Affiliate Disclosure

1. FTC Compliance Statement

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising,” SpinningPole is required to disclose any material connection between us and the products or services we recommend.

This disclosure page exists to inform you of these relationships and how they may affect our content and recommendations.

2. What Are Affiliate Links?

Affiliate links are special tracking links that allow retailers to know when someone makes a purchase after clicking a link from our website. When you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, we receive a small commission from the retailer.

Key Points About Affiliate Commissions:

• No Extra Cost to You: The price you pay is exactly the same whether you use our link or go directly to the retailer
• The Retailer Pays Us: The commission comes from the retailer’s marketing budget, not from your pocket
• Typical Commission: Usually 1-10% of the purchase price, depending on the product category and retailer
• How It Helps: These commissions help us cover hosting, testing equipment, and site maintenance costs

3. Our Affiliate Partnerships

We participate in the following affiliate programs:

Amazon Associates

SpinningPole 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, Amazon.co.uk, and other Amazon stores worldwide.

Other Affiliate Networks

We also partner with other affiliate networks and individual brands, including but not limited to:

• ShareASale
• CJ Affiliate (Commission Junction)
• Awin
• Direct partnerships with fishing gear manufacturers and retailers

Note: Our affiliate partnerships may change over time as we evaluate new opportunities that benefit our readers.

4. Our Editorial Independence

How We Maintain Independence:

• We Buy Most Products: The majority of products we review are purchased with our own funds, not sent by manufacturers
• Real Testing: Every product undergoes 3-6 months of real-world field testing before review
• Honest Opinions: We publish both positive and negative findings, regardless of commission potential
• No Pay-for-Review: We never accept payment for positive reviews or guaranteed coverage
• We Decline Products: If we receive a product that doesn’t meet our standards, we say so or don’t review it

5. Products We Review

How We Select Products for Review:

• Reader Interest: Products our audience asks about most
• Market Relevance: Popular or promising new products in the fishing gear market
• Testing Feasibility: Products we can thoroughly test in our conditions
• Value Proposition: Products that offer genuine value at their price points

Products We Purchase vs. Receive:

• ~80% Purchased: We buy most products ourselves for unbiased testing
• ~20% Received: Some manufacturers send products for review, but this doesn’t guarantee positive coverage
• Always Disclosed: We disclose in reviews whether we purchased or received the product

6. How Commissions Work

When We Earn a Commission:

1. You click an affiliate link on our website
2. You’re redirected to the retailer’s website (e.g., Amazon)
3. A tracking cookie is placed (typically valid for 24-90 days)
4. You complete a purchase during the cookie period
5. The retailer pays us a small commission

When We DON’T Earn a Commission:

• You don’t complete a purchase
• You use a coupon code that voids the affiliate tracking
• The tracking cookie expires before purchase
• You purchase through a different affiliate link

7. Types of Compensation

In addition to affiliate commissions, we may receive other forms of compensation:

Product Samples

Occasionally, manufacturers send us products to review at no cost. We are not obligated to review these products, and receiving free samples does not guarantee positive coverage. All reviews remain honest and unbiased.

Sponsored Content

We may occasionally publish sponsored posts or reviews. These are clearly labeled as “Sponsored,” “Paid Partnership,” or “Advertisement” and follow all FTC guidelines. Sponsored content represents the opinion of the sponsor, not necessarily our own.

Display Advertising

We may display banner ads or other advertising on our website through networks like Google AdSense. These ads are clearly distinguishable from editorial content.

8. Our Recommendation Philosophy

We Only Recommend Products That:

• ✓ We’ve personally tested for at least 3 months
• ✓ Performed well in real fishing conditions
• ✓ Offer genuine value for the price
• ✓ We would actually use ourselves
• ✓ Meet our quality and durability standards

We DO NOT Recommend Products That:

• ✗ We haven’t personally tested
• ✗ Failed our testing standards
• ✗ Are overpriced for their performance
• ✗ Have poor build quality or durability
• ✗ We wouldn’t use ourselves

9. Alternative Options

We believe in providing complete information, even if it means recommending products with lower or no commission rates:

• Best Value Focus: We recommend the best product for each price point, regardless of commission
• Multiple Options: We provide several recommendations at different price levels
• Non-Affiliate Mentions: We mention competing products even when they don’t have affiliate programs
• Direct Purchase Options: We inform you when buying direct from manufacturer offers better deals

10. Your Trust Matters

We take your trust seriously. Our reputation is built on honest, unbiased reviews—and that’s far more valuable than any commission. Here’s our commitment:

11. How to Support Us

If you find our reviews helpful and want to support our work, here’s how:

• Use Our Links: When buying products we’ve reviewed, using our affiliate links helps at no cost to you
• Share Our Content: Share our reviews with fellow anglers
• Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Stay updated on new reviews and guides
• Provide Feedback: Let us know what products you’d like us to review

Remember: Using our affiliate links is optional. Whether you use our links or not, our reviews remain free and accessible to everyone.

12. Price Accuracy

Important Notice: Prices and availability mentioned in our reviews are accurate at the time of publication but may change. We update our content regularly, but prices can fluctuate daily. Always check the current price on the retailer’s website before purchasing.

13. Questions or Concerns?

We believe in complete transparency. If you have questions about our affiliate relationships, editorial policies, or specific recommendations, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

14. Changes to This Disclosure

We may update this Affiliate Disclosure from time to time to reflect changes in our partnerships or practices. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.

Thank you for supporting SpinningPole and for trusting our recommendations. Your readership makes our work possible!