Affiliate Links, Transparency & Trust

How I fund this site without compromising your privacy or my integrity

If you’re skeptical about someone giving advice while earning commissions, good. That’s how I feel too. This page explains how I handle that tension – and why I believe affiliate funding is the best way to keep this site independent, accessible and privacy-respecting.

Why This Site Exists

When I started degoogling my life in early 2025, finding trustworthy, practical advice was surprisingly hard. I pieced together information from scattered blog posts, forum threads and YouTube videos – never quite sure if I’d overlooked something important.

The most frustrating part wasn’t the research – I was expecting a certain amount of that. It was realizing I had nothing quick and easy to recommend when friends and family asked for help. Everyone was interested in leaving Big Tech behind, but the comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide I wanted to share didn’t exist.

So I’m building it.

Running this site takes real time: researching providers, testing services, writing guides, maintaining accuracy as things change. I’ve been treating it at times like a full-time job, but that’s only sustainable with some form of income.

Why Affiliate Links

I considered the alternatives:

Affiliate links seem the best option. I can recommend services I already use and/or believe in while keeping content free and accessible. And for those that want to contribute to my work – it costs them nothing extra. It’s the closest thing to a win-win I’ve been able to find.

How I Keep Things Honest

I only become an affiliate for services I’ve researched thoroughly and would feel comfortable recommending to family and friends. Some I use daily (Proton), others I’ve tested extensively or know well enough to stand behind.

But honestly? This post isn’t what should convince you I’m trustworthy – my articles should. If I’m writing glowing reviews that ignore obvious problems, burying free or non-affiliate alternatives at the bottom or giving special treatment to the services with the highest commissions – I’m sure most people would notice. Using your own common sense is your real safeguard, not anything I say here.

But here are a handful of promises and commitments that I invite you to hold me to:

I’ll show you a diverse range of options

I want to help people degoogle - and there are many ways to accomplish that goal. I want people of varying income levels, tech-expertise and commitment to find helpful insights here. With that in mind, I aim to present a range of alternatives to the Big Tech standards that includes free options and providers I’m not affiliated with.

I disclose everything clearly

You’ll find a permanent note in the site’s sidebar that mentions my affiliations while any article that contains affiliate links will have a clear disclosure at the top with a link back to this page.

I’m not locked in

If an affiliate partner (or a non-affiliate recommendation) abandons its own “don’t be evil” roots, I’ll drop them and update my content.

I won’t use manipulative sales tactics

You’ll get well-researched information that helps you make informed decisions – not pressure to click a link or buy a product.

I’ll keep improving

If something’s wrong or outdated, or if your experience doesn’t line up with what I wrote: contact me (details at the bottom of the page). I want to be accurate, but things change quickly and sometimes I straight up miss things.

Related Concerns

Your privacy matters to me.

This site uses cookieless analytics, no tracking pixels in newsletters and clean social media links. Affiliate links do place a temporary cookie to track referrals, but if that bothers you: Do your research in private browsing and use my link when you’re ready to purchase. Then clear your cookies afterward. Easy-peasy.

I generally favor EU-based services.

European privacy laws are stronger than those in the US, where most Big Tech companies are based. Supporting European alternatives also helps rebalance the power dynamic and gives you better legal protections.

The Money Question

For the curious among you: Commission rates for privacy tech typically run in the 20-40% range. So if you buy a typical annual subscription of about €100, I might earn between €20 and €40. The rate is generally fixed according to product and never impacts the price you are charged.

Thanks for reading. I hope this site helps you take back control of your digital life.

And if you do make a purchase through one of my affiliate links (listed below) – thank you! It is a real encouragement and helps keep this project alive.

My Affiliate Links