Affiliate Disclosure

How Redline Garage Makes Money

Last updated: June 2026

Transparency matters to us, so here's the straight version: Redline Garage is reader-supported and earns revenue from several sources. These earnings keep the lights on, pay for the products we buy to test, and let us keep our guides free for everyone.

Affiliate Links

Many of the product links on this site are affiliate links. When you click one and make a purchase, we may earn a commission — at no additional cost to you. The price you pay is exactly the same. We participate in affiliate programs including, but not limited to, the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, as well as programs run by detailing brands, tool retailers and automotive marketplaces. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Advertising & Sponsored Content

We may display advertising and, occasionally, publish sponsored or paid placements. When content is sponsored, we label it clearly. Sponsorship never buys a good score: sponsored products are tested and rated on the same scale as everything else, and we'll happily tell you if a paying partner's product underperforms.

Free Products

From time to time, brands send us products to review at no charge. Receiving a free sample never guarantees a positive review and does not influence our scoring. Where a product was provided for free, we disclose it within that article. We also buy the majority of what we test with our own money precisely so that our coverage is never beholden to whoever is willing to mail us a sample.

How Commissions Work

An affiliate commission is paid by the retailer, not by you, and only when a purchase actually happens. It is typically a small percentage of the sale. We have no way of charging you more, and we never see your payment details — those stay between you and the store. Different programs pay different rates, but we deliberately do not rank or order our recommendations by commission. The best product for your needs is the one we put first, full stop.

Why We Use Affiliate Links

Running a testing-focused site costs real money — we buy most of the products we review, and that adds up fast. Affiliate commissions let us keep buying gear, keep our guides free, and stay independent of any single brand's marketing budget. When you shop through our links, the retailer pays us a small cut of a sale you were going to make anyway, and your price is exactly the same as it would be otherwise.

Our Commitment To You (And The FTC)

In line with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements, we disclose our affiliate and advertising relationships clearly and conspicuously. We label sponsored content, we tell you when a product was provided for free, and we never let any commercial relationship change a verdict. Our reviewers do not know which links convert best, and revenue data is kept separate from editorial decisions on purpose. If a product is bad, we'll tell you it's bad — even if we'd earn a commission on it. Questions about how any specific recommendation is monetised? Reach out through the contact page.