Editorial Standards
How StackBuilt selects tools, maintains editorial independence, and handles affiliate relationships.
Affiliate Disclosure
TL;DR
StackBuilt participates in affiliate programs for many of the tools we write about. When you click on an affiliate link and sign up for a tool, we may earn a commission — typically 15-30% of your subscription cost, often recurring for as long as you remain a customer.
This comes at no extra cost to you. The price you pay is the same whether you use our link or go directly to the vendor's website. The commission comes out of the vendor's pocket, not yours.
Affiliate relationships allow us to provide free, detailed content without relying on ads or paywalls. They also align our interests with yours: we only succeed if we recommend tools that you'll actually stick with long-term.
Tool Selection Criteria
Every tool recommended on StackBuilt must meet these three criteria:
I actually use or deeply test it
No recommendations based on reading other reviews or press releases. Every tool is either in my daily workflow or has been extensively tested in real projects.
It genuinely solves the problem
Not "it's popular" or "it has good marketing." The tool must actually solve a real problem better than alternatives, including non-AI solutions.
Affiliate program is secondary
Commission rates never influence recommendations. Some of our highest-recommended tools (like Claude) have no affiliate program at all.
Editorial Independence
StackBuilt has never accepted payment for coverage, sponsored posts, or "pay-to-play" placements. We don't do guest posts from vendors. We don't let affiliate managers edit our content.
We say no to money often. We regularly decline affiliate partnerships with tools that don't meet our standards, even when the commission is attractive. Our reputation is worth more than any single commission.
When we write negative reviews or point out tool limitations, we don't inform the vendor beforehand or soften criticism based on our relationship with them. Our loyalty is to readers, not to vendors.
What We Don't Do
- Write about tools we haven't personally tested
- Accept sponsored posts or paid placements
- Recommend tools based on commission rates alone
- Hide affiliate relationships or bury disclosures
- Promise specific results or income from using these tools
Questions?
If you have any questions about our standards, affiliate relationships, or want to report a concern, please reach out. We're committed to transparency in everything we do.
Last updated: February 2026