Transparency
August 23, 2025
We created this page to explain—plainly and transparently—how revenue works at TheNiftiest.com and how we protect our editorial independence.
In short: we make money in two ways (display ads and affiliate commissions), but our recommendations are driven by product quality, real customer feedback, hands-on testing when possible, and advice from trusted industry experts (doctors, engineers, scientists). Business considerations never determine our picks or how we may rank those businesses we do featur.
Check out our latest reviews, comparison articles, and deep-dives into the latest and greatest products and services out there.
When you click a product link on The Niftiest and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission from that retailer. This is called “affiliate marketing.” The commission is paid by the retailer, not by you.
If a product is the right pick for our readers but offers no affiliate program—or a lower commission than alternatives—we still recommend it. Our north star is what’s best for you, not what pays the most. That way we hope you’ll bookmark our website and come back for more recommendations!
We clearly disclose the presence of affiliate links across our site. If a page contains affiliate links, you’ll see an obvious disclosure
You’ll also see display ads on our site. These ads are typically served by Google or another ad network. The networks handle targeting and placement; our editorial team doesn’t decide which specific ads appear, and advertisers don’t get to influence our reviews, ratings, or picks. An ad appearing next to an article is not an endorsement of that advertiser’s product.
We keep a strict separation between ad operations and editorial. Ad layout or availability never changes what we recommend.
We recommend products and services based on:
Real world quality and performance. We prioritize items that are well-built, reliable, and deliver great user experiences.
Verified customer feedback. We read a ton of recent, honest reviews to understand long-term satisfaction and common pain points.
Hands on experience. Whenever possible, we test items ourselves. If we haven’t used a product, we lean on deep research and independent data.
Expert input. We consult credentialed professionals, like physicians for health topics or engineers for hardware, when added rigor is needed.
If we accept a sample for testing, there are no promises of coverage, no guarantee of a positive review, and no right of editorial review by the brand, unless there are factual inaccuracies (read: mistakes) in something we write about. Samples never buy influence; at most, they help us evaluate more products faster. When a sample meaningfully impacts our ability to test (e.g. pre-release hardware), we’ll disclose it.
We earn affiliate commissions only when you purchase through our links. If you return a product, we usually don’t keep that commission. In many cases we also recommend retailers that don’t pay us at all because they’re the best option for availability, price, or service. Your trust is worth far more than a commission.
No pay-to-play. We do not sell placements in our guides, “best” lists, or reviews.
No undisclosed sponsorships. Any sponsored content (rare) will be conspicuously labeled as such and kept separate from independent reviews.
Independence. Writers and editors choose what to test and what to recommend without input from sales, advertisers, or affiliate partners.
If you spot anything that seems unclear—or if you have feedback on a recommendation—please contact us. We regularly update our guides and welcome reader input. Transparency is a two-way street, and we’re always happy to explain our process in more detail.
Advertising disclosure: The Niftiest displays banner ads served by Google and/or other ad providers. Advertisers do not influence our editorial decisions, and ad placement does not equal endorsement.
