If you’ve been browsing blogs, social media, or YouTube lately, you might have come across posts mentioning affiliate links or affiliate disclosures. These little notes are there to let you know that the site or creator may earn a small payment if you click on certain links and end up making a purchase. This practice is guided by transparency rules, especially from groups like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States. The FTC spells out what content creators need to share so you aren’t kept in the dark about who’s making money and how.
Staying honest with my readers is important to me, so here’s the scoop. Some or all of the links you’ll see on pixelbrushstrokes.com are affiliate links. Whenever you use one of these links and end up buying something, I’ll receive a small commission from that sale. This doesn’t affect your purchase or cost you anything extra, but it does help support the work I do here. That small reward goes a long way in keeping this site up and running, covering everything from hosting fees to spending more time digging into new topics you care about. Plus, it helps me provide more content for free, so everyone benefits.
How Affiliate Links Work
When you click an affiliate link on pixelbrushstrokes.com, you’re redirected to another website, usually run by the retailer or the service provider. If you end up making a purchase during that visit, the retailer tracks the link back to this site and pays out a tiny percentage of your purchase for referring you. It’s a simple process that makes it easy for both you and the website to get what they want.
No matter what, prices aren’t affected by whether you go through an affiliate link or not. You get the same deal; the only difference is where the commission goes. In this case, that small commission helps keep this resource free for you. Think of it as a winwin situation. You shop as usual, and the site gets some support without any extra cost coming your way.
Transparency matters. That’s why I always make a point to mark affiliate links clearly, either right beside the link or at the start of the post. That way, you know what’s what as you read.
Types of Affiliate Programs I Use
I’m part of a few different affiliate programs. Here are the main ones I use:
1. Amazon Associates
This website participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. It’s set up for sites to earn ad fees by linking to Amazon products. If I mention an Amazon product and you purchase it, or even something else during that same visit, I get a small cut. These aren’t payperclick links. I only receive payment if a purchase is made after you click through.
Any Amazon link you see here likely has an affiliate code built in. If you spot a link that looks like amazon.com/… or has “astore.com/…”, you can bet it’s an affiliate link.
2. Other Product Affiliates
Besides Amazon, I sometimes share links to other products, courses, software, or bundles through other affiliate programs. Again, if you decide to buy something, I get a bit of the sale, but this never adds any cost for you. These aren’t payperclick links either. You only ever see links to things I genuinely believe are worth checking out or that I personally use and like.
Some of the programs I link to are wellknown, while others are more niche or industryspecific. I’m always on the lookout for quality and value—if I recommend something, it’s because I think it’s useful or meets a high standard. Your trust matters way more to me than any referral fee.
Sponsorships and Paid Content
I don’t post paid or sponsored content unless I call it out clearly at the beginning. When I write about a product or service, it’s because I really think it’s helpful or interesting. If any content has been sponsored, you’ll see a disclosure right up top so there’s never any confusion about what you’re reading or watching.
If you have any questions or want more details about affiliate links or sponsored posts, just reach out and ask. Your trust means a lot, and I always want you to feel confident about how this site runs. I appreciate your support—thank you for being part of this adventure.