The short version
Some links on ModLinQ to retailers like Amazon, Summit Racing, RockAuto, eBay, and brand-direct stores are affiliate links. If you click one and buy something, ModLinQ may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
These commissions help keep ModLinQ free to use. They do not influence which parts members rate highly, which builds rank on the leaderboard, or what shows up in your search results.
How affiliate links work on ModLinQ
When a member tags a part on their build, they can attach a retailer link. When you click "View at retailer" on a part page or install detail, ModLinQ routes the click through /out/… so we can record the click for analytics, then forwards you to the retailer. If you complete a purchase within the retailer's tracking window, the retailer pays ModLinQ a small commission on that sale.
Outbound retailer links carry rel="nofollow sponsored" per Google's guidance, so search engines don't pass authority through them.
Retailers we currently work with
- Amazon — through the Amazon Associates program.
- Summit Racing — through their affiliate program.
- RockAuto — referral program.
- eBay — through the eBay Partner Network.
- Brand-direct stores — when a brand has its own affiliate program, we use it. Otherwise we link unaffiliated.
If a retailer is not on this list and the link still routes through /out/…, the click is being tracked for analytics only — no commission is earned.
Sponsored content
In addition to affiliate links, ModLinQ offers sponsored placements on parts and category pages. Brands and retailers can pay to be featured in specific surfaces — top of the parts list, category headers, the partners page, etc.
Whenever you see sponsored placement, it's clearly labeled with a yellow "Sponsored" pill on the card or header. We do not run sponsored content without that label.
What sponsorship does not change
- It does not change a part's review ratings. Member ratings on installs are organic.
- It does not change the community-validated, trending, or member-rated badges. Those are computed from real install data weighted by reviewer karma.
- It does not change what shows up in search when you look for a specific part by name.
- It does not change what shows up on the leaderboards.
Editorial firewall
Member-generated content — install posts, reviews, photos, comments, karma, leaderboard standings — is run independently of our advertising and affiliate operations. Brands cannot pay to remove negative reviews, hide downvotes, or change a part's score. We will not take ad money in exchange for content moderation outcomes.
If we ever feature a part in a way that's not driven by community data — for example, an editorially highlighted installation guide — we'll mark that clearly so you know it's from ModLinQ rather than the community.
Your trust signals on every page
- Affiliate or tracked outbound links open the retailer in a new tab and use
rel="nofollow sponsored". - Sponsored cards show a "Sponsored" pill on the listing.
- The parts marketplace defaults to community-driven sort. You can switch sort manually at any time.
- Every install carries a review rating, a recommendation flag, and a karma-weighted score — all from members.
Questions?
Got a question about a specific link, sponsorship, or something that feels off? Email us at hello@modlinq.com. If you're a brand or retailer and want to learn about partnership options, our Partners page has the details.
ModLinQ is a participant in retailer affiliate programs as described above. References in this disclosure to specific retailers do not imply endorsement of ModLinQ by those retailers.