How we make money. And what that does and doesn't shape.
Freshie Cheese participates in affiliate programs. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Here's exactly how that works, and where we draw the editorial lines.
The short version
We participate in affiliate programs with specialty cheese retailers, equipment vendors, and other relevant merchants. When a reader clicks an affiliate link on our site and purchases from that merchant, we earn a small commission — typically 3-10% of the sale, depending on the merchant.
This is the primary way Freshie Cheese funds its existence. Affiliate commissions, plus voluntary Ko-fi tips from readers, keep the site running and let us spend the time it takes to do this work properly.
The commission does not increase the price you pay. You pay exactly what you'd pay buying directly from the merchant; we earn a small commission paid by the merchant, not by you.
What this does shape
We are honest about how affiliate economics affect this site:
- Brand coverage prioritization. A brand that runs an affiliate program is more likely to get covered first than an equivalent brand that doesn't. Both will eventually get coverage if they're editorially worth covering, but the affiliate program shapes our publishing queue order.
- Direct product links. When we mention specific cheeses or equipment we'd recommend, we link to the affiliate merchant rather than a non-affiliate one if both stock the item.
- The existence of brand profile pages. If a brand has an affiliate program, we're more likely to give it a dedicated profile page rather than just a passing mention in a guide.
What this does NOT shape
We are equally honest about where we hold editorial lines:
- Editorial verdicts. We don't say a cheese is good when we don't think so — affiliate program or not.
- Coverage of market problems. If a brand engages in fraud, misleading marketing, or quality problems, we cover that honestly even if they have an affiliate program. The homepage flags 4 fault lines we cover honestly regardless of merchant relationships.
- Counter-positioning. Where we think a category is widely misrepresented (e.g. "ceremonial grade" claims that aren't, "Parmesan" that isn't Parmigiano-Reggiano), we'll flag the misrepresentation even when it cuts against affiliate revenue.
- Refusal to cover. If a brand or product isn't worth covering on its merits, no affiliate offer changes that.
Current affiliate relationships
Active affiliate programs we participate in:
This list is a placeholder. As Freshie Cheese applies to and joins affiliate programs (primarily through CJ Affiliate, Awin, Amazon Associates, and direct merchant relationships), this list will be updated. Programs being applied to include:
- Murray's Cheese (NYC monger) — via CJ Affiliate (application pending)
- Saxelby Cheesemongers (NYC monger) — direct affiliate program (application pending)
- iGourmet — via CJ Affiliate (application pending)
- Cheese-of-the-Month subscription services — multiple programs being evaluated
- Amazon Associates — for cheese knives, boards, paper, and equipment
- Specialty wine and spirits retailers — for pairing recommendations (programs being evaluated)
This list will be updated as programs go live. If you notice a specific brand or product we've covered that you'd like to support us via, check whether we have an affiliate link on that brand's profile page.
How affiliate links are marked
Per FTC requirements and our own editorial preference, links that earn us commission may be marked with relevant rel attributes (typically rel="sponsored noopener"). On brand profile pages, the merchant's "Visit website" or "Shop X" button is the primary affiliate link. Within editorial text, we don't typically distinguish affiliate links from non-affiliate links inline — the assumption is that any link to a merchant page could be affiliate; if you want to confirm, this page documents our current relationships.
If you'd prefer to support us without going through affiliate links, you can tip on Ko-fi directly.
Reader benefit
The affiliate model lets us provide the site free to readers without paywalls, ads, popups, newsletter signups, or "sponsored content" indistinguishable from editorial. It works because we don't have to monetize every visit — only the small fraction of visitors who decide to buy something we've recommended.
If you find the site useful and you're going to buy specialty cheese anyway, using our links costs you nothing and helps keep the site free for everyone else.