Affiliate Disclosure

Affiliate Program Participation and Disclosure

Effective Date: July 23, 2025
Last Updated: July 23, 2025

We Dig Skulls participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn commissions when you click on certain links and make purchases. This disclosure explains our affiliate relationships, how they work, and how they may affect your experience on our website and blog.

What Are Affiliate Programs?

How Affiliate Marketing Works

Affiliate marketing is a performance-based advertising arrangement where:

  • We recommend products or services we believe align with our audience’s interests
  • We receive a small commission if you make a purchase through our special links
  • You pay the same price whether you use our link or go directly to the retailer
  • The retailer pays us a percentage of the sale as a referral fee

Why We Participate in Affiliate Programs

  • Quality Recommendations: We only promote products we genuinely believe complement the skull and skeleton aesthetic
  • Content Funding: Affiliate earnings help us create more valuable blog content and maintain our website
  • Cultural Education: Revenue supports our educational content about cultural significance and design history
  • Business Sustainability: Helps fund our operations while keeping our own product prices fair

Our Affiliate Program Partnerships

Amazon Associates Program

We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

What This Means:

  • Some links to Amazon products on our blog earn us small commissions
  • You’ll see “Amazon Associate” or similar disclosures near these links
  • Prices remain the same whether you use our links or shop directly
  • We only recommend Amazon products that align with our brand values

Other Affiliate Partnerships

We may also participate in affiliate programs with:

  • Alternative Fashion Retailers: Brands that complement skull and skeleton aesthetics
  • Cultural and Educational Products: Books, art, and educational materials about cultural traditions
  • Home Decor and Accessories: Items that align with alternative and gothic design preferences
  • Art and Craft Supplies: Materials for DIY projects and creative endeavors
  • Music and Entertainment: Content related to metal, alternative, and cultural music

How We Choose Affiliate Partners

Our Selection Criteria:

  • Products must align with our brand values and aesthetic
  • Companies must respect cultural traditions and appropriate representation
  • Quality standards that meet our expectations for our audience
  • Fair pricing and good customer service reputation
  • Positive reviews and customer satisfaction records

Types of Affiliate Content

Blog Post Recommendations

Product Reviews and Recommendations:

  • Honest reviews of products we’ve personally tested or researched
  • Seasonal gift guides featuring skull and skeleton-themed items
  • Home decor recommendations for alternative lifestyle enthusiasts
  • Book recommendations about cultural traditions and art history
  • Music and entertainment suggestions that align with our community’s interests

Educational Content with Product Integration:

  • Articles about Día de los Muertos traditions with relevant product suggestions
  • Historical pieces about skull symbolism with related books and resources
  • Style guides incorporating affiliate products naturally within the content
  • DIY tutorials that may include affiliate links to supplies and materials

Social Media Affiliate Content

Instagram and Facebook Posts:

  • Occasional product features with clear affiliate disclosures
  • Story highlights with product recommendations
  • User-generated content featuring affiliate products
  • Educational posts with related product suggestions

Community Engagement:

  • Responding to customer questions with helpful product recommendations
  • Sharing seasonal content with relevant affiliate products
  • Participating in cultural celebrations with appropriate product features

Disclosure and Transparency

How We Identify Affiliate Content

Clear Disclosures Include:

  • “This post contains affiliate links” at the beginning of blog posts
  • “#affiliate” hashtags on social media posts
  • “Amazon Associate” disclosures near Amazon links
  • “We may earn a commission” language where appropriate
  • Visual indicators like asterisks (*) next to affiliate links

FTC Compliance

We comply with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines by:

  • Clear and Conspicuous Disclosures: Affiliate relationships are clearly stated
  • Honest Recommendations: We only recommend products we genuinely believe in
  • Prominent Placement: Disclosures appear before affiliate links
  • Plain Language: Easy-to-understand disclosure language
  • Consistent Application: All affiliate content includes appropriate disclosures

Our Commitment to Honesty

What You Can Expect:

  • Honest opinions about products, including both positives and negatives
  • Clear distinction between our own products and affiliate recommendations
  • No hidden affiliate relationships or undisclosed partnerships
  • Transparent communication about why we recommend specific products
  • Authentic reviews based on real experience or thorough research

How Affiliate Relationships Affect You

Your Shopping Experience

No Additional Cost to You:

  • Affiliate links don’t increase your purchase price
  • You receive the same customer service from retailers
  • Return policies and warranties remain unchanged
  • Product quality and shipping are handled by the retailer

Potential Benefits:

  • Curated recommendations from experts in skull and skeleton aesthetics
  • Educational context about cultural significance of products
  • Time-saving product research and comparison
  • Access to seasonal deals and promotions we discover

Privacy and Data Protection

Information Collection:

