How BalanzGM earns revenue and how it affects our editorial independence
Last updated: May 2026
Summary: BalanzGM is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you purchase a product through links on our site — at no extra cost to you. Our editorial picks are not influenced by these relationships.
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a standard practice in the publishing industry. A website earns a small commission when a reader clicks a link and makes a purchase. The price you pay is identical — the retailer simply shares a portion of the sale with the publisher for the referral.
This model is used by major publications including The New York Times Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, Healthline, and thousands of other publishers.
How BalanzGM earns money
BalanzGM partners with CBD and wellness brands through reputable affiliate networks. When you click a link and purchase a product, we may receive a commission — typically between 10% and 40% of the sale price, depending on the brand. The price you pay is exactly the same as buying directly from the brand.
We work with brands across multiple categories: CBD oils and tinctures, CBD gummies and edibles, sleep and relaxation formulas, and topicals (creams, balms, lotions). The specific brands we partner with are updated regularly as we expand our review catalog.
Our editorial independence guarantee
No brand pays for placement. Products are ranked solely based on our research evaluation. A higher commission rate never results in a higher ranking or more favorable review.
- Independent research: We do not accept paid placements or free product samples. Our analysis is based on publicly available data, the brand’s published COAs, FDA records, and aggregated customer feedback from verified third-party retailers.
- Editorial scoring: Scores are assigned using our 5-criteria research framework before any affiliate link is added to the review.
- Affiliate-free options included: If the best product in a category has no affiliate program, we still recommend it. Editorial integrity comes first.
- Regular audits: Rankings are reviewed monthly for product availability, pricing, COA updates, and consumer-safety news.
- Disclosed conflicts: Any potential conflict of interest is disclosed at the top of the relevant article.
What our research process involves
- COA verification from ISO/IEC 17025-accredited third-party labs (we verify the brand’s published COA against the lab’s website)
- Ingredient and sourcing review based on the brand’s published information
- Price-per-milligram analysis benchmarked against the category average
- Brand transparency audit (lab report accessibility, customer service, FDA history)
- Aggregated customer feedback from verified third-party retailers
We do not conduct first-person product testing at this time. Read more about how we research products on our Methodology page.
FTC compliance
This disclosure complies with FTC 16 CFR Part 255 on endorsements and testimonials. You will find a clear and conspicuous affiliate disclosure at the top of every article and review page on BalanzGM where affiliate links appear.
Questions about our disclosure?
Contact us via the Contact page or email editorial@balanzgm.com. We are committed to full transparency. See also our Medical Disclaimer and Terms of Use.
Balanzgm Editorial Team
Independent CBD Review Publication
BalanzGM is an independent publication dedicated to evidence-based CBD reviews. We are not owned by or affiliated with any CBD brand.