1. What is an Affiliate Relationship?

Bean Ratio ("we" or "us") participates in affiliate marketing programs. This means we may earn a commission or other compensation when you click on links on our website and purchase products or services from our affiliate partners.

Important: You pay the same price whether you purchase through our affiliate link or directly from the retailer. The commission we receive does not increase the cost to you.

2. FTC Compliance Statement

In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides, we are disclosing that links on Bean Ratio may contain affiliate marketing relationships. We only recommend products we genuinely believe will benefit our readers.

3. Our Affiliate Programs

We participate in the following affiliate programs:

3.1 Amazon Associates

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. When you purchase coffee equipment, grinders, scales, or other products through our Amazon affiliate links, we earn a small commission.

"As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases."

3.2 Specialty Coffee Retailers

We may have affiliate relationships with specialty coffee retailers, equipment manufacturers, and coffee subscription services. These partnerships help us recommend quality equipment and beans that match our brewing guide recommendations.

Products we frequently recommend include:

Coffee grinders (Baratza, Comandante, Capresso, Virtuoso)
Brewing equipment (Chemex, AeroPress, French Press, pour over)
Coffee scales and timers
Specialty coffee beans and roasters
Water quality products for brewing

3.3 Other Programs

We may participate in other affiliate programs as appropriate. All affiliate relationships will be disclosed either on individual product pages or in our content.

4. How to Identify Affiliate Links

Look for these indicators that a link is an affiliate link:

"As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases" - indicates Amazon affiliate links
Specific product recommendations with links in blog posts or guides
Product comparison tables that include purchase links
Any page or section titled with "Recommended Products" or similar language

Note: We clearly indicate when a link is an affiliate link. Even when not explicitly marked, assume product recommendation links may be affiliate links.

5. Our Recommendation Process

Our recommendations are based on:

Personal experience: We test and use the equipment we recommend
Quality assessment: We prioritize product quality, durability, and value
User feedback: We consider reviews from other coffee enthusiasts
Alignment with guides: Recommendations match our brewing ratio and technique guides

Important: We only recommend products we genuinely believe will benefit our readers. Affiliation with a retailer does not guarantee the product will be recommended. We maintain editorial independence.

6. Commission Structure

We operate on a commission-based model. Commission rates vary by retailer:

Amazon Associates: Typically 4-5% commission on qualifying purchases
Specialty retailers: Commission rates vary (typically 5-15%)

These commissions help us:

Cover website hosting and operation costs
Purchase and test equipment for accurate reviews
Continue creating high-quality brewing guides and content
Keep our content free and ad-supported

7. Non-Affiliate Links

Not all links on Bean Ratio are affiliate links. For example:

Links to our own content pages (brewing guides, calculators, blogs)
Links to external educational resource sites
Links to industry organizations or government sites
Links to competitors without affiliate relationships

We may include non-affiliated competitor links if we believe they provide value to our readers, even without earning commission.

8. How This Affects You

Price: You pay the exact same amount whether you purchase through our link or directly from the retailer. Our commission doesn't add to your cost.

Privacy: When you click an affiliate link, the retailer may place a tracking cookie. This is standard practice and allows them to credit us for the referral. See the retailer's privacy policy for details.

Your Rights: You are never obligated to use our affiliate links. You can always search for products independently or visit retailers directly.

9. Transparency & Honesty

We are committed to:

Only recommending products we genuinely believe deliver value
Clearly disclosing affiliate relationships
Maintaining editorial integrity regardless of commission potential
Testing and using products before recommending them
Being upfront about commission structures and incentives

Our reputation depends on providing honest, accurate recommendations. Recommending products solely for commission would damage that trust and ultimately harm our readers.

10. Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or believe a recommendation is inappropriate, please contact us through our contact page.

11. Changes to This Disclosure

We may update our affiliate programs and partnerships over time. This disclosure will be updated accordingly, with the "Last Updated" date reflecting any changes.

Affiliate Disclosure