Affiliate disclosure

Last updated: 26 October 2026

This affiliate disclosure explains how CoolCuration makes money, how we use referral and affiliate links, and how we keep our editorial opinions independent from our commercial relationships. We believe in full transparency, so if you ever want to know why we recommend something, this page should answer that.

What are affiliate and referral links?

Affiliate links and referral links are special tracking URLs. When you click one and go on to sign up, buy something, or meet the partner's qualifying criteria, CoolCuration may earn a small commission or referral bonus. You pay nothing extra. Occasionally you also get a joining bonus, a discount, or a welcome perk for using our link instead of going direct.

Commission rates vary by partner. Some pay a flat referral fee, others pay a percentage of a sale, and some schemes pay both parties a joining bonus. We do not disclose individual rates, as they are usually covered by the commercial terms of the relevant network or scheme.

These links fund the site. They pay for hosting, research time, and hands-on testing where we do it.

How we choose what to feature

Some of what we cover on CoolCuration we've tested, used or experienced ourselves. The rest has been recommended to us by people we trust, or we've found it through our own research and think it's worth knowing about. Wherever possible, our reviews are based on hands-on experience, and where any review or page draws on first-hand use, we say so. The referral links we share for apps and services are for ones we use ourselves. Affiliate links to retailers can also appear on products we haven't used personally.

How we use affiliate links on CoolCuration

We keep things simple and consistent:

• Blog posts and gift guides can carry affiliate and referral links, including a referral button near the top of some posts and product prices that link to retailers.
• Detail pages and service guides are where most referral links live. These usually sit inside a summary box or a labelled call-to-action button, and can also appear as text links and linked prices within the copy.
• Reviews are opinion pieces. If a reviewed product includes a referral link, we disclose it within the review itself.

All referral and affiliate links are marked up with rel="nofollow sponsored" in the underlying HTML, in line with Google's current guidance on affiliate content. This approach, combined with this page and the disclosures on the pages that carry these links, is how we meet the Advertising Standards Authority's requirement that affiliate content be obviously identifiable.

Amazon Associates

CoolCuration is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Any link on CoolCuration that points to Amazon.co.uk, Audible, or another Amazon-owned domain is likely to be an affiliate link using our Associate tag.

How our referral and affiliate links work

We use a mix of direct brand referral schemes, public refer-a-friend links, and affiliate networks such as Awin and Impact, plus retailers' own affiliate programmes such as Bookshop.org's. Many are standard public schemes that any existing customer can share, which means we earn the same referral bonus any other customer would.

Brands don't pay for coverage or choose what we feature. They do not sponsor our content, and we do not represent them in any capacity. Where we earn, it's through public refer-a-friend schemes, or as a publisher in affiliate programmes that any site can apply to join. Our coverage is our own.

A plain link to a retailer can still earn us a commission, because some links become affiliate links automatically when clicked. Assume any link to a shop may be an affiliate link. We cover things we like, with or without a commercial angle.

Our own products

CoolCuration also sells a small number of its own products, such as notebooks and calendars, through Amazon. When we feature one of them, we make clear it's ours, and sales help fund the site.

Offer accuracy, availability and eligibility

Any offers, discounts, bonuses, or joining perks mentioned on the site are correct at the time of writing. These offers are set and controlled by the brands themselves, not by CoolCuration. Terms can change at any time without notice.

Eligibility criteria always apply and typically include things like being a UK resident, being 18 or over, being a new customer to that brand, or meeting specific qualifying activity (such as depositing a minimum amount, switching an account, or completing a transaction within a set time).

We cannot guarantee that a referral bonus or welcome offer will be paid. Payment depends entirely on the brand or network, their eligibility rules, and their anti-fraud checks. Always read the partner's own terms and conditions before signing up. If you do not receive an expected bonus, the first point of contact is the brand or network, not CoolCuration.

Third-party links and external sites

Our referral and affiliate links take you to websites operated by other companies. Once you leave CoolCuration, we have no control over the content, pricing, terms, privacy practices, or quality of service on those sites. We are not responsible for any transactions, agreements, or outcomes that take place between you and the third party.

We recommend reading the privacy policy and terms of service of any site you sign up with.

Tracking, cookies and data

Affiliate and referral links typically rely on cookies or similar tracking technology so the partner can attribute a referral back to us. When you click an affiliate link, limited data such as the referring URL and a tracking identifier may be shared with the partner or their affiliate network.

We do not receive your personal data from these clicks. The partner or network handles that data under their own privacy policy. For more detail on how we handle data and cookies on CoolCuration, see our privacy policy and cookie policy.

Editorial independence

Our commercial relationships do not buy positive coverage. We write about products and services we've used, researched, or have genuine interest in. Reviews use our Cool Factor rating system and we score honestly, even when we stand to earn a commission. A low score is a low score, regardless of whether there's a referral link attached.

We follow the UK CAP Code on recognising advertising and affiliate content, as well as guidance from the Advertising Standards Authority.

A note on financial content

Some of our content covers personal finance topics such as mortgages, savings, investing, and banking. Where we write about financial products we use ourselves, we say so. Comparison guides also cover providers we haven't used, based on their published terms. It is not financial advice, and it is not a recommendation. We are not regulated advisers. If you are making a financial decision that matters, speak to an independent financial adviser regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our full finance disclaimers appear on the relevant posts and service guides.

Trademarks and brand names

Brand names, product names, logos, and trademarks mentioned on CoolCuration remain the property of their respective owners. We mention them for identification and editorial purposes only. No endorsement, partnership, or commercial association with those owners is implied beyond the affiliate and referral links described on this page.

How to identify affiliate links on CoolCuration

You can spot affiliate and referral links in a few ways:

• They usually sit inside a summary box or a black call-to-action button, or appear as a linked product name or price.
• Any link to a shop may be an affiliate link, even if it looks like a plain link.
• They typically open in a new tab.
• Hovering over the link often shows the partner's domain.
• Reviews that contain referral links say so near the top of the post.

Changes to this disclosure

We may update this page from time to time as our partnerships, tools, or legal obligations change. The date at the top of the page shows when it was last updated. Material changes will always be reflected here.

Complaints and concerns

If you have a question about a specific link, a partnership, or how we've disclosed something, get in touch via our contact page. We'll happily clarify.

If you feel an affiliate or advertising disclosure on CoolCuration falls short of UK standards, you can also raise a complaint directly with the Advertising Standards Authority.

We'd rather lose a click than mislead a reader. This site only works if you trust what you read here.

We are proud supporters of a safer more private internet via encouraging people to use Brave browser and are actively taking on Spammers as part of ProjectHoneypot. This site is hosted on servers that run on 100% renewable energy in the UK thanks to GreenWebHosting.

This site contains affiliate links, including to Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service via these links, at no extra cost to you. All offers and promotions are accurate at the time of publication but are subject to change or withdrawal by the businesses featured. We cannot guarantee their continued availability. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Reviews and opinions on CoolCuration reflect the personal experience of our writers at the time of publication. They are not professional endorsements and your experience may differ. Scores use our Cool Factor rating system and are given independently of any commercial relationship.

All content on CoolCuration is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations or an endorsement of any product or service. We are not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not offer personalised financial guidance. You should always do your own research or consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.

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