The short version: StackIQ earns affiliate commissions when you click our links and buy a product. This never changes our scores or recommendations. We have given low scores to high-commission tools and high scores to tools with no affiliate program. Our reputation is worth more than any commission.
What Is an Affiliate Link?
An affiliate link is a special URL that includes a tracking code. When you click one of our affiliate links and make a purchase, the company pays us a commission — typically between 20% and 50% of the sale price. This comes at no extra cost to you; the price you pay is identical whether you use our link or go directly to the company's website.
Affiliate links on StackIQ are marked with rel="nofollow sponsored" in the HTML, in accordance with Google's guidelines.
Which Tools Have Affiliate Programs?
We currently participate in affiliate programs for the following tools reviewed on StackIQ:
Tools without affiliate programs are reviewed with the same rigor and objectivity as tools with programs. The absence of a commission never lowers a tool's score, and the presence of a commission never raises it.
Audience IQ — Our Own Product
One tool reviewed on StackIQ is ours: Audience IQ. We built it, and we obviously have a financial interest in its success. We disclose this prominently on every page where it appears.
We have reviewed Audience IQ using the same IQ Score rubric as every other tool on this site. We believe its score of 9.4 is accurate and defensible — but we also acknowledge that our objectivity here is inherently limited, and you should weigh that accordingly.
Audience IQ is marked with a "★ Staff Pick" badge throughout the site. This badge indicates both our genuine recommendation and our ownership interest.
Sponsored Content
StackIQ does not currently accept paid placements, sponsored reviews, or payment in exchange for positive coverage. All reviews are editorially independent. If this policy changes, we will disclose it clearly on any sponsored content.
FTC Compliance
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255), StackIQ discloses material connections to products and services reviewed on this site. Our affiliate relationships constitute material connections under these guidelines.
Questions?
If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or review process, please contact us. We're happy to discuss it.