General Statement
In 2015, the Federal Trade Commission released their new rules for Disclosure Compliance. These rules are set to ensure that readers of web media (blogs, Youtube videos, etc.) know if the blogger is sponsored with a different company. However, the readers need to know if the blogger is making money by sharing a link or product.
In compliance with the FTC guidelines, however, assume that some links on foodanddrinkmanufacturing.com are affiliate links of which I receive commissions.
What are affiliate links?
Purchases are made on external affiliate company websites whenever a reader clicks on an affiliate link located on .com to purchase an item. The reader buys the item from the seller directly (not from foodanddrinkmanufacturing.com). Amazon and/or other companies pay foodanddrinkmanufacturing.com a small commissions through their affiliate program.
Prices are exactly the same for you if your purchase is through an affiliate link. You will not pay more by clicking through to the link.
I use two main types of affiliate programs:
1. Amazon affiliate links.
foodanddrinkmanufacturing.com 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. However, Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links.
If a blogger links to an Amazon product, and a reader buys through that link within 24 hours of clicking the blogger gets a commission. Amazon links are not “pay per click.” If you click on the product link and purchase something else however, I will get commission on that sale.
Anytime you see a link that looks like astore.com/… or amazon.com… it can be assumed that it is an Amazon affiliate link.
2. Product affiliate links.
These affiliate links work the same way. However, if you click the link and buy the blogger gets commission. However, things like e-book bundles, e-courses, and online packages are usually affiliate links as well. Again, prices are not different if you use these affiliate links. Nonetheless you will not pay more by clicking through to the link. These links are not “pay per click”, unless otherwise denoted.
What about sponsored content?
I do not write sponsored posts but bring you real, unbiased information. These might include sustainability, production, food safety, and sensory science. However, if a post is sponsored by a company I will disclose this clearly in the beginning of the post.