- Effective Date: June 28, 2026
- Last Updated: July 18, 2026
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Introduction
I believe a product review is only useful when readers can trust the person writing it. My reviews are based on my own experience, observations, and opinions. I aim to be honest about what I know, clear about what I don’t, and transparent about any relationships or circumstances that could affect how a product was obtained or reviewed.
This page explains the standards and ethical principles I follow when publishing product reviews on BradHazel.com. For a more detailed explanation of how I approach and conduct product reviews, including my real-world testing philosophy and long-term ownership approach, please see How I Review Products page.
Editorial Independence
My reviews are my own.
No manufacturer, retailer, developer, or other business may control my opinions or determine the conclusions I reach.
Companies do not have the right to review, edit, or approve my review content before publication. I may communicate with a company during the review process to obtain product information, clarify technical details, or resolve questions, but the final content and conclusions remain my own.
If I believe a product has significant limitations, I will say so. If I don’t believe a product deserves a recommendation, I will not recommend it.
My reputation and the trust of my readers are more valuable to me than a free product or any other financial benefit.
For information about advertising, affiliate relationships, and related disclosures that apply across BradHazel.com, please review my Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure page located in my Legal Notices, Disclosures & Policies section.
Products I Purchase Myself
Whenever practical, I prefer to review products that I have purchased with my own money for an actual need, project, hobby, or personal use. Purchasing a product myself means I have a direct financial stake in the decision, just as many of my readers do. It also allows me to evaluate the product based on the same ownership experience that led me to purchase it in the first place.
The fact that I purchased a product myself does not guarantee a positive review. It simply means the product was selected because I had a genuine reason to own and use it.
Review Samples and Products Provided by Others
Manufacturers, retailers, software developers, and independent creators may occasionally offer products or services for consideration.
I decide whether a product is appropriate for my audience and whether I want to review it.
Receiving a product does not guarantee that I will publish a review.
If I do publish a review, receiving the product does not guarantee a positive opinion or recommendation.
Products provided for review are subject to the same editorial standards as products I purchase myself. The source of the product does not determine the outcome of the review.
Whenever a product has been provided at no cost or under another arrangement that could reasonably be relevant to the reader, I will disclose that relationship within the review.
Accuracy and Honesty
I will make a reasonable effort to ensure that information presented in my reviews is accurate and based on my actual experience.
I will not claim to have tested or used a product in ways that I have not.
I will not present manufacturer specifications, marketing claims, or third-party information as personal experience.
When information comes from sources other than my own experience, I will make that distinction clear when it is relevant to the review.
If I discover that I have made a factual error, I will correct it.
If new information materially changes my understanding of a product, I may update the review to reflect that information.
Recommendations
A recommendation represents my personal opinion based on my experience with the product and the circumstances in which I used it.
A product that works well for me may not be the right choice for everyone. Differences in budget, intended use, environment, compatibility, experience level, and personal preferences can all affect whether a product is appropriate for a particular person.
My reviews are intended to provide useful information and context so readers can make their own decisions. A positive review does not mean a product is universally suitable, and a negative review does not necessarily mean a product is unsuitable for every situation.
Ratings and Scoring
I do not believe that a single numerical score can fully represent the experience of owning and using a product.
For that reason, my reviews generally focus on explaining the product’s strengths, limitations, value, and suitability for different uses rather than reducing the entire experience to a single number.
When descriptive ratings are used, they are intended to provide additional context and should be considered alongside the written review and final conclusion.
The most important question I return to is whether, based on my experience, I would personally choose to spend my own money on the product again.
Updates and Corrections
Products and circumstances can change after a review is published.
Manufacturers may release firmware or software updates, change product designs, discontinue models, alter pricing, or address problems identified after launch.
My own experience may also change as I continue using a product.
When I have meaningful new information that affects the accuracy or usefulness of a review, I may update it.
If my opinion changes, I will explain why.
If I discover an error, I will correct it.
Updates are intended to preserve the usefulness and accuracy of the original review rather than rewrite history. When appropriate, I will identify significant updates so readers can understand what has changed since the original publication.
Conflicts of Interest
I will make a reasonable effort to identify and disclose relationships or circumstances that could reasonably affect the independence or credibility of a review.
The existence of a business relationship does not automatically result in a positive or negative review. The purpose of disclosure is to give readers the information they need to understand the circumstances surrounding the review.
My editorial judgment and conclusions remain independent regardless of any relationship with a manufacturer, retailer, developer, or other business.
For information about advertising, affiliate relationships, and other financial disclosures that apply across BradHazel.com, please see my Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure page located in my Legal Notices, Disclosures & Policies section.
Product Review Requests
I welcome inquiries from manufacturers, retailers, software developers, and independent creators who believe their products may be a good fit for my audience. Submitting a product for consideration does not guarantee that I will accept it or publish a review.
If you would like me to consider a product, please visit the Request a Product Review page for more information.
My Commitment to Readers
I understand that readers may use my reviews when deciding how to spend their own money.
I therefore commit to maintaining editorial independence, being transparent about relevant relationships, distinguishing personal experience from information obtained from other sources, and correcting meaningful errors when they are identified.
I will not knowingly recommend a product simply because doing so benefits me financially.
My goal is to earn and maintain your trust by providing honest, experience-based information that helps you make more informed purchasing decisions.
For more information about my overall review philosophy and how I approach product ownership and evaluation, please visit How I Review Products.
