The Verdict of Ideas may participate in selected affiliate programs. When an affiliate relationship applies, it is disclosed clearly at the relevant recommendation. Affiliate relationships do not determine our evidence, sources, conclusions, ratings, or editorial coverage.
What an affiliate link is
An affiliate link is a commercial link. If a reader follows one and makes a purchase, the publication may receive a commission from the merchant. The reader pays no more because the link was used.
The separation rule
This is the governing rule of this publication and it is not negotiable.
Evidence is never monetised. Commercial links never appear inside the source record.
- Citations, footnotes, source registers, primary documents, filings, archives, court records, and academic references are never affiliate links.
- A work is never cited as evidence because a commission is available on it.
- Commercial recommendations appear only in a clearly separated section, visually and structurally distinct from the evidence record.
- Outbound links are never converted to affiliate links automatically.
A reader must never have to wonder whether a source was chosen because it pays.
How disclosure will appear
Where affiliate links are used, a short disclosure is placed directly above the recommendation block, in addition to this page. A generic site-wide notice alone is not treated as sufficient.
The disclosure wording will be:
Some links in this section are commercial affiliate links. If you purchase through one, The Verdict of Ideas may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not determine our evidence, conclusions, ratings, or editorial coverage.
Basis
United States readers are addressed by the Federal Trade Commission’s Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising, 16 CFR Part 255, which interpret section 5 of the FTC Act and require a material connection between endorser and advertiser to be disclosed clearly and conspicuously. European and United Kingdom consumer rules likewise treat affiliate marketing as advertising subject to disclosure.
This publication is operated from Serbia and read internationally. The approach taken is to disclose plainly in all territories rather than to determine the minimum required in each.
What is never accepted
- Recommending a product that has not been read, used, or independently assessed.
- Selecting a recommendation because its commission rate is higher.
- Softening, delaying, or withholding a critical finding to protect commercial revenue.
- Presenting a commercial link as though it were a cited source.
Changes
Affiliate participation may begin, change, or end. Material changes are dated on this page. Questions may be sent to theverdictofideas@gmail.com.
Related: Editorial Independence, Content & Sourcing Standards, Privacy Policy.