Do affiliate links affect how you rank products?
Short answer
No. Ranking is computed from the ethics score before any commercial relationship is considered, and brands cannot buy a position, a review or inclusion. Some outbound retailer links earn a commission, which funds the research, and every one of them is disclosed on the page it appears.
The detail
The separation is structural: the scoring pipeline has no access to affiliate data, and editorial staff have no revenue targets tied to specific brands. Products with no affiliate programme at all regularly rank first.
We also publish what would change our mind — recalls, controversies and lapsed certifications all reduce scores automatically, including for brands we earn from.
At a glance
- No paid placement
- Position cannot be purchased at any price.
- Disclosed
- Affiliate relationships are stated on every page that carries them.
- Auditable
- The full formula and weightings are published.
Go deeper
More on shopping
Other common questions
Why this answer is more complicated than a yes or no
“Do affiliate links affect how you rank products?” is usually answered with a single word online, and the single word is usually wrong. Most sustainability questions depend on scope (which product, which market, which year), on the standard being applied, and on how long the item will actually be used.
Our approach is to answer the question directly first, then show the conditions under which the answer changes. That way a quick reader gets a usable answer and a careful reader gets the reasoning, including the cases where the popular answer breaks down.
Where evidence is genuinely contested, we say so rather than picking the more shareable side. Claims we cannot trace to a named standard, a regulator or published testing are labelled unverified.
What changes the answer
| Variable | Why it matters | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Product lifespan | A durable item amortises its footprint over years | Look for repairability and warranty length |
| Certification scope | Coverage is per line, not per brand | Ask for the certificate number |
| Market and law | Requirements differ by country | Check the claim for the market you buy in |
| Use pattern | Washing, heating and daily contact dominate impact | Judge against how you'll actually use it |
Turning the answer into a purchase
- Fix your budget firstCertified options exist at most price points; filter by both.
- Pick one certification to trustDepth beats collecting logos.
- Check the exclusionsWhat a claim leaves out is more informative than what it covers.
- Plan the end of lifeRepair, refill or recycling routes decide the real footprint.