1. Why this notice exists
United States Federal Trade Commission guidance (16 CFR Part 255) requires that any material connection between a reviewer and a seller be disclosed clearly and conspicuously. We take that seriously, which is why the disclosure appears in the footer of every page, at the top of every review page, and in full here.
2. What an affiliate link is
An affiliate link is an ordinary link to a retailer with a tracking code attached. If you follow it and make a purchase within the retailer's attribution window, the retailer's affiliate programme credits the sale to us and pays a percentage — typically between 3 % and 10 % of the order value. The price you pay is identical to the price you would pay arriving at that retailer any other way.
3. How we keep it separate from editorial
- Every scored tea is bought anonymously at full retail price, with our own money.
- Scores are calculated and the review is written before any affiliate link is placed on the page.
- A poor score does not remove the link, and a good commission rate does not raise a score. We publish negative reviews of products we could earn from.
- We do not accept payment for reviews, rankings, placement, priority, or removal of criticism.
- Free samples are accepted but are never given a numbered score. Where one appears in a round-up it is labelled “sample, unscored”.
- We do not allow any retailer or brand to see, review or approve content before publication.
4. Programmes we participate in
We participate in affiliate programmes operated by a small number of tea retailers and general marketplaces, including affiliate networks that administer those programmes on the retailers' behalf. Participation may change over time; the principles on this page do not.
5. What we earn, roughly
Affiliate commission is currently the only revenue this site produces. It covers hosting, the tea we buy for testing, and a modest part of the time spent writing. It has never been enough to make anyone rich, which is one reason it is easy to stay honest about it.
6. What data we receive
Affiliate networks report aggregate figures: number of clicks, number of orders, total commission. We are never told who you are, what your name is, or what else was in your basket. Any cookie set when you click an outbound link belongs to the retailer or its network and is governed by their policies, not ours. See our Cookie Policy.
7. If you would rather not use our links
That is entirely fine and it will not change what we publish. Search for the product name directly at the retailer, or copy the product name from the review into your browser. The reviews are free either way.
8. Questions
If anything here is unclear, or you believe a link is not properly disclosed, tell us: accounts@affiliate.alliceteaspot.com or 970-264-3946. We will fix a disclosure error the same day we hear about it.