Nature of Affiliate Relationships
This website, Squishmallows, participates 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 products on Amazon.com and affiliated websites. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through these affiliate links.
Our participation in this program means that when you click on certain links on our website that direct you to Amazon or other affiliated retailers, these clicks are tracked using special URLs that contain our unique affiliate identification codes.
How Affiliate Links Work
When you visit our website and click on product links, you will be redirected to Amazon.com or other affiliated retailer websites. These links contain tracking codes that identify you as having come from our website. If you subsequently make a purchase on that retailer’s website within a designated timeframe (typically 24 hours for Amazon, though this may vary), we may receive a commission from that sale.
The tracking is done through cookies or similar technologies placed on your device by Amazon or the affiliated retailer. These cookies do not collect personal information about you but simply record that you arrived at their site through our referral.
Commission Structure and Earnings
The commissions earned through the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate relationships vary depending on the product category and specific promotional terms. Commission rates typically range from 1% to 10% of the purchase price, excluding shipping and taxes.
It’s important to note that these commissions come at no additional cost to you as the consumer. The prices you see on Amazon or other retailer sites are the same whether you reach them through our affiliate links or directly.
Editorial Independence
While we do earn commissions from purchases made through affiliate links, we maintain editorial independence in our content creation process. Our product recommendations, reviews, and content about Squishmallows plush toys, collectibles, and related merchandise are based on research, consumer feedback, product popularity, and our assessment of what provides value to our audience.
We strive to provide accurate, helpful information about Squishmallows products regardless of affiliate relationships. Not all products mentioned or featured on our site have affiliate links, and we may recommend products even when no affiliate relationship exists if we believe they represent quality options for our readers.
Product Selection Criteria
Our selection of Squishmallows products to feature is guided by several factors:
- Product quality and consumer ratings
- Popularity within the Squishmallows collecting community
- Unique features or characteristics of specific Squishmallows squads or characters
- Availability through Amazon or other affiliated retailers
- Value proposition for collectors and enthusiasts
- Special editions, licensed collaborations (such as Disney or Pokemon Squishmallows), and limited releases
While affiliate earning potential may be considered in our content planning, it is not the primary driver of our product coverage decisions.
Disclosure Practices
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, we disclose our affiliate relationships prominently throughout our website. This disclosure is intended to maintain transparency with our audience about the commercial nature of certain links.
We believe in full transparency regarding these relationships and how they support the operation of this website. The commissions earned through affiliate programs help us maintain and improve the site, create new content, and continue providing valuable information about Squishmallows products to our audience.
Third-Party Retailers
While Amazon is our primary affiliate partner, we may also participate in other affiliate programs with retailers that sell Squishmallows products. These relationships operate under similar principles as described above, with commissions paid for qualifying purchases made through our referral links.
Our relationships with these retailers do not influence our coverage of Squishmallows products. We aim to direct our audience to legitimate, authorized sellers of authentic Squishmallows merchandise regardless of affiliate status.