Affiliate Disclosure
Last updated: June 10, 2025
BestRunPicks (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is reader-supported. Some of the links on bestrunpicks.com are affiliate links, which means that—at no additional cost to you—we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. The details below explain how that works, why we use affiliate links, and how your trust remains our top priority.
1. What Is an Affiliate Link?
An affiliate link is a special URL that tells a retailer—most often Amazon—that you arrived from BestRunPicks. If you buy a product after clicking one of those links, the retailer credits us a small percentage of the sale as a referral fee. The price you pay does not change because of the link.
2. Programs We Participate In
| Retailer / Network | Program Name | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Amazon Services LLC Associates Program | The most common links on the site. Cookies track your visit for up to 24 hours; if you buy an eligible product, we may earn a commission. |
| (Future partners) | AvantLink, CJ, or similar | If we add other networks, we’ll update this page and clearly label those links as well. |
3. Editorial Independence
- No pay-to-play: Brands cannot buy placement on our “Best Picks” lists or positive language in reviews.
- No pre-approval: Companies do not preview, edit, or approve our content before it goes live.
- Product selection: We recommend an item only if we genuinely believe it helps a beginner runner—whether or not an affiliate link is available.
- Review samples: If a brand sends a pair of shoes for testing, we disclose that in the review and return or donate the product when possible.
4. Why We Use Affiliate Links
Running a website costs money—hosting, software, photography gear, and endless replacement shoelaces. Affiliate commissions are the simplest way to keep BestRunPicks free for readers while avoiding paywalls or intrusive ads. They allow us to:
- Maintain objectivity (commissions are spread across thousands of products, so no single shoe determines our income).
- Stay small and reader-focused (no investors pushing for pop-ups or clickbait).
- Publish more in-depth guides without charging subscription fees.
5. Compliance With U.S. Law & FTC Guidelines
We follow the Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” That means:
- Every page or post containing affiliate links includes a clear disclosure near the top.
- This standalone page provides the full details of our affiliate relationships.
- Disclosures are written in plain English, not buried in legal jargon or footnotes.
6. Your Choice, Your Control
- No obligation: Feel free to bypass our links and purchase directly from the retailer if you prefer.
- Cookie settings: You can disable or clear cookies in your browser to prevent affiliate tracking.
- Questions? Email us at support@bestrunpicks.com if you’d like more information about how a specific link works.
7. Changes to This Disclosure
We may update this page to reflect new affiliate partnerships or changes in existing programs. The “Last updated” date at the top will always show when the latest revision occurred.
Thanks for supporting BestRunPicks—every commission helps keep the site ad-light, jargon-free, and dedicated to helping new runners find the right pair of shoes. Now lace up and enjoy the miles ahead!