Advertising Disclosure

Equipment Supplier Partnerships

Hearthforge maintains business relationships with various equipment manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. These relationships may include:

• Authorized Dealer Agreements: We serve as authorized dealers or representatives for certain kitchen equipment brands. These agreements may provide us with preferential pricing, commission structures, or volume-based incentives.
• Supplier Commission Arrangements: When we source equipment from manufacturers or distributors, we may receive commissions or margins as part of standard industry practices. These arrangements vary by supplier and product category.
• Volume Incentives: Some suppliers offer tiered pricing or performance bonuses based on purchase volumes or sales achievements. We may benefit from such programs when serving multiple customers.
• Promotional Support: Equipment manufacturers sometimes provide marketing support, product samples, or training resources that help us better serve our customers.

How Compensation Affects Recommendations

While we have various supplier relationships, our equipment recommendations are guided by:

• Customer requirements and budget constraints
• Equipment quality, reliability, and warranty terms
• Suitability for intended use and kitchen conditions
• Long-term value and maintenance considerations
• Availability and delivery timelines

Commission structures are one factor among many in our business operations. We maintain relationships with multiple suppliers across various price points and quality levels to serve diverse customer needs.

Disclosure of Material Connections

In accordance with consumer protection regulations and ethical business practices, we disclose material financial relationships. When we recommend specific equipment or suppliers, you can assume that we may receive compensation through standard commercial arrangements. We do not receive compensation that would compromise our ability to provide objective guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Content Sponsorship

Occasionally, we may feature sponsored content or paid promotions on our website or in our communications. This could include:

• Featured equipment listings highlighting specific products or brands
• Manufacturer-provided technical information or case studies
• Promotional announcements about new equipment releases or special offers
• Educational content developed in partnership with equipment suppliers

Identification of Sponsored Material

All sponsored content is clearly labeled as such using designations like "Sponsored," "Paid Promotion," "In Partnership With," or similar language. We maintain editorial control over how sponsored products are presented and ensure that promotional content meets our quality standards.

Editorial Independence

Sponsored content does not compromise our editorial independence or our commitment to providing honest assessments. We do not accept sponsorship arrangements that require us to misrepresent product capabilities, suppress negative information, or prioritize sponsored products over better alternatives for specific customer needs.

Brand Partnerships

We may develop ongoing partnerships with certain brands that align with our values and quality standards. These partnerships may involve regular communication, exclusive access to new products, or collaborative marketing efforts. Partnership status does not guarantee product recommendations, and we evaluate all equipment based on merit regardless of partnership arrangements.

Advertising Networks

Our website may display advertisements served through third-party advertising networks. These networks include:

• Google Ads: We participate in Google's advertising programs which may display relevant ads based on your browsing behavior and interests
• Contextual Advertising: Ads displayed based on the content of the pages you're viewing
• Retargeting Campaigns: Ads that follow your browsing across different websites after visiting ours

Behavioral Targeting and Data Collection

Third-party advertising networks may collect information about your browsing activities to deliver personalized advertisements. This data collection is governed by the privacy policies of the respective advertising networks. We use cookies and similar technologies to facilitate advertising delivery, as detailed in our Cookie Policy.

Advertiser Relationships

We do not control the content of third-party advertisements displayed on our website. The appearance of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the advertised product or service. We make reasonable efforts to work with reputable advertising networks and to exclude inappropriate content, but we cannot guarantee the relevance or quality of all advertisements.

Ad Revenue

Display advertising provides supplementary revenue that helps support our website operations and content development. Ad revenue is generated through impressions (views) and clicks on advertisements. This revenue model is separate from our primary business of kitchen equipment consultation and supply services.

Managing Advertisement Preferences

You have control over how advertisements are delivered to you:

• Cookie Controls: Use our Cookie Policy page to manage cookie preferences and limit advertising tracking
• Browser Settings: Configure your browser to block or limit cookies and tracking technologies
• Ad Blockers: Install browser extensions that prevent display advertising (though this may affect website functionality)
• Opt-Out Tools: Use industry opt-out tools like the Digital Advertising Alliance's consumer choice page

Google Ads Settings

If you see Google Ads on our site, you can manage ad personalization through your Google account settings or visit Google's ad settings page to control how your data is used for advertising purposes.

Data Collection for Advertising

Information collected for advertising purposes is subject to our Privacy Policy and the privacy policies of advertising networks. You have rights under data protection regulations to access, correct, or delete data collected about you. Contact us if you have questions about advertising data practices.

Advertising Complaints

If you encounter inappropriate, misleading, or offensive advertisements on our website, please contact us with details including the advertiser name and ad content. We take such reports seriously and will work with our advertising partners to address legitimate concerns.

Advertising Standards

Hearthforge adheres to applicable advertising regulations and industry standards. Our advertising practices comply with consumer protection laws and truth-in-advertising principles. We do not engage in deceptive advertising, false claims, or misleading representations.

FTC Guidelines

Where applicable, we follow guidelines established by regulatory bodies regarding disclosure of material connections and endorsements. This disclosure document is part of our commitment to transparency in accordance with consumer protection principles.

Review and Testimonial Authenticity

Any customer testimonials or reviews featured on our website represent genuine customer experiences. We do not fabricate reviews or testimonials. If incentives are provided for reviews, such arrangements are disclosed. Reviews remain honest and are not edited to remove negative feedback beyond removing personal information or inappropriate content.