Transparency about how we earn money and why it never compromises our reviews.
Full Transparency: StackHK earns revenue through affiliate partnerships. This page explains exactly how that works, why it never affects our reviews, and what it means for you as a reader.
An affiliate link is a special URL that contains a unique tracking code assigned to us as a publisher. When you click on one of these links and make a purchase or sign up for a service, the company knows that we referred you, and we may earn a commission from that transaction.
Here's the important part: affiliate links do not cost you anything extra. The price you pay for a product or service is the same whether you use our affiliate link or go directly to the vendor's website. The commission comes from the vendor's marketing budget — not from your pocket.
Affiliate links are a standard practice in online media and are used by major publications, review sites, and content creators worldwide.
StackHK participates in several affiliate marketing programs, including but not limited to:
We are selective about our affiliate partnerships. We only partner with tools and services that we have genuinely tested and would recommend based on merit. We decline affiliate offers from tools that do not meet our quality standards.
The process is straightforward:
The commission we receive varies by program and product. Some programs pay a one-time commission, while others pay recurring commissions for as long as you remain a subscriber. Commission rates are set by the vendors, not by us.
Our Core Principle
Affiliate commissions NEVER influence our reviews, ratings, rankings, or editorial recommendations. Our loyalty is to our readers, not to any tool vendor or affiliate partner.
This is not just a policy — it is the foundation of our publication. Here is what editorial independence means in practice:
Every AI tool that appears on StackHK goes through a rigorous review process designed to ensure accuracy, fairness, and independence:
Minimum 2 Weeks of Testing
We spend at least two full weeks using each tool for real-world work tasks before publishing a review. This is not a quick hands-on or first-impression piece — it is sustained, practical experience with the tool in daily use.
Structured Scoring System
Our scores are based on five standardized dimensions, each rated on a scale of 1 to 10:
Real-World Task Testing
We test tools with actual work scenarios — writing blog posts, coding projects, analyzing data, creating images, managing workflows — not synthetic benchmarks or scripted demos.
Regular Updates
AI tools evolve rapidly. We update our reviews when significant changes occur and revisit top picks on a quarterly basis to ensure our recommendations remain current.
We never accept payment for positive reviews. No amount of money can buy a favorable review, a higher ranking, or a recommendation on StackHK.
This policy applies universally:
Occasionally, we publish clearly labeled sponsored content. This content is always identified as "Sponsored" or "Paid Partnership" and is distinct from our independent editorial reviews. Sponsored content never influences our review scores or editorial opinions.
We believe in full transparency. Here is how you can identify affiliate links on our Site:
If you are ever unsure whether a specific link is an affiliate link, you can assume that any link leading to a tool vendor's website may be an affiliate link.
Affiliate revenue allows us to keep our content free and maintain our editorial independence. Here is why affiliate links are important to our mission:
Our alternative would be to charge readers for access or to accept payment from vendors for reviews — both of which would compromise our mission. Affiliate links allow us to serve our readers while sustaining our operations.
Our Promise to Readers
Our reputation is our most valuable asset. We understand that the trust of our readers is earned through consistent honesty and transparency, and we are committed to maintaining that trust in every piece of content we publish.
StackHK is a verified partner on the PartnerStack platform, one of the leading affiliate management platforms for B2B SaaS companies. As a verified PartnerStack partner:
Our verified PartnerStack partnership status reflects our commitment to operating as a transparent, compliant, and trustworthy affiliate publisher.
If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships, this disclosure, or how we make money, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to full transparency and are happy to discuss any aspect of our business model with you.