I receive a large number of requests to review products, but I don’t accept the vast majority of them. I carefully pre-screen vendors to ensure they align with my values and standards. I typically stick to larger, well-known brands that my audience is likely to encounter, ensuring the products I review are relevant and useful for my viewers.
When I do agree to review a product, my goal is to provide honest, technical feedback directly to the brand while giving a detailed breakdown of how the product works for my viewers. I don’t believe in tearing a product apart over minor issues. Instead, I aim to help brands improve their offerings by highlighting areas for improvement. My focus is on making products better for everyone, not just pointing out flaws for entertainment’s sake.
I want to be clear and upfront about how this channel is funded and how brand relationships work. My goal is to share honest, practical smart home content without turning every video into an ad.
Below is exactly how different types of videos are supported and how they’re labeled.
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Product Videos
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🤝 Sponsored Video (Dedicated Product Video)
What it is
A video focused primarily on one product or brand, created in partnership with the manufacturer. These are typically product “overviews” and not full “reviews”. I typically only have a short amount of time with the product. I will always let my viewers know this.
What the brand typically provides/requires:
- A requested posting window or deadline
- A suggested feature or theme they’d like highlighted
- An opportunity to review the video before publishing (to ensure the above is covered).
How review works
- Brands may review a draft to check for factual accuracy or clarify details
- I control testing, structure, and conclusions. If an issue is found, I send detailed feedback to the brand. If they are able to solve it, great! If not, they have been given a heads up and it will be mentioned in the video.
- Brands do not approve opinions or force positive outcomes
- If we don’t agree on the final direction, the video is not published
How it’s labeled
- 🤝 Sponsored Video
- Disclosed clearly in the video and description
🧩 Sponsored Segment (Video Sponsor)
What it is
A brand sponsors a portion of a video but is not the main subject of the content.
What this means
- The sponsor is separate from the product or topic being discussed
- Sponsors do not influence what products are reviewed or the opinions shared
- The rest of the video remains independent and editorial
- A sponsor might review the sponsor segment, but not the rest of the video.
- I do my best to vet the sponsor before even starting talks.
How it’s labeled
- 🧩 Video Sponsor
- Disclosed verbally during the sponsored segment and in the description
🎁 Gifted Product (Not Sponsored)
What it is
A brand provides a product for review, but no payment is involved.
What the brand does not control
- No required posting timeline
- No review or approval of the video
- No control over conclusions or opinions
What this means for viewers
- I decide whether a video is made at all
- I control testing, format, and final take
- Some gifted products never turn into videos
How it’s labeled
- 🎁 Gifted Product
- Disclosed in the video and description
💰 Purchased by Me
What it is
Products bought with my own money, with no brand involvement.
How it’s labeled
- 💰 Purchased by Me
Project Videos
- 🔨 Standard Project: No products were given specifically for this project, and it was created purely from my own resources.
- 🛠️ Project with Integration: A brand provided a product to be integrated into a larger project. I still maintain full creative control and give an honest assessment of how the product performs within the project.
Affiliate Links
For most videos, the product links I post are affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links, but it doesn’t affect the price you pay or influence my opinions on the product. I only recommend products I personally use or genuinely think will add value to your smart home setup.