Affiliate Disclosure

Lantern Glow (“we“, “us“, or “our“) is committed to transparency in all our business practices. This Affiliate Disclosure explains how we may earn income through affiliate partnerships and how this affects our content and recommendations.

1. What Are Affiliate Links?

Affiliate links are special tracking links that allow us to earn a commission when you make a purchase through them. These links do not change the price you pay—they simply allow the merchant to know that you were referred by our website.

How They Work

• You click on a product or service link on our Site
• You are redirected to the merchant’s website
• If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission
• Your price remains the same—you never pay extra

Visual Identification

Affiliate links on our Site may be identified by:

• Disclaimer text near the link
• Special formatting or colors
• “Affiliate Link” labels
• Contextual disclosures in relevant content

2. Our Affiliate Partnerships

Types of Partnerships

We participate in affiliate programs with various companies that offer products and services relevant to China travel:

Major Affiliate Networks

• Amazon Associates Program
• Booking.com Partner Program
• Commission Junction (CJ Affiliate)
• ShareASale
• Impact Radius
• Direct merchant partnerships

3. FTC Compliance Statement

This disclosure is made in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Our Commitment

• We clearly disclose all affiliate relationships
• We only promote products and services we genuinely believe in
• Our editorial content remains independent and honest
• We prioritize our readers’ interests over potential commissions

Legal Requirements

• All affiliate relationships are disclosed in compliance with FTC guidelines
• We maintain transparency in all sponsored content
• We distinguish between editorial content and advertising
• We follow international disclosure requirements where applicable

4. Editorial Independence

Our Review Process

Independence First: Our editorial content is created independently of our affiliate partnerships. We:

• Research thoroughly before recommending any product or service
• Test products personally when possible
• Provide honest opinions based on genuine experience
• Include both pros and cons in our reviews
• Never guarantee that you will have the same experience

Content Standards

• Honest reviews reflect our genuine opinions
• Balanced coverage includes potential drawbacks
• Regular updates ensure information remains current
• Reader feedback is incorporated into our recommendations
• Quality over commission guides our selections

5. Types of Compensation

Commission-Based Earnings

• Percentage of sale (typically 2-10% of purchase price)
• Fixed amounts per transaction or signup
• Recurring commissions for subscription services
• Performance bonuses for high-volume referrals

Non-Monetary Benefits

• Free products for testing and review
• Complimentary services (hotels, tours, experiences)
• Press trip invitations and media access
• Early access to new products or services

What We Don’t Accept

• Payment for positive reviews or guaranteed coverage
• Influence over editorial content or recommendations
• Exclusive promotion requirements that limit our independence
• Undisclosed compensation or hidden partnerships

6. Your Rights as a Reader

No Extra Cost

• Prices remain the same whether you use our links or not
• Discounts and deals are available to all users
• Special offers may be available through our partnerships
• Comparison shopping is always encouraged

Transparency Promise

• Full disclosure of all affiliate relationships
• Clear labeling of sponsored content
• Honest recommendations based on genuine experience
• Regular updates to keep information current

Your Choices

• Use affiliate links to support our work at no extra cost
• Shop directly with merchants if you prefer
• Compare prices across multiple platforms
• Read multiple reviews before making decisions

7. International Considerations

Global Compliance

Our affiliate disclosures comply with regulations in multiple jurisdictions:

• United States: FTC Guidelines
• European Union: GDPR and advertising standards
• United Kingdom: ASA (Advertising Standards Authority)
• Canada: Competition Bureau guidelines
• Australia: ACCC consumer protection laws

Currency and Pricing

• Prices may vary by location and currency
• Exchange rates affect international pricing
• Local taxes may apply to purchases
• Shipping costs vary by destination

8. Specific Disclosures

Amazon Associates

Lantern Glow is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and international Amazon websites.

Booking Platforms

We earn commissions from accommodation booking platforms when you complete a reservation through our links. These partnerships help us provide comprehensive accommodation guides.

VPN Services

Given the importance of VPN services for travelers to China, we partner with reputable VPN providers and may earn commissions from subscriptions purchased through our recommendations.

Travel Insurance

We partner with travel insurance providers to offer our readers access to coverage options suitable for China travel, earning commissions on policy purchases.

9. Data and Privacy

Tracking and Analytics

• Affiliate links may use cookies to track referrals
• Anonymous data helps us understand user preferences
• Performance metrics guide our content decisions
• Privacy protection remains our priority

Data Usage

• We do not sell personal information to affiliate partners
• Aggregated data may be shared for program optimization
• Individual privacy is always protected
• Opt-out options are available for tracking

10. Quality Assurance

Vetting Process

Before partnering with any company, we evaluate:

• Reputation and business practices
• Product quality and customer service
• Pricing competitiveness and value
• Relevance to our readers’ needs
• Reliability and trustworthiness

Ongoing Monitoring

• Regular reviews of partner performance
• Reader feedback influences our partnerships
• Quality issues may result in partnership termination
• New opportunities are continuously evaluated

11. Reader Support

How You Help Us

When you use our affiliate links, you:

• Support our work at no extra cost to yourself
• Enable us to continue providing free content
• Help us maintain and improve our website
• Allow us to research and test new products

Our Commitment to You

In return, we promise to:

• Provide honest and useful recommendations
• Maintain editorial independence
• Continuously improve our content quality
• Respect your privacy and preferences

12. Updates and Changes

Regular Reviews

• This disclosure is reviewed quarterly
• New partnerships are added as they develop
• Terminated relationships are removed promptly
• Policy changes are communicated clearly

Notification Process

• Material changes will be announced via email
• Updated disclosure will be posted on our website
• Effective date will be clearly indicated
• Continued use constitutes acceptance of changes

13. Contact Information

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships or this disclosure:

Email: contact@lanternglow.guide
Website: lanternglow.guide

Feedback Welcome

• Partnership suggestions from readers
• Product recommendations for review
• Concerns about our practices
• Ideas for improvement

14. Conclusion

Our affiliate partnerships enable us to provide free, high-quality travel content while maintaining editorial independence. We are committed to transparency, honesty, and putting our readers’ interests first.

Thank you for supporting Lantern Glow through your use of our affiliate links. Your support helps us continue to provide valuable China travel information and maintain our independence as a trusted resource for travelers.

Remember: You are never obligated to use our affiliate links. Whether you purchase through our links or directly from merchants, we appreciate your readership and trust in our recommendations.

This disclosure will be updated as our affiliate partnerships evolve. Please check back regularly for the most current information.