How paid content works

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Magic Years is free to readers. Advertising, sponsorships, affiliate relationships, and other commercial partnerships help pay for it. We think readers should be able to understand when money or another material relationship is involved. This page explains how we handle paid content and recommendations.

Editorial Content

Much of what appears in Magic Years is selected editorially, including parenting information, local events, things to do with kids, recommendations, and other information we think may be useful to parents and caregivers.

A business does not need to advertise with Magic Years to be considered for editorial coverage.

Paying for advertising or sponsorship does not guarantee separate favorable editorial coverage. Except for content that is expressly sponsored or otherwise part of a commercial arrangement, Magic Years retains editorial discretion over what we cover, recommend, include, edit, or remove.

Advertising and Sponsored Content

Businesses and organizations may pay Magic Years for advertising, sponsorships, featured placements, or other promotional opportunities.

When content is paid for, we disclose the commercial relationship in a way intended to make that clear to readers. Depending on the format, you may see language such as “Sponsored,” “Ad,” “Advertisement,” or another clear disclosure associated with the content.

Paid content may be written or formatted in the same general style as other Magic Years content. A commercial arrangement may also affect whether, where, or how prominently paid material appears.

A paid placement is not the same thing as independent editorial coverage.

Affiliate Links

Some Magic Years links are affiliate links.

If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, booking, or other qualifying transaction, Magic Years may receive a commission or other compensation.

When an affiliate relationship could affect how a reader evaluates a recommendation, we disclose that relationship in connection with the relevant content. Depending on the format, this may be done through explanatory language, a disclosure associated with the item, an asterisk tied to a clear disclosure, or another appropriate method.

Using an affiliate link does not create an additional charge from Magic Years. Prices, availability, terms, returns, warranties, and other transaction details are determined by the third-party merchant or service provider.

Advertisers That Also Appear Editorially

An advertiser or commercial partner may also independently be relevant for editorial coverage.

Advertising with Magic Years does not automatically prevent a business, product, event, or organization from appearing elsewhere in our editorial content, and it does not guarantee that it will.

When an existing commercial relationship would reasonably affect how a reader evaluates a recommendation or endorsement, we disclose that relationship where appropriate.

Business and Event Submissions

Businesses, organizations, readers, and event organizers may submit events, classes, openings, programs, recommendations, or other information to Magic Years without purchasing advertising.

Submitting information does not guarantee that it will be published.

An unpaid submission does not become sponsored content simply because the information came from the business or organization being discussed.

Magic Years retains editorial discretion over whether and how submitted information is used.

Complimentary Products, Tickets and Experiences

Magic Years or people contributing to Magic Years may occasionally receive a complimentary or discounted product, ticket, service, experience, or other benefit.

When that relationship could reasonably affect how a reader evaluates a recommendation or endorsement, we disclose it.

Receiving something for free or at a discount does not guarantee coverage or a favorable recommendation.

Recommendations

Some things we recommend have no commercial relationship with Magic Years. Others may involve an affiliate, sponsorship, complimentary product, or another material connection.

A recommendation reflects our editorial judgment or the information available to us at the time. It is not a guarantee that a product, service, event, activity, or business will be right for every child or family.

Parents and caregivers should make their own decisions based on their circumstances.

Advertiser Claims and Third-Party Transactions

Advertisers and other commercial partners are responsible for the claims, offers, prices, products, and services they provide.

Magic Years may review advertising for fit, clarity, or other editorial and commercial standards, but publication of an advertisement does not mean that Magic Years independently verifies or guarantees every claim made by an advertiser.

We do not knowingly accept advertising that we believe is deceptive or misleading, and we may reject or remove advertising at our discretion.

Unless we expressly say otherwise, Magic Years does not manufacture, sell, fulfill, warrant, or provide third-party products, tickets, services, or experiences promoted through the Services.

Any purchase, reservation, booking, return, refund, warranty, or other transaction is between you and the applicable third party and is subject to that party’s terms and policies.

What We Won’t Build the Business Around

Commercial content still has to fit Magic Years.

We avoid advertising built around shame, fear, fake urgency, or unsupported claims about a child’s health or development. We also reserve the right to decline advertising that we believe is misleading, inappropriate for our audience, or inconsistent with Magic Years.

Our editorial standard is simple: paid content should still be useful enough that it makes sense in a publication for parents and caregivers.

Our Goal

Advertising helps keep Magic Years free.

Our goal is to make commercial relationships understandable without turning the newsletter into a wall of ads. You shouldn’t have to guess when a recommendation or piece of content involves a material commercial relationship.