The Short Version
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and buy something, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating free beekeeping content. We only recommend products we actually believe in — our integrity matters more than any commission check.
Full Disclosure
HowToRaiseBees.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
We may also participate in affiliate programs with other beekeeping suppliers, including but not limited to:
- Mann Lake Ltd.
- Betterbee
- Dadant & Sons
- Bee Built
- Flow Hive
When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (typically 5-10% depending on the program). This comes out of the retailer's margin — it does not increase the price you pay.
What This Means for You
You pay the same price
Whether you click our link or go directly to the retailer, the price is identical.
We recommend what we believe in
We don't recommend products just because they have the highest commission. We recommend what we'd actually buy ourselves.
We disclose affiliate links
Pages with affiliate links include a note at the top. This page exists to be fully transparent.
You support free content
Affiliate revenue helps us spend time researching and writing guides instead of filling the site with annoying ads.
Our Promise to You
We take our recommendations seriously. Here's what we commit to:
- Honest opinions first. If a product is bad, we'll say so — even if it means losing a potential commission.
- No pay-for-play. Companies cannot pay to be featured or to receive a better rating. Our reviews are based on research, testing, and community feedback.
- We call out the downsides. Every product has trade-offs. We tell you the cons alongside the pros so you can make informed decisions.
- Budget options included. We don't only recommend the most expensive gear. Many of our guides include budget-friendly alternatives.
- We buy what we recommend. If we wouldn't put it in our own apiary, we won't tell you to put it in yours.
Why We Use Affiliate Links
Running a content site takes time and money. Research, writing, web hosting, design — it all adds up. We considered a few ways to cover these costs:
- Display ads: Those annoying banners that slow down your browser and track you across the internet. We'd rather not.
- Sponsored content: Articles paid for by brands. This creates obvious conflicts of interest.
- Paywalls: Charging you to read our guides. But we want this information to be accessible to everyone.
- Affiliate links: You buy products you were already considering, we get a small cut, and you pay the same price either way.
Affiliate marketing isn't perfect, but we believe it's the best balance between keeping content free and maintaining our editorial independence.
FTC Compliance
In accordance with FTC guidelines, we disclose our material connections with retailers and suppliers. This disclosure page, along with notes on individual articles containing affiliate links, constitutes our good-faith effort at full transparency.
If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or how we choose which products to recommend, feel free to contact us.
Questions?
We're happy to answer any questions about our affiliate relationships or how we make money. Transparency matters to us. Reach out anytime at hello@howtoraisebees.com.
Last updated: December 2024