Advertising Disclosure
Last updated: November 12, 2025
Our Commitment to Transparency
At Hard Core, we believe in maintaining honest relationships with our clients and website visitors. This Advertising Disclosure explains our advertising practices, affiliate relationships, and how we may be compensated when you interact with certain content or make purchases through our recommendations.
We comply with the Federal Trade Commission's guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. Our goal is to provide valuable technical information while being transparent about any financial relationships that may influence the content you see.
Affiliate Relationships
Affiliate Program Participation
Hard Core participates in various affiliate marketing programs. This means we may earn commission-based compensation when you click on certain links and make purchases through those links. Specifically:
- • We may receive commissions from hardware component manufacturers when you purchase recommended products
- • Links to tool suppliers, cable manufacturers, and electronics distributors may generate affiliate income
- • We participate in Amazon Associates and similar programs for arcade-related hardware
- • Referrals to compatible software or game platforms may result in referral fees
These affiliate relationships do not influence the price you pay for products. Manufacturers pay us a small percentage of the sale as compensation for referring customers.
Product Recommendations
When we recommend hardware components, tools, or suppliers, our suggestions are based on:
- • Our direct experience using these products in integration projects
- • Technical specifications and compatibility with common arcade systems
- • Reliability and quality based on our professional assessment
- • Value proposition for the intended use case
While we may earn commissions on some recommended products, we only recommend items we genuinely believe provide value for arcade cabinet integration. We would not recommend a product solely for commission purposes.
Financial Transparency
The presence of affiliate links does not mean every product or link on our website generates commission. We clearly distinguish between affiliated and non-affiliated content where practical. Our technical articles and service descriptions focus primarily on educational value rather than product promotion. Any commission earned helps support the maintenance of our website and the creation of helpful technical resources for the arcade community.
Sponsored Content
Sponsored Posts and Partnerships
Occasionally, we may publish sponsored content or enter into brand partnerships. When we do:
- • All sponsored posts will be clearly labeled as "Sponsored," "Paid Partnership," or "Advertisement"
- • We maintain editorial control over sponsored content to ensure technical accuracy
- • Sponsored content must align with our quality standards and be relevant to our audience
- • We reserve the right to decline sponsorship offers that don't meet our criteria
Sponsored content is separate from our regular technical articles and service information. It represents paid promotional material that has been reviewed for accuracy but is created in partnership with brands.
Brand Relationships
We maintain professional relationships with various hardware manufacturers and component suppliers. Some of these relationships are purely transactional (we purchase their products for projects), while others may involve:
- • Technical partnerships for testing new products or integration methods
- • Preferred vendor status offering discounted rates to our clients
- • Product sample programs where we receive hardware for evaluation
- • Technical support relationships providing priority assistance
These relationships do not compromise our professional judgment or technical recommendations. We maintain independence in our service delivery and client advocacy.
Content Authenticity
Whether content is sponsored or organic, we maintain the same technical standards. All information is verified for accuracy, and we stand behind the technical guidance we provide. Our reputation depends on delivering reliable information regardless of whether the content is compensated. We do not allow sponsors to dictate technical conclusions or misrepresent product capabilities.
Third-Party Advertising
Display Advertising Networks
We may use third-party advertising networks to serve display advertisements on our website. These networks include:
- • Google AdSense and Google Display Network
- • Other reputable advertising platforms focused on technology and hardware
These advertising networks may display ads based on your browsing history and interests, using cookies and similar technologies. We do not control the content of these advertisements, though we maintain standards for ad quality and relevance.
Behavioral Targeting
Third-party advertising networks may use behavioral targeting to show you ads based on your interests and online activity. This involves collecting information about your browsing behavior across different websites to create interest-based advertising profiles. You can manage your preferences for behavioral advertising through your browser settings or by visiting opt-out pages provided by advertising networks. For more information about how we use cookies for advertising purposes, please see our Cookie Policy.
Ad Personalization Practices
Advertising personalization on our website may involve:
- • Showing ads related to arcade hardware, electronics, or technical services
- • Remarketing to previous website visitors with relevant content
- • Geographic targeting to show location-appropriate services or suppliers
- • Interest-based targeting based on technology and gaming topics
You can control personalized advertising through your cookie preferences, browser settings, or advertising network opt-out tools.
User Rights and Controls
Advertisement Preference Management
You have control over the types of advertisements you see on our website. You can manage your preferences through our Cookie Policy page, where you can opt out of advertising cookies. Additionally, you can use browser settings to block or limit advertising cookies across all websites you visit.
Opt-Out Procedures
To opt out of personalized advertising:
- • Visit our Cookie Policy page and adjust your advertising preferences
- • Use the Digital Advertising Alliance opt-out tool at optout.aboutads.info
- • Visit the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page at optout.networkadvertising.org
- • Configure your browser to reject third-party cookies
- • Use privacy-focused browser extensions to block advertising trackers
Data Collection for Advertising
Advertising networks may collect information about your visits to our website and other sites to provide targeted advertisements. This collection is governed by each advertising network's privacy policy. We do not have access to or control over cookies placed by third-party advertisers. For information about how advertising networks collect and use data, please review their individual privacy policies.
Privacy Regulations Compliance
We comply with applicable privacy regulations including GDPR, CCPA, and other data protection laws regarding advertising practices. You have rights under these regulations to access, delete, or restrict the use of your personal information for advertising purposes. To exercise these rights, please contact us through our Contact page or manage your preferences through our Cookie Policy page.