  • Affiliate programs may track clicks and purchases through cookies
  • We don’t receive your personal purchase information
  • Retailers handle all payment and personal data
  • Our privacy policy covers how we handle any data we do collect

Cookie Usage:

  • Affiliate tracking cookies help attribute sales to our referrals
  • These cookies typically expire within 24-90 days
  • You can disable cookies in your browser settings if preferred
  • Disabling cookies doesn’t affect your ability to purchase products

Our Editorial Standards

Content Independence

Editorial Integrity:

  • Affiliate relationships don’t influence our editorial opinions
  • We maintain independence in all product recommendations
  • Negative reviews are published when products don’t meet standards
  • Cultural sensitivity remains our top priority regardless of affiliate potential

Quality Control:

  • All recommended products undergo evaluation for quality and appropriateness
  • We test products when possible before recommending them
  • Customer feedback and reviews factor into our recommendations
  • Products that receive negative feedback may be removed from future content

Cultural Sensitivity in Affiliate Marketing

Our Cultural Standards:

  • Affiliate products must respect cultural traditions and significance
  • We avoid promoting items that appropriate or misrepresent cultural symbols
  • Educational context provided for culturally significant products
  • Consultation with cultural experts when appropriate

What We Won’t Promote:

  • Products that mock or misrepresent cultural traditions
  • Items of poor quality that don’t meet our standards
  • Companies with poor labor practices or ethical concerns
  • Products that contradict our values of cultural respect and authenticity

Financial Transparency

Commission Structure

How We Earn:

  • Small percentage of sales made through our affiliate links
  • Commissions typically range from 1-10% depending on the program
  • Some programs offer flat fees for specific actions
  • Earnings vary significantly based on content performance and audience engagement

Use of Affiliate Revenue:

  • Website maintenance and hosting costs
  • Content creation tools and resources
  • Cultural education and research
  • Community engagement and social media management
  • Business operations and customer service

No Hidden Costs or Markups

Transparent Pricing:

  • We never mark up prices for affiliate products
  • All pricing is controlled by the retailer, not by us
  • Promotions and discounts come from retailers, not hidden markups
  • You always pay the same price whether using our links or shopping directly

Your Rights and Choices

Opt-Out Options

If You Prefer Not to Use Affiliate Links:

  • Visit retailer websites directly instead of clicking our links
  • Use browser settings to block affiliate tracking cookies
  • Search for products independently using our recommendations as starting points
  • Contact retailers directly for customer service and support

Feedback and Questions

We Welcome Your Input:

  • Questions about specific affiliate relationships
  • Suggestions for products or brands to consider
  • Feedback about our recommendation quality and accuracy
  • Concerns about cultural sensitivity or appropriateness

Contact Information for Affiliate Questions

  • Email: support@wedigskulls.com
  • Subject Line: “Affiliate Program Question”
  • Response Time: Within 48 hours for affiliate-related inquiries

FTC Compliance Statement

This affiliate disclosure complies with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Material Connection Disclosure

We have a material connection to companies whose products we recommend through affiliate links. This means we receive compensation when you make purchases through these links.

Disclaimer of Liability

Important Notes:

  • We are not responsible for product quality, shipping, or customer service from affiliate partners
  • Return policies and warranties are handled by individual retailers
  • Product availability and pricing may change without notice
  • We make no guarantees about affiliate product performance or suitability

Amazon Associates Specific Disclosure

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

International Considerations

Global Affiliate Programs

As we expand internationally, we may participate in region-specific affiliate programs:

  • Amazon Associates programs in different countries
  • Local retailers and cultural product vendors
  • International shipping considerations for recommended products
  • Currency and payment method variations

Cultural Sensitivity Across Markets

International Standards:

  • Respect for local cultural traditions and sensitivities
  • Appropriate product recommendations for different markets
  • Compliance with local affiliate marketing regulations
  • Educational content adapted for regional cultural contexts

Updates and Changes

Policy Updates

This affiliate disclosure may be updated to reflect:

  • New affiliate program partnerships
  • Changes in FTC regulations or requirements
  • Expansion of our affiliate marketing activities
  • Feedback from our community and legal requirements

Notification of Changes

How We Communicate Updates:

  • Email notifications to newsletter subscribers
  • Blog post announcements for significant changes
  • Social media updates about new affiliate partnerships
  • Updated effective dates on this disclosure page

Questions About Our Affiliate Programs?

We believe in complete transparency about our affiliate relationships. If you have questions about our affiliate programs, specific partnerships, or how affiliate marketing affects your experience with We Dig Skulls, please contact us at support@wedigskulls.com.

Remember: Our goal is to provide valuable, culturally respectful content about skull and skeleton aesthetics while maintaining the highest standards of honesty and transparency in all our recommendations.