Affiliate disclosure

Last updated: 21 April 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 the testing we do before we write about a product or service.

We only write about things we've used

Everything we cover on CoolCuration has been personally tested, used, or experienced by someone on the team. We don't publish reviews, service guides, or recommendations for products we haven't got hands-on with. If we share a referral link to an app, service, or retailer, it's because we use it ourselves.

How we use affiliate links on CoolCuration

We keep things simple and consistent:

• Blog posts generally don't carry referral links in the body. They exist to inform and funnel readers to our detail pages where appropriate.
• Detail pages and service guides are where most referral links live. These are clearly marked and sit inside a summary box or a labelled call-to-action button.
• 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 summary boxes and clearly labelled buttons, 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 Rakuten Advertising. Many are standard public schemes that any existing customer can share, which means we earn the same referral bonus any other customer would.

The brands and services we link to do not have a relationship with CoolCuration. They have not asked us to feature them, they do not sponsor our content, and we do not represent them in any capacity. We are simply customers passing on a referral, or a publisher participating in networks that any site can apply to join. Our coverage is our own.

If a post on CoolCuration mentions a product or service without a clearly labelled referral link or button, that usually means we have no affiliate relationship with that brand at all. We cover things we like, with or without a commercial angle.

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. Anything we write about financial products reflects our own personal experience using them. 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 what is explicitly disclosed in the relevant post.

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.
• 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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