Advertising Disclosure
Last updated: December 15, 2025
At Velvet Grounds, we believe in complete transparency regarding our advertising relationships and revenue sources. This Advertising Disclosure explains how we may earn revenue through various advertising and partnership arrangements, and how this might influence the content you see on our website.
We are committed to maintaining editorial independence and ensuring that all recommendations reflect our genuine assessment of quality and value. Our primary goal remains connecting coffee enthusiasts with exceptional experiences, regardless of commercial relationships.
Affiliate Relationships
Affiliate Programs Participation
Velvet Grounds participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn commissions when you make purchases through links on our website. These programs include:
- Coffee equipment and accessories affiliate programs
- Specialty coffee retailer partnerships
- Related product and service affiliate networks
- Event and experience booking platforms
When you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our operations and allows us to continue providing quality content and services.
Commission-Based Link Explanations
Not all links on our website generate affiliate revenue. We clearly distinguish between:
- Affiliate Links: Links that may generate commissions when purchases are made
- Regular Links: Standard links to resources we recommend without financial compensation
- Sponsored Links: Links that are part of paid advertising arrangements
Where applicable, we provide disclosure near affiliate links or in the context of product discussions to ensure transparency.
Product Recommendation Policies
Our product recommendations are based on thorough evaluation, personal experience, and consideration of user needs. The existence of an affiliate relationship does not influence whether we recommend a product. We only endorse products and services that we believe offer genuine value to our audience.
Financial Relationship Transparency
We maintain editorial independence in all content creation. While we may earn commissions from affiliate relationships, these arrangements never compromise our commitment to honest recommendations. We disclose affiliate relationships clearly and ensure readers can make informed decisions.
Sponsored Content
Identification of Paid Content
From time to time, we may publish sponsored content created in partnership with brands, coffee producers, or service providers. All sponsored content is clearly labeled with disclosures such as:
- "Sponsored Post" or "Paid Partnership" labels at the beginning of articles
- "In Partnership With [Brand Name]" attributions
- Clear visual indicators distinguishing sponsored from editorial content
- Explicit statements about the commercial nature of the relationship
Sponsored Post Labeling Policies
We adhere to strict labeling practices for sponsored content in compliance with advertising regulations. Sponsored content includes articles, reviews, or features created in exchange for compensation, whether monetary or in-kind. All such content prominently displays sponsorship disclosure before or at the beginning of the content.
Brand Partnership Disclosures
When we enter into ongoing partnerships with brands, we disclose these relationships in relevant content. Long-term partnerships may involve multiple pieces of content, event collaborations, or product features. We maintain transparency about the nature and duration of such partnerships.
Content Authenticity Guarantees
Even when content is sponsored, we maintain editorial control and ensure that all information is accurate, balanced, and reflects our genuine perspective. Sponsors do not dictate content, and we reserve the right to decline partnerships that conflict with our values or audience interests.
Third-Party Advertising
Display Advertising Networks
We may use third-party advertising networks to display advertisements on our website. These networks may include:
- Google AdSense and Google Ad Manager
- Specialized advertising platforms relevant to our industry
- Native advertising networks that blend with our content design
These advertising partners may collect information about your visits to our website and other sites to provide advertisements about goods and services that may be of interest to you.
Behavioral Targeting Disclosure
Third-party advertising networks may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior to provide targeted advertisements. This practice, known as behavioral targeting or interest-based advertising, helps deliver more relevant ads based on your interests and browsing patterns.
Cookie Usage for Advertising
Advertising cookies may track your activity across multiple websites to build a profile of your interests. For detailed information about cookies and how to manage them, please refer to our Cookie Policy. You can adjust your cookie preferences at any time to limit advertising tracking.
Ad Personalization Practices
When personalized advertising is enabled, you may see ads tailored to your interests based on your browsing history and preferences. This helps ensure that advertising is more relevant and useful to you. You can opt out of personalized advertising through your cookie preferences or browser settings.
User Rights and Controls
Ad Preference Management Options
You have several options to control the advertisements you see:
- Adjust your cookie preferences on our website
- Modify advertising settings in your browser
- Use opt-out tools provided by advertising networks
- Install browser extensions that block or limit advertising
Opt-Out Procedures
To opt out of personalized advertising, you can visit industry opt-out pages such as the Digital Advertising Alliance's consumer choice page or the Network Advertising Initiative's opt-out tool. Please note that opting out does not eliminate all advertising; you will still see ads, but they may be less relevant to your interests.
Data Collection for Advertising
When you interact with advertisements on our website, advertisers may collect certain information such as your IP address, browser type, referring pages, and interaction data. This information is used to measure ad performance and deliver targeted advertising. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Rights Under Privacy Regulations
Depending on your location, you may have specific rights regarding advertising data collection and use under privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA. These rights may include accessing your data, requesting deletion, or objecting to certain processing activities. Contact us to exercise these rights.
Regulatory Compliance
Velvet Grounds complies with applicable advertising regulations, including:
- FTC Guidelines: We adhere to Federal Trade Commission guidelines requiring clear and conspicuous disclosure of material connections between advertisers and endorsers.
- Truth in Advertising: All claims in our advertising and content are truthful, substantiated, and not misleading.
- Endorsement Disclosure: When we receive compensation for endorsements or testimonials, we clearly disclose this relationship.
- Consumer Protection: We prioritize consumer interests and ensure that advertising does not exploit or deceive our audience.
We regularly review our advertising practices to ensure ongoing compliance with evolving regulations and industry best practices.
Editorial Independence
While we maintain various advertising relationships, our editorial content remains independent and unbiased. Our commitment to you includes:
- Honest reviews and recommendations based on merit
- Clear separation between editorial content and advertising
- Refusal of partnerships that compromise our integrity
- Transparent disclosure of all commercial relationships
- Prioritizing audience interests over advertiser preferences
We believe that trust is fundamental to our relationship with you, and we work diligently to maintain that trust through transparency and honest communication about our advertising practices.
Questions About Our Advertising Practices?
If you have questions about our advertising disclosure, specific partnerships, or how we handle advertising relationships, please contact us. We're committed to transparency and welcome your inquiries.
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