1. Plain-English summary
Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. If you click one of those links and make a purchase, Digital Trust Systems LLC may receive a small commission from the merchant — at no additional cost to you. We may also publish sponsored content from time to time, which is content for which we have been paid. Sponsored content is always clearly labeled. Editorial recommendations are made on the merits, regardless of whether a link is affiliated.
2. How we earn money
Digital Trust Systems LLC is an independent publisher. The income that supports our work comes from the following sources:
- Affiliate marketing partnerships, in which we earn a commission when a reader clicks a tracked link to a third-party product or service and completes a qualifying action, such as a purchase or a sign-up.
- Display and contextual advertising, served through reputable ad networks subject to industry self-regulatory standards.
- Sponsored content, in which a brand pays for an article, review, or placement. Sponsored content is clearly identified at the top of the relevant page or section.
- Direct partnerships and licensing of original Digital Trust Systems editorial content.
3. Our editorial independence
Compensation never determines what we recommend. Our editorial team makes coverage and recommendation decisions based on the value to readers, not the size of an affiliate commission. If we wouldn't recommend a product to our own family, we don't recommend it on this website — even when a more lucrative affiliate option is available.
Specifically:
- Advertisers and affiliate partners do not review or approve editorial content.
- We do not accept payment to write a positive review.
- Sponsored content is editorially separate from our independent reporting and is labeled accordingly.
- We routinely include products or services we believe in even when no affiliate program is available, and we exclude products we don't believe in regardless of payout.
4. FTC compliance and disclosures
We comply with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255), which require "clear and conspicuous" disclosure of material connections between a publisher and the brands it endorses. In practice, that means:
- Articles that contain affiliate links carry a disclosure near the top of the page, and a permanent link to this Earnings & Affiliate Disclaimer is included in the footer of every page on the Site.
- Sponsored content is labeled with the word "Sponsored," "Paid Partnership," or "Advertisement" at the top of the page, before any editorial copy.
- Where applicable, we disclose the name of the sponsoring brand and the nature of the relationship.
5. Specific affiliate program disclosures
Digital Trust Systems LLC participates in a number of affiliate networks and individual affiliate programs, which may include — without limitation — the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, ShareASale, Impact, CJ Affiliate, Awin, and Rakuten Advertising, as well as direct partnerships with select merchants.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The presence of an Amazon affiliate link does not imply a special relationship with Amazon or that any specific product has been endorsed by Amazon.
6. Earnings disclaimer (no income claims)
Where any article discusses earning, saving, or investing money — including building an emergency fund, side income, or budgeting — examples and figures are illustrative only and are not a guarantee of any specific outcome. Individual results vary based on circumstances, effort, market conditions, and many factors outside our control. We do not represent or guarantee that any reader will achieve any particular financial result from following information on this Site.
7. Pricing, availability, and offers
Prices, product specifications, availability, and promotional offers referenced on this Site reflect the information available at the time of writing or the most recent article update. They may change without notice. Always confirm current pricing and terms on the merchant's own website before making a purchase decision.
8. Your role
Because affiliate compensation exists in our industry, we encourage every reader to do their own research, compare products and prices, and consider their personal needs before making a purchase decision based on anything they read here.
9. Questions
If you have a question about a specific affiliate or sponsored relationship — or you believe a disclosure is missing where it should appear — please email legal@digitaltrustsystem.com. We take these concerns seriously and respond promptly.
10. Related policies
See also our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, and General Disclaimer.