Beginning December 1, 2009, the FTC requires webmasters to provide disclosures whenever there could be hidden interests or unspoken biases related to recommendations.
Per the FTC rules, if I interview someone and they grab the bill for lunch, I would need to specify this. Ditto if I use an Amazon link that gets me 8 cents instead of an Amazon link that gets me 0 cents. If someone gives me a comfy t-shirt with a logo and I wear it in a photo, same deal. Disclaimers all over the place.
This would be tedious for me and a continual eye sore for readers. But rules are rules.
To cover ourselves and preserve your reading experience, please assume that, for every recommendation, link, and product mentioned, this site receives compensation for referred sales of some or all mentioned products.