Editorial independence
We score products before we know whether they have an affiliate program. Rankings are locked before a single buy link is added. This page explains exactly how that works.
The short version
We score products first and add affiliate links second. Rankings are final before we know whether a product even has an affiliate program. The research side never sees commission rates, and the commerce side cannot change a score. It is a structural firewall built into how the code works, checked by an automated test on every release.
How the firewall works
Rankings are locked before monetization begins. The research side and the commerce side operate separately. Here is the exact sequence.
Gather evidence from multiple sources
Apply methodology, calculate scores
Rankings are final. No changes after this point.
Affiliate links added to locked rankings
Content goes live with full disclosure
What we never do
- Accept paid placements or sponsored rankings
- Let affiliate rates influence scores
- Guarantee coverage for any brand
- Change rankings after monetization
What we always do
- Disclose affiliate relationships clearly
- Recommend products without affiliate programs
- Update scores when new evidence emerges
- Maintain full audit trails for every score
How R3 makes money
We'll be direct: R3 earns affiliate commissions when you purchase products through our links. This is how we fund the research without charging you for every article.
The part that matters: whether R3 earns $2 or $20 from a sale has zero impact on the recommendation. Products are ranked by the method, not by commission rates. We regularly put products with no affiliate program at the top, because the job is to find what is best for your family, not what is most profitable for R3.
For the full disclosure, see the affiliate disclosure page.
How you can verify this
We don't expect you to just take our word for it. Here's how you can check:
- Look at our top picks in any category. You will often find products without affiliate programs ranked above products that have them.
- Check the score breakdown on any product page. Every number links back to its evidence.
- Read the cons we list. We call out problems with popular products, even ones we recommend.
- Compare our method to other review sites. Most don't publish theirs at all.
Common questions
Do brands pay you to be featured?
No. R3 doesn't accept sponsored content, paid placements, or guaranteed coverage. Every product earns its spot through the method, or it doesn't make the list.
What if a brand sends you free products?
We don't accept free products in exchange for reviews. If we need to evaluate a product firsthand, we buy it ourselves or clearly disclose any samples received. The score stays the same either way.
Why should I trust this over other review sites?
Most review sites don't publish their method. They just give you a list and say "trust us." We publish exactly how we score, where our data comes from, and the evidence behind every recommendation. You can check our work.
See the methodology in action
Pick any product and trace the score back to its evidence.
Browse products