How We Make Money
Last updated: April 16, 2026
Rifle Optics World is free to read and we do not run display ads. The site is funded by affiliate commissions paid to us by retailers when you buy through our outbound links. Here is exactly how that works.
Our affiliate partners
We participate in the following affiliate networks and merchant programs: AvantLink (Primary Arms, Vector Optics, Brownells, Natchez, EuroOptic, Optics Planet, Palmetto State Armory, Midway, CMMG, Magpul, Sportsman's Guide, Sportsman's Warehouse, Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore, Classic Firearms, Blue Force Gear, Otis Technology) and CJ / Impact.com (Impact Guns).
When you click a "Shop" or retailer link and complete a purchase, the network pays us a percentage commission — typically 3% to 10% depending on the merchant and product category. You pay the same price whether or not you use our link.
What affiliate commissions do not change
- Our Optics Score. The 0-100 score is driven by the same five weighted factors for every optic. Merchants cannot pay to raise a score.
- Our verdicts. If an optic is a bad buy we say so, even when we make a commission on it.
- Ranking order. Best-of lists are sorted by Optics Score, not by commission rate.
What affiliate commissions do change
- Which retailers we link. If two merchants carry the same optic at the same price and one is an affiliate partner, we link the affiliate partner.
- What we can cover. Affiliate revenue pays for reviews of the products shooters actually buy. Without it the site would not exist.
Editorial independence
Our editorial guidelines and scoring methodology are public. If you think we have missed the mark on a review, tell us — editorial@rifleopticsworld.com.