Advertising Disclosure

Last updated: November 15, 2025

At Indie Cade, we believe in complete transparency regarding our advertising practices and business relationships. This Advertising Disclosure explains how we work with partners, generate revenue through various advertising methods, and maintain editorial integrity while doing so.

We are committed to operating in full compliance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, as well as applicable advertising standards and regulations.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Transparency is fundamental to how we operate. When we have financial relationships that could influence our content or recommendations, we disclose them clearly. This disclosure page serves to inform you about:

Affiliate Relationships and Programs

Participation in Affiliate Programs

Indie Cade participates in various affiliate marketing programs. This means that when you click on certain links on our website and make a purchase or take a specific action, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the third-party vendor, platform, or service provider.

These affiliate relationships help support our operations and allow us to continue providing valuable services to the indie game development community without charging users directly for access to our content.

Types of Affiliate Relationships

We may maintain affiliate relationships with:

  • Game development tools and software providers
  • Digital distribution platforms and marketplaces
  • Educational resources and training platforms for game developers
  • Services relevant to indie game publishing and distribution
  • Hardware, equipment, and technology vendors serving the gaming industry

Commission Structure and Disclosure

When we include affiliate links on our website, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. The commission we receive varies by program and product, but typically ranges from a small percentage to a fixed amount per sale or action.

Important: Using an affiliate link does not cost you anything extra. The price you pay is the same whether you use our affiliate link or navigate to the vendor directly. The commission comes from the vendor, not from your pocket.

Editorial Independence

Our participation in affiliate programs does not influence our editorial content, recommendations, or professional judgments. We only recommend products, services, or platforms that we genuinely believe may be valuable to indie game developers.

We maintain complete editorial independence and do not allow affiliate relationships to compromise the integrity of our content or the trust our community places in us.

Sponsored Content and Paid Promotions

Identification of Sponsored Content

From time to time, we may publish content that is sponsored by or created in partnership with brands, companies, or organizations. All sponsored content is clearly labeled and disclosed to ensure transparency.

Sponsored content may include articles, reviews, case studies, or other materials that are financially supported by third parties. We use clear labeling such as "Sponsored," "Paid Partnership," "In Partnership With," or similar designations to identify such content.

Sponsored Content Policies

  • Clear Disclosure: All sponsored content includes prominent disclosure at the beginning of the content
  • Honest Opinions: We maintain editorial control and provide authentic perspectives even in sponsored content
  • Relevance: We only partner with brands and organizations relevant to our audience of indie game developers
  • Quality Standards: Sponsored content must meet our editorial standards and provide genuine value to readers

Brand Partnerships and Collaborations

We occasionally form strategic partnerships with companies, platforms, and organizations in the gaming industry. These partnerships may involve co-marketing initiatives, event sponsorships, or collaborative content creation. All such partnerships are disclosed appropriately, and we ensure they align with our values and serve the interests of the indie game development community.

Third-Party Advertising Networks

Display Advertising

We may use third-party advertising networks to display advertisements on our website. These networks serve ads based on your browsing behavior and interests, a practice known as behavioral or interest-based advertising.

Third-party advertisers and ad networks may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your visits to our website and other websites in order to provide relevant advertisements about goods and services that may interest you.

Advertising Networks We Use

We may work with various advertising networks and platforms, including but not limited to:

  • Google AdSense and related advertising platforms
  • Industry-specific advertising networks serving the gaming sector
  • Programmatic advertising exchanges and demand-side platforms
  • Direct advertising partnerships with relevant brands

Data Collection for Advertising

Third-party advertising networks may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites to provide targeted advertising. This data collection is governed by the privacy policies of these third-party networks, not by our Privacy Policy.

For more information about how we use cookies for advertising purposes, please review our Cookie Policy.

Ad Quality and Standards

While we work with third-party advertising networks, we maintain standards for the types of advertisements displayed on our website. We strive to ensure that ads are relevant, appropriate, and non-intrusive. However, we do not have direct control over all advertisements served by third-party networks.

Your Rights and Controls Regarding Advertisements

Opting Out of Interest-Based Advertising

You have choices regarding interest-based advertising. You can opt out of receiving personalized advertisements from many advertising networks through industry opt-out programs:

  • Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) opt-out page
  • Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) opt-out page
  • Google Ads Settings for Google advertising preferences
  • Your browser settings to block or limit cookies

Note: Opting out of interest-based advertising does not mean you will no longer see advertisements. You will still see ads, but they may be less relevant to your interests.

Managing Cookie Preferences

You can manage your cookie preferences for advertising and other purposes through our Cookie Policy page, where you can adjust settings for different types of cookies including those used for advertising.

Browser-Based Controls

Most web browsers provide built-in controls for managing cookies and tracking:

  • Configure your browser to block third-party cookies
  • Enable Do Not Track (DNT) signals in your browser
  • Use private or incognito browsing modes
  • Install browser extensions that block ads or tracking

FTC Compliance and Endorsements

We are committed to operating in full compliance with the Federal Trade Commission's Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. This includes:

Clear and Conspicuous Disclosure

When we have material connections to brands, products, or services we discuss or recommend, we disclose those relationships clearly and prominently. Disclosures are placed where users will notice them before taking action.

Honest and Accurate Representations

Our recommendations and endorsements reflect our genuine opinions and experiences. We do not make false or misleading claims about products or services, even when we have financial relationships with their providers.

Material Connections

We disclose material connections that might affect the credibility of our endorsements, including financial compensation, free products, or other benefits received from companies whose products or services we discuss.

Typical Results

When discussing results or outcomes from using our services or products we recommend, we provide honest information and do not guarantee specific results. Individual outcomes vary based on many factors beyond our control.

Updates to This Disclosure

We may update this Advertising Disclosure from time to time to reflect changes in our advertising practices, partnerships, or applicable regulations. When we make significant changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this disclosure periodically to stay informed about how we generate revenue through advertising and maintain transparency in our business relationships.

Questions About Advertising

If you have questions about our advertising practices, disclosure policies, or specific partnerships, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're committed to maintaining transparency and addressing any concerns you may have.

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