These terms apply to publishers invited into The Comparator Founding Publisher Program. They supplement the general Widget Terms and Terms of Use. If the documents conflict, these program terms control only the Founding Publisher invitation.
1. The program is invite-only
The Founding Publisher Program is a limited early-partner program, not a free pricing tier. We select established hardware publishers with a live, relevant website, a suitable existing article, responsible editorial content, a normally indexed domain, and a clear contact person. Large traffic numbers are not required.
2. Creator access
After activation, the selected publisher receives 12 months of Creator access for one approved domain. Access includes supported live widgets based on the latest available market snapshot, custom colors, the publisher’s own approved affiliate IDs where supported, static snapshot exports by request, share images where available, basic click reporting, and reasonable help with the first implementation.
Features may evolve during the program. Static exports and reporting can be delivered manually while the self-service workflow is being completed. Prices are dated market snapshots, not real-time quotes; the final retailer price must always be checked.
3. Activation and invitation expiry
The invitation expires 30 calendar days after it is sent if no approved widget has been installed. The publisher can first install a branded preview without a Creator key. Once The Comparator verifies the first qualifying installation on the approved domain, the 12-month Creator license is issued and its term begins.
An invitation does not reserve access indefinitely. The Comparator may extend the invitation in writing when an implementation is already in progress.
4. Publisher commitments
During the program the publisher agrees to:
- keep at least one approved widget installed in a genuine editorial placement;
- keep visible “Data by The Comparator” attribution or an agreed co-branded credit;
- use only affiliate IDs approved for the publisher’s own domain and comply with the relevant affiliate program rules;
- provide practical feedback about setup, reader experience and reporting;
- allow The Comparator to name the site and show the public installation in a gallery or case study;
- preserve required price dates, methodology links, affiliate disclosures and data disclaimers.
Where editorially natural, we may ask the publisher to link to the methodology or tool. Such a link is optional and must never be treated as a paid dofollow-link requirement.
5. What is not included
Full white-label rights are not included. White-label access is available only through a short written trial, a paid Publisher Pro license, or a separate strategic agreement. The program does not include an API, guaranteed data-refresh frequency, guaranteed revenue, a service-level agreement, custom development, or approval by any affiliate network.
6. Editorial independence
The publisher controls its editorial conclusions. The Comparator controls its scoring methodology and data presentation. Neither party may claim that a manufacturer, retailer or affiliate network endorses the program unless that relationship is documented separately.
7. Revocation and early termination
The Comparator may suspend or revoke access for domain misuse, affiliate-tag manipulation, hidden or removed attribution, misleading presentation, scraping, fraudulent traffic, or other material violations of the Widget Terms. Either party may leave the program at any time by written notice. On termination, the publisher must remove Creator-only exports and license keys; public branded embeds may continue under the then-current free Widget Terms.
8. Privacy and publicity
Contact and implementation details are used to administer the program. A case study will use only information visible on the public site or separately approved by the publisher. Non-public traffic, revenue or conversion figures will not be published without explicit written approval.
9. No link purchase
Creator access is consideration for product adoption, implementation feedback and case-study participation. It is not payment for a dofollow link, search ranking influence, positive coverage or a favorable review.
Questions or requests to withdraw: [email protected].