Disclosure & Independence Policy
This page says how we get gear, how we get paid, and what no one can buy. It follows the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's guides on endorsements and testimonials: every material connection is disclosed clearly, in the content itself, where you will see it.
Last updated October 17, 2026. Applies to https://ninjashutter.com and to every video we publish under the Ninja Shutter name.
1. How we get the gear
Every review states one of four things in its disclosure box, before any result:
- Purchased. We bought it at retail with our own money. No contact with the maker before purchase.
- Loaned. The maker lent the unit for testing and gets it back. A loan is a material connection and is disclosed.
- Gifted. The maker gave us the unit to keep. Free product is a material connection and is disclosed as such.
- Not yet obtained. The unit is queued and we do not have it. The box updates the moment that changes.
2. Sponsored content
A sponsored video or post is one a brand paid a flat fee for. It is labeled "Sponsored" in the title or opening of the page, on screen in the video, and in the spoken script near the start, not buried in a description. A sponsored piece is never presented as a review and never carries a verdict, chips, or a rating.
3. Affiliate links and codes
Some links earn us a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Where they appear:
- They are marked as affiliate or sponsored links next to the link.
- They carry
rel="sponsored noopener"in the page code. - The disclosure box on that page says the page contains affiliate links.
- In video, we say it out loud and put it on screen when we mention the link.
Commissions do not change a verdict. We put affiliate links only on gear that earned a buy verdict, and the verdict is written before any link is added.
4. What brands can and cannot do
- Brands may see a review before publish only to correct factual specs: weight, price, model name, included parts.
- Brands cannot edit, approve, delay, or kill a verdict, a chip, a rating, or a Buy it if or Skip it if list.
- Brands cannot buy a place in the queue, a better score, or a softer failure.
- Brands cannot buy a dofollow link. We do not sell them, at any price.
- Brands may ask for a correction after publish. If they are right, we fix it and note the change.
5. Independence of verdicts
Verdicts are written by Zach Thomas from the measurements in the test log and from use at real paid events. They are not influenced by how we got the unit, by ad or sponsor money, or by whether an affiliate link exists. A unit that fails at an event gets a failing verdict, whoever sent it.
6. Structured data and search
We add Review and Product markup to a page only after the four-stage log is finished and a real verdict exists. Queued and in-progress reviews carry no Review or Product schema. We do not publish estimated numbers or placeholder ratings anywhere on this site.
7. Shop
When the shop opens, product listings for tested gear link to the review and carry the same disclosure. If we earn a margin on a sale, that is stated on the listing.
8. Corrections
If we got a fact wrong, email hello@ninjashutter.com. Corrections are made on the page with a dated note. We do not quietly edit results.
9. Who we are
Ninja Shutter is run by Zach Thomas and is part of Apogee Event Productions, Salem, Oregon. Apogee rents photo booths and provides event entertainment. We disclose that because some gear we test competes with gear we rent, and you should know it.