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Editorial independence
A hard wall separates the people who write our reviews from the people who manage commercial partnerships.
Independent research and testing
Every review and guide rests on verified research, hands-on testing and objective criteria. When two brokers offer near-identical services, the review reflects trading conditions, fees, execution and support, never which one pays a higher commission.
Scores are not for sale
Advertisers cannot buy a review verdict, a star rating or a methodology score. Even a broker spending heavily on ads cannot change its score; if testing finds execution delays or hidden fees, the review says so.
Compensation firewall
Writers, researchers and editors are paid fixed salaries based on the quality and accuracy of their work, never on affiliate conversions. A critical review that reduces sign-ups does not change anyone's pay.
Same standards for everyone
Every broker is scored with the same tests, criteria and 100-point scoring system, partner or not. Some positions are paid advertising, such as a featured card, a sponsored list position, a finder or awards spotlight or a promoted offer; these are marked "Ad" or "Sponsored" and never change the broker's rating.
Transparency and affiliate relationships
Affiliate programmes fund our free content. We are open about them and never let them compromise our work.
Clear disclosure
Broker reviews state: "FX Recap may earn a commission if you open an account through our links. This compensation does not affect our editorial evaluation or ratings."
Editorial control of links
Affiliate links are placed on editorial judgement and reader value alone. The editorial team can add, change or remove any link without commercial sign-off, and removes them at once if a partner raises regulatory concerns.
Sponsored content labelling
Sponsored articles carry a visible header such as "Sponsored Content" or "Paid Partnership with [Partner]" and distinct styling.
Verified data
Statistics and comparison data come from verified third-party sources, our own testing or direct platform analysis. We never publish advertiser-supplied numbers without checking them.
Full details: affiliate disclosure.
Advertising content standards
Every ad must meet these standards, which protect readers from misleading claims and predatory tactics.
| Standard | What it requires | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Truthful claims | Accurate, verifiable claims; no get-rich-quick, guaranteed or risk-free promises | Not allowed: "Turn $500 into $50,000 in 30 days with zero risk!" |
| 2. Transparent pricing | All costs, fees, spreads and subscription terms disclosed; no misleading "free" offers | "Free signals" ads must show premium tiers, trial costs and minimum deposits |
| 3. Content matches destination | The ad matches its landing page; no bait-and-switch | An EUR/USD signals ad must lead to a forex signals service |
| 4. Risk disclosure | Leveraged and high-risk products carry a risk warning | "Trading forex and CFDs involves significant risk of loss. Only invest capital you can afford to lose." |
| 5. Data privacy | No sensitive financial data requests without HTTPS, consent and privacy notices; no targeting by financial hardship | No card or bank details on an ad landing page |
| 6. Regulatory compliance | Advertised services must comply with regulation in their target markets | Unregulated brokers and unlicensed advisers cannot advertise |
Ad placements we do not allow
Ads imitating navigation, download buttons, system dialogs, close buttons or editorial headers.
Heavy animation, rapid blinking, moving arrows, fake countdown timers or artificial urgency.
Ads placed under headings like "Expert Analysis" or "Editorial Recommendations".
Pop-ups, pop-unders, auto-playing video with sound, full-screen ads or forced redirects.
Ads that cover content, block scrolling or force interaction before you can read.
Our reader experience commitment
- A clear visual line between editorial content and advertising.
- Prominent labelling of sponsored content and affiliate relationships.
- Fast page loads with minimal interference from ads.
- Mobile-friendly ad formats that do not disrupt reading.
- Zero tolerance for malware, phishing or any security threat in ads.
Paid reviews
A broker can pay a one-time fee for FX Recap to review it. The fee pays for our team's time to research and test the broker. It does not buy a rating, a ranking, a positive verdict or approval of the text.
Regulated brokers only
We accept a paid review only from a broker that holds a current licence from a recognised financial regulator, such as the FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, DFSA, MAS or FSA Seychelles. We check the licence on the regulator's own register before we start and keep a dated copy. A company registration, for example in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is not a licence. Brokers named in a regulator's warning are refused.
Same method, same scoring
A paid review uses the same tests and the same 100-point methodology as every other review. It can score low, and if testing finds high costs, slow withdrawals or other problems, the review says so.
No approval rights
The broker can correct facts with official evidence, like anyone else, under our right of reply. It cannot approve, edit or delay the review.
No refund for the result
The fee is not refunded because of the score or the findings.
Labelled
Every paid review carries the notice: "Paid review: [Broker] paid FX Recap to review its services. The rating follows our broker methodology and was not seen or approved by [Broker] before publication."
Kept current
If the broker loses its licence or a regulator issues a warning about it, we update the review straight away and end any paid placement.
Terms for advertisers
Every booking, whether a placement, a sponsored article or a paid review, is made on these terms. They apply alongside our advertising guidelines and Terms of Use.
Licences
The advertiser confirms that it holds the licences it claims for every market its advertising reaches, and will tell FX Recap within 7 days if any licence is suspended, withdrawn or restricted, or a regulator issues a warning about it.
Local advertising rules
The advertiser is responsible for following the financial promotion and advertising rules of every country its ads target, including any requirement for its promotions to be approved by an authorised firm. FX Recap may limit an ad to the countries where the advertiser is licensed.
Editorial control
Advertising buys labelled visibility only. It gives no say over reviews, ratings, rankings, awards, news or analysis.
Labels
Every paid placement is marked "Ad" or "Sponsored", sponsored links carry
rel="sponsored", and paid reviews carry the paid review notice. These labels cannot be removed on request.Removal and refunds
FX Recap may pause or remove any ad at any time, including after a regulator warning, a reader complaint or a breach of these terms. Unused paid time for a placement is refunded pro rata when we remove an ad for reasons other than the advertiser's breach. Review fees are not refunded once the review has started.
Responsibility
The advertiser is responsible for its claims, offers, landing pages and services, and indemnifies FX Recap against claims arising from them.
Records
We keep a record of each booking: what was bought, the dates it ran, where it appeared and the licence check made before it started.
Our rights and enforcement
Content approval
We may reject, change, pause or remove any ad, sponsored content or affiliate partnership at any time, without prior notice.
Quality standards
Ads that fail our accuracy, transparency or reader-protection standards are removed immediately, even mid-campaign.
Advertiser accountability
Advertisers carry full legal responsibility for their claims and regulatory obligations. Submitting an ad certifies that it is legally compliant.
Ending relationships
We may end any advertising, affiliate or sponsorship agreement over policy breaches, reader complaints or regulatory concerns.
Policy updates
We may update this policy from time to time. Continuing to advertise after an update means accepting the revised terms.
Detailed creative rules are in our advertising guidelines.
Our commitment to you
- Editorial integrity: commercial relationships never influence analysis, ratings or recommendations.
- Transparency: every affiliate relationship, sponsored post and ad partnership is disclosed.
- Reader protection: strict standards keep out misleading claims, predatory tactics and security threats.
- Free content: affiliate revenue funds research, testing and education that stay free.
- Monitoring: regular checks make sure advertisers keep meeting our standards.
- Your feedback: concerned about an ad or sponsored piece? Tell us; we investigate promptly.
The short version: partnerships pay the bills, but they never buy our opinion.