How This Does — And Does Not — Influence ToneBattles
ToneBattles does not accept:
- Paid product placements
- Sponsored battles
- Brand-funded rankings
- Editorial influence from manufacturers
- "Guaranteed wins"
We do not sell outcomes. All battle results are driven by structured player votes. Ownership-weighted voting determines the winner, not advertising dollars. Affiliate links exist to support the platform, not to shape it.
How Battles Are Chosen
Battles are selected based on:
- Community demand
- Cultural relevance
- Historical comparison
- Real-world head-to-head debates
Not affiliate rates. If a product is controversial, niche, discontinued, or low commission, it is still eligible. Signal over revenue.
Retailers We May Link To
- Amazon
- Sweetwater
- Guitar Center
- Reverb
We choose retailers based on availability and user convenience. No retailer has input into rankings or results.
Why Use Affiliate Links At All?
Running ToneBattles requires hosting, development, data infrastructure, and ongoing editorial work. Affiliate commissions help keep the platform independent and free to use.
If you choose to support the site by purchasing through our links, we appreciate it. If you don't, nothing changes. The data stands on its own.
The moment monetization influences outcomes, ToneBattles loses its value. We would rather be trusted than optimized.