Last updated: June 15, 2026
The short version
Mortgage Merlin is a free, advertising- and affiliate-supported publisher. Some of the outbound links on this site are partner links. If you click one and later open an account, get matched with a lender, or have a loan funded, the partner may pay us a referral fee or commission. You never pay more because you used our link.
What a partner link looks like
We label compensated links and buttons where they appear, and partner links carry a rel="sponsored" attribute. Links to source material — the CFPB, HUD, IRS, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and similar — are never affiliate links.
How compensation does (and does not) affect rankings
It does not. We do not order, rank or preference lenders by who pays us, and a partner cannot buy a better placement, score or recommendation. Comparisons are arranged on editorial merit and clearly disclosed where any placement is sponsored. This reflects our reading of consumer protections including RESPA Section 8 and CFPB guidance on neutral comparison tools.
Why we monetize this way
Affiliate and advertising revenue lets us keep the guides, calculators and comparisons free for borrowers — especially self-employed, 1099, newcomer and ITIN borrowers who are under-served by mainstream sites. We would rather be paid by partners than put our tools behind a paywall.
We are a publisher, not a lender
Mortgage Merlin is not a lender or mortgage broker and does not take loan applications. When you connect with a partner, that partner owns the application, your consent and your data. See our disclaimer and how we make money for the full picture, and our privacy policy for how data is handled.
Questions about a specific link? Reach us through the contact link in the footer.