)
- Strong customer protection and return policies
- Verified customer reviews that help with research
3.2 Other Affiliate Programs
We may occasionally partner with other retailers and brands through various affiliate networks. These partnerships are always evaluated for quality, reliability, and customer experience. When you click a link to a non-Amazon retailer, the same principles apply: no extra cost to you, and commissions do not influence our recommendations.
4. Our Promise: Editorial Independence
This is the most important section of this disclosure. We want you to understand exactly how we maintain our integrity:
🔒 Our Editorial Commitments
- We never accept payment for positive reviews. No manufacturer or brand can pay us to write a favorable review, inflate ratings, or feature their product prominently.
- We do not accept free products in exchange for reviews. While some review sites accept free samples, we believe this creates bias. We purchase or borrow products for testing whenever possible.
- Commissions do not affect rankings. Our product comparisons and "best of" lists are based on research, safety data, parent feedback, and value—never on which product pays the highest commission.
- We recommend products we would use with our own families. If a product does not meet our standards, we either do not feature it or we clearly explain its limitations.
- Negative feedback is published honestly. If a popular product has notable flaws, we tell you. Your trust is worth more than any commission.
Many of the products we recommend have affiliate links, but not all products on CradleCheck are monetized. We regularly link to products and resources that earn us nothing because they are genuinely the best option for our readers. The presence or absence of an affiliate program never determines whether we recommend a product.
5. How We Use Affiliate Earnings
Running CradleCheck requires real resources. Affiliate commissions help us cover:
- Website hosting and maintenance: Keeping the site fast, secure, and accessible.
- Content creation: Paying our writers, researchers, and editors for their time and expertise.
- Product research and testing: Purchasing products for hands-on evaluation when possible.
- Tools and services: Software, analytics, and design tools that help us create better content.
- Continuing education: Staying current on baby product safety standards, parenting research, and SEO best practices.
Without affiliate revenue, CradleCheck could not exist as a free resource. We are deeply grateful to every reader who supports our work by using our links. Your support allows us to continue creating thorough, honest, and helpful content for parents worldwide.
6. How We Select Products for Review
Our product selection process is driven entirely by what parents need, not by which products offer affiliate commissions. Here is how we decide what to feature:
- Identify parent needs: We listen to questions in parenting forums, social media groups, and our own reader comments to understand what products parents are researching.
- Market research: We identify the leading products in each category based on popularity, safety certifications, and brand reputation.
- Deep analysis: We compare specifications, safety ratings, parent reviews, price points, and durability across multiple products.
- Hands-on evaluation: When feasible, we test products ourselves to assess ease of use, comfort, and real-world performance.
- Final recommendations: We select the best products for different needs and budgets—regardless of commission rates.
Only after we have finalized our recommendations do we check whether affiliate links are available. If they are, we use them. If not, we link to the product anyway because it is the right recommendation for our readers.
7. FTC Compliance and Legal Requirements
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that we disclose material connections between our site and products we endorse. We comply with these requirements in multiple ways:
- This page: A comprehensive, permanently accessible Affiliate Disclosure page (you are reading it now).
- On-page notices: Every page containing affiliate links includes a clearly visible disclosure notice near the product recommendations.
- Footer links: Links to this disclosure appear in our site footer and in relevant contexts throughout the site.
- Individual post disclosures: Where appropriate, we include additional disclosure language within specific articles.
We take FTC compliance seriously. Transparency is not just a legal requirement—it is the right way to do business with people who trust us.
8. Frequently Asked Questions About Affiliate Links
No. The price you pay is identical whether you use our affiliate link or go directly to the retailer. The commission comes from the retailer's profit margin, not from your wallet. In some cases, our links may even provide access to exclusive discounts or promotions.
Absolutely not. We rank and recommend products based on safety, quality, value, and real parent feedback. Commission rates vary by product category, but we do not even check commission rates until after our recommendations are finalized. Our integrity is not for sale.
No. We do not accept free products, sponsored placements, or paid reviews from manufacturers. When we test products, we purchase them ourselves or borrow from trusted sources. This eliminates any pressure to write a favorable review in exchange for free merchandise.
On pages with affiliate links, you will see a disclosure notice near the products. While individual links are not marked one-by-one (this would clutter the page), you can assume that most product links leading to retailers like Amazon are affiliate links. Rest assured: clicking them costs you nothing extra.
You are always welcome to search for products directly on Amazon or any retailer's website. Our guides and recommendations remain valuable resources regardless of how you choose to make your purchase. We are here to inform your decisions, not to force you through our links.
Commission rates vary by product category and retailer. For Amazon, rates typically range from 1% to 10% depending on the product category, with most baby products falling in the 3–4% range. This means if you purchase a $200 stroller through our link, we might earn approximately $6–$8. These small commissions add up to support our work.
9. Other Revenue Sources
In addition to affiliate links, CradleCheck earns revenue through:
- Display Advertising: We show ads through Google AdSense and possibly other networks. These are contextual ads that appear based on your browsing history and interests. They are clearly distinguishable from our editorial content.
We do not sell sponsored posts, paid guest articles, or "advertorial" content. When you read an article on CradleCheck, it is editorial content created by our team—not paid placement by a brand.
10. Your Cost: Zero. Always.
We cannot emphasize this enough: using our affiliate links never costs you a single cent extra. The price of the product is identical whether you arrive through CradleCheck, a Google search, or by typing the URL directly. In fact, using our links can sometimes benefit you:
- We occasionally identify and share exclusive discount codes
- Our guides help you avoid buying unnecessary or low-quality products
- We save you hours of research time by compiling the best options in one place
11. Questions? We Are Here.
Transparency means being open to questions. If anything on this page is unclear, or if you have concerns about our affiliate relationships, please reach out. We are happy to provide additional information or clarification.
🌐 Contact Page: https://www.cradlecheck.com/contact
📄 Full Disclaimer: View our complete Disclaimer
🔒 Privacy Policy: View our Privacy Policy
We respond to all inquiries within 5–7 business days.
🙏 Thank You for Supporting CradleCheck
Every time you use our affiliate links, you are supporting our ability to create free, high-quality content for parents around the world. We do not take this support lightly. We are committed to earning your trust with every article we publish, every product we recommend, and every word we write. Thank you for being part of the CradleCheck community.