Advertising Disclosure
Last updated: December 20, 2025
At Thornwood, we believe in transparency about our advertising practices and financial relationships. This disclosure explains how advertising and sponsored content may appear on our website, and how we handle affiliate relationships and third-party advertising.
Our Commitment to Transparency
We are committed to maintaining trust with our visitors by being open about any financial relationships that may influence the content on our website. This disclosure is provided in accordance with consumer protection regulations and ethical advertising standards. When we recommend products, services, or partnerships, we strive to do so based on genuine value and relevance to our audience, not solely on financial considerations.
Affiliate Relationships
Participation in Affiliate Programs
Thornwood may participate in affiliate marketing programs from time to time. This means that we may receive financial compensation when you click on certain links and make purchases through our website. These affiliate relationships help support our work and allow us to continue providing valuable content and services.
Commission-Based Links
When we include affiliate links on our website, they typically:
- Generate a commission for Thornwood if you make a purchase
- Do not increase the price you pay for products or services
- Are included because we believe the products or services may be genuinely useful
- Are clearly identified when possible, though not all platforms allow disclosure in the link itself
Product Recommendation Policies
Our recommendations are based on our professional judgment and experience in the arcade development industry. While we may receive compensation for some recommendations, this does not influence our honest assessment of products or services. We only recommend resources that we believe offer genuine value to our audience, whether or not we have an affiliate relationship.
Financial Relationship Transparency
We disclose affiliate relationships in good faith and to the best of our ability. If we receive compensation for a product mention, recommendation, or link, we make reasonable efforts to inform you. However, the presence of an affiliate relationship does not mean we endorse everything about a company or product, nor does the absence of such a relationship mean we have no connection to the entity mentioned.
Sponsored Content
Identification of Paid Content
Sponsored content refers to material created in partnership with brands or companies in exchange for compensation. When we publish sponsored content, we clearly identify it as such. This includes articles, blog posts, or other materials where we have received payment or other consideration in exchange for creating or featuring the content.
Sponsored Post Labeling
All sponsored posts on our website are labeled with clear disclosures such as "Sponsored," "Paid Partnership," or similar language. These disclosures appear prominently at the beginning of the content so visitors can immediately understand the nature of the material they are reading.
Brand Partnership Disclosures
When we enter into longer-term brand partnerships, we disclose these relationships on relevant pages. These partnerships may involve ongoing collaboration, product testing, or other forms of engagement that could reasonably be seen as influencing our content or recommendations.
Content Authenticity Guarantees
Even when content is sponsored, we maintain editorial control and ensure it reflects our genuine perspective. We do not publish sponsored content that contradicts our values or that we believe would mislead our audience. Our reputation and your trust are more valuable to us than any single sponsorship arrangement.
Third-Party Advertising
Display Advertising Networks
We may use third-party advertising networks to display advertisements on our website. These networks use cookies and similar technologies to show ads based on your browsing history and interests. The advertisers and networks we work with are selected based on their reputation and commitment to user privacy.
Behavioral Targeting Disclosure
Some advertisements on our website may use behavioral targeting, which means they are selected based on your previous browsing activity across different websites. This targeting is managed by third-party advertising platforms and is subject to their privacy policies and practices.
Cookie Usage for Advertising
Advertising partners may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your visits to our website and other sites. This information helps them deliver relevant advertisements to you. You can learn more about cookie usage and manage your preferences on our Cookie Policy page.
Ad Personalization Practices
Personalized advertising on our site may involve:
- Collection of browsing data by advertising partners
- Use of demographic and interest information to show relevant ads
- Retargeting visitors who have previously interacted with our content
- Cross-site tracking to understand browsing patterns
You can opt out of personalized advertising through your browser settings or by adjusting your cookie preferences on our website.
User Rights and Controls
Ad Preference Management
You have control over the types of advertisements you see and the data used to personalize them. Most advertising networks provide preference centers where you can adjust your settings and opt out of certain types of targeting.
Opt-Out Procedures
If you wish to opt out of personalized advertising, you can do so through several methods. Many advertising networks participate in industry opt-out programs that allow you to disable personalized ads across multiple platforms. You can also use browser settings to block third-party cookies or use privacy-focused browser extensions.
Data Collection for Advertising Purposes
Advertising partners may collect various types of data including your IP address, device information, browsing behavior, and interaction with advertisements. This data collection is governed by the privacy policies of those third parties, not solely by our own privacy practices.
Rights Under Privacy Regulations
Depending on your location, you may have specific rights regarding data collection for advertising purposes. These may include the right to access data, request deletion, opt out of sale of personal information, and more. Please refer to our Privacy Policy and the privacy policies of advertising partners for more information about your rights.
Compliance and Standards
We strive to comply with all applicable advertising regulations, including consumer protection laws and industry guidelines. This includes regulations from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States, equivalent bodies in other jurisdictions, and industry self-regulatory programs.
Questions and Concerns
If you have questions about our advertising practices, specific disclosures, or would like to report a concern about advertising content on our website, please contact us. We take all advertising-related inquiries seriously and are committed to maintaining transparent and ethical practices.
Updates to This Disclosure
We may update this Advertising Disclosure from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, partnerships, or legal requirements. Significant changes will be reflected in the "last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this disclosure periodically to stay informed about our advertising practices.