Revenue Transparency
How We Make Money
We believe you deserve to know how this site is funded. Here is the complete picture.
Current status: self-funded
That.You Credit is currently self-funded. There are no paid placements, no affiliate deals, and no sponsored content on this site. Every guide and tool is funded out of pocket by the founding team.
Revenue model — present and future
| Revenue source | Now | Possible future | Our commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-funding (founder-funded) | ✅ Active | — | Fully independent editorial control |
| Display advertising (e.g., Google AdSense) | ❌ Not yet | ⚠️ Possible | Ads clearly labeled; editorial unaffected |
| Affiliate links to financial products | ❌ None | ⚠️ Possible | Disclosed at top of page; rankings not for sale |
| Sponsored content / native ads | ❌ None | ❌ Will not do | We do not sell editorial placements |
| Paid subscription features | ❌ None | ❌ Will not do | All features remain free |
| Selling user data | ❌ None | ❌ Will not do | We do not sell personal data. Ever. |
| Credit repair service fees | ❌ None | ❌ Will not do | We are not a credit repair organization |
If we ever run advertising
Clearly labeled
All advertisements will be visually distinct from editorial content and labeled 'Advertisement' or 'Sponsored'.
Editorially separate
No advertiser will have any input on our article content, rankings, or editorial conclusions.
Screened for quality
We will not accept ads for products we believe are misleading or predatory — e.g., payday loan ads on debt relief pages.
Disclosed upfront
If a page earns money through affiliate links, that will be stated clearly near the top of the page.
Influence editorial outcomes
Advertisers spending more will never receive better editorial coverage or placement in our guides.
Native ads without labels
Content paid for by a sponsor will be clearly labeled. We will not publish advertorials without disclosure.
Affiliate link policy
We may add comparison content for financial products (credit cards, personal loans, secured cards) in the future. If we do, some links may be affiliate links — meaning we receive a commission if you apply and are approved.
Our affiliate commitment:
- Affiliate links will be disclosed at the top of any page that contains them.
- Product rankings will be based on objective criteria — not commission rate.
- We will never recommend a product we believe is harmful or unsuitable for the described audience.
- Affiliate relationships will never cause us to omit negative information about a product.
- We will list affiliate and non-affiliate products in the same comparison tables.
What we will never do
Sell editorial placements or 'sponsored rankings'
Accept payment to alter article conclusions
Promote financial products we believe are harmful to consumers
Sell, rent, or share your personal data with third parties
Lock any educational content behind a paywall
Charge for tools that are currently free
Operate as a credit repair organization under CROA
Make guarantees about credit score improvements
Educational content only. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or personal financial advice. Results vary. Laws and bureau processes change. Consult the CFPB, FTC, and AnnualCreditReport.com for authoritative guidance. Full disclaimer