Last updated: May 11, 2026
RackNotes is committed to transparency about how the Site is monetized. This page explains the current state of affiliate relationships and how they would affect content if added in the future.
Current state of monetization
As of the date above, RackNotes does not have any active affiliate relationships. No articles on this Site currently contain affiliate links, and no commission is earned from any product mentioned in current content.
This may change in the future. When it does, this page will be updated to list specific programs in use, and any article containing affiliate links will include an inline disclosure at the top.
What is an affiliate link?
An affiliate link is a special URL that tracks clicks and purchases originating from this Site. If a reader clicks an affiliate link and makes a purchase, the Site may earn a commission from the merchant — at no additional cost to the reader. The price paid is the same whether the affiliate link is used or the merchant is reached directly.
How affiliate income would affect content
When affiliate relationships are added in the future, the following principles will apply:
- No recommendations for products we don’t believe in. Affiliate commission will not influence whether a product is mentioned positively. If a product is bad, RackNotes will say so — even if there’s a commission attached.
- Affiliate relationships will be disclosed. When an article contains affiliate links, this will be mentioned in the article itself, not just on this page.
- Editorial content will remain independent. Reviews, comparisons, and recommendations are based on technical analysis, hands-on testing where applicable, and honest assessment — not on which vendor pays the highest commission.
- Negative experiences will be disclosed. Even with brands RackNotes may have affiliate relationships with, criticism will be published when warranted.
Programs that may be added
RackNotes may participate in affiliate programs from various services in the future, including but not limited to:
- Cloud and infrastructure providers: DigitalOcean, Linode (Akamai), Vultr, Hetzner
- Networking and security: Cloudflare, NordLayer
- Backup and storage: Backblaze, Wasabi
- Hardware retailers: Amazon Associates Program (when registered)
- Software and SaaS: Various enterprise IT vendors as relationships are established
This list is indicative, not committed. Specific programs will only be listed as active once relationships are actually established. This page will be updated accordingly.
How affiliate links will be identified
When affiliate links are added, they will be marked with notations like “(affiliate link)” or appear in clearly designated comparison or recommendation sections. Affiliate articles will include an inline disclosure block at the top of the article.
Readers will also be able to check the URL — many affiliate links contain identifiers like ?ref=, ?aff=, or specific tracking parameters. Readers who prefer not to use affiliate links can navigate directly to the vendor’s website and search for the product there.
Sponsored content
RackNotes does not currently publish sponsored content. If sponsored content is ever published in the future (where a vendor pays for placement, as distinct from affiliate commission on sales), it will be clearly labeled as sponsored at the top of the article, not buried in a footer.
Why affiliate links may be used in the future
Running a technical blog has real costs: hosting, domain, software licenses, hardware for testing, and the time it takes to write and maintain content. Affiliate income, if introduced, would help offset those costs and keep the Site free for readers.
Affiliate income is the preferred model over paid subscriptions, paywalls, or intrusive advertising because it keeps all content freely accessible while being sustainable.
FTC compliance
This disclosure exists to comply with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” (16 CFR Part 255). Equivalent disclosure requirements in other jurisdictions are also intended to be met by this Page and the in-article disclosures that will be used when affiliate content is published.
Questions
For questions about monetization practices, content objectivity, or whether a specific link is an affiliate link (when such links exist), please contact us. Transparency is the whole point of this page.
Changes to this disclosure
This disclosure will be updated as affiliate relationships are added or removed. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. When the first affiliate relationship becomes active, this page will be updated within 7 days of the change taking effect.