Advertising Disclosure — vaeyc
Quick answer: This advertising disclosure explains how vaeyc labels paid placements, handles affiliate links and keeps commercial arrangements separate from independent editorial. In short: everything paid is clearly marked, our coverage is never for sale, and we follow the FTC endorsement guidelines so you always know what you’re reading.
Key takeaways
- Everything paid is labelled — advertising, sponsored content and press releases.
- Editorial is independent and never influenced by commercial spend.
- Affiliate links are disclosed where used.
- No disguised links: we don’t sell undisclosed or disguised paid links.
- Standards: we follow the FTC endorsement guidelines.
Why this disclosure exists
Readers have a right to know when content is paid for and when it isn’t. This page sets out our practices clearly so you can trust that anything commercial on vaeyc is obvious, and anything editorial is genuinely our own. Transparency isn’t a formality for us — it’s the basis of the relationship we have with the educators who read us.
How we label advertising
Display and newsletter advertising is presented so it’s visually distinct from our editorial content. You should never be in doubt about whether you’re looking at an advertisement or at our reporting. If a placement is paid for by a third party, it is identified as advertising. Learn more on our advertise page.
How we label sponsored content
Sponsored articles carry a clear, prominent sponsored label at the top, so it’s plain that a brand has paid for and shaped the piece. Sponsored content is never disguised as independent reporting. See sponsored content for how these are produced and labelled.
How we label press releases
Press releases are published as company-supplied announcements and marked as such. They reflect the issuing organisation’s own words, reviewed by us for accuracy and suitability but clearly distinct from our editorial. See press release for details.
Affiliate and referral links
- Where we use affiliate or referral links, we disclose it.
- Affiliate links never determine our recommendations or verdicts.
- We only recommend what we can stand behind for our readers.
- Earning a referral fee never changes an honest assessment.
What we don’t do
We don’t sell undisclosed or disguised paid links, we don’t accept payment for independent editorial coverage, and we don’t publish paid material dressed up as reporting. We also decline misleading claims, particularly anything overstating outcomes for children. These lines are firm because they’re what make our disclosure meaningful.
Our commitment to the FTC guidelines
Our approach follows the principles in the FTC endorsement guidelines: disclosures should be clear, prominent and hard to miss. We apply that standard to advertising, sponsored content, press releases and affiliate links alike, and we review our practices as those standards evolve.
Questions or concerns
If anything on vaeyc isn’t clearly labelled or you have a question about a commercial arrangement, tell us. You can reach us through the contact page or at partners@vaeyc.org, and we’ll put it right. For the bigger picture, see how we make money.
About vaeyc
vaeyc is an independent early-childhood education, professional learning and EdTech publication produced by a named editorial team working to published standards. You can learn who we are on our about us page and reach the partnerships desk through our contact page or at partners@vaeyc.org. Every commercial placement on vaeyc is labelled, and our independent editorial coverage is never for sale.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell paid content from editorial on vaeyc?
Paid placements are clearly labelled — advertising is visually distinct, sponsored content carries a sponsored label, and press releases are marked company-supplied.
Do you use affiliate links?
Where we do, we disclose it, and they never influence our recommendations.
Can companies pay for a good review?
No. Editorial verdicts are independent and never for sale.
Do you sell backlinks or paid links?
No. We don’t sell undisclosed or disguised paid links in any form.
What standards do you follow?
We follow the FTC endorsement guidelines on clear, prominent disclosure.
Who do I contact about a disclosure question?
Reach us via the contact page or partners@vaeyc.org and we’ll respond.
Where can I learn how you’re funded?
See how we make money for a full explanation of our revenue and safeguards.