Affiliate Disclosure

Transparency is essential to everything we publish at Custom Mechanical Keyboards. In compliance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, this page explains how our website earns revenue, which affiliate programs we participate in, and how our editorial analysis remains fully independent from commercial partnerships.

Affiliate Links and How They Work

Some links throughout our articles, buying guides, and comparison tables are affiliate links. When you click on one of these links and complete a purchase, Custom Mechanical Keyboards may earn a small referral commission from the seller.

This referral payment comes directly from the merchant's marketing budget. It never increases the purchase price you pay. Whether you navigate directly to a retailer or reach them through our site, the price, warranties, and terms remain identical.

Our Research Methodology & Specification-Based Analysis

Our editorial team organizes information to help enthusiasts navigate the technical intricacies of mechanical keyboards. To remain completely transparent about our process, our evaluations compare published specifications and current listings across multiple sources; we do not conduct hands-on testing.

Instead, our editorial focus relies on deep analysis of publicly available engineering sheets, manufacturer blueprints, and verified retailer documentation:

• Julian Vance (Barebone Kits & PCB Architecture Editor) examines documented PCB mount styles, hotswap socket durability ratings, micro-controller firmware support (such as QMK and VIA), and case acoustic dampening provisions.
• Clara Solis (Switch Mechanics & Materials Editor) tracks published actuation force curves, bottom-out travel distances, spring metallurgy, and stem/housing polymer formulations such as POM, polycarbonate, and nylon blends.
• Marcus Sterling (Keycap Profiles & Fitment Editor) evaluates geometric profiles (Cherry, OEM, MT3, SA), spacebar row spacing, stem fit tolerances, and polymer densities between ABS and PBT sets.

Strict Editorial Independence

Affiliate partnerships never determine which barebone kits, mechanical switches, or keycaps we cover. We do not accept paid placements, sponsored reviews, or merchant compensation designed to influence an evaluation.

Our editors evaluate products strictly according to their listed specifications, structural features, and community market viability. If a barebone kit lacks essential features like south-facing switch sockets or screw-in stabilizer compatibility, we highlight those omissions regardless of whether the product offers an affiliate program.

Affiliate Programs We Use

Custom Mechanical Keyboards partners with reputable e-commerce platforms and niche keyboard component distributors. We primarily work with:

• The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program enabling sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.
• Dedicated keyboard parts vendors and peripheral merchant affiliate networks that distribute switches, DIY kits, and custom keycap sets.

Using our links supports the ongoing maintenance of our technical guides and specification breakdowns at no additional cost to you. If you have questions regarding our editorial process, please visit our dedicated Contact page.