Partner FAQ.
The questions we get most often from prospective partners and custom-build clients. If yours is not here, send a note through the contact form. We would rather answer it than have you guess.
Who is RevApple's partner program for?
Two distinct groups. Public-property partners show up by name on the reference sites we publish: machine and tooling makers, finishing and service shops, material suppliers, and editorial contributors. Custom-build clients are organizations we build a private reference site for, typically procurement teams, engineering organizations, or executive leadership. The partners page covers both.
What's the difference between a public-property partner and a custom-build client?
A public-property partner appears on a RevApple site that anyone can read. A custom-build client is a company we build a private site for, behind their own access controls, with their own data. Same editorial discipline. Different audience.
How do I apply?
One form on the partners page covers both tracks. Pick "Public-property partner" or "Custom-build inquiry" in the type selector and the form routes accordingly.
Is the public-property program just paid advertising?
No. "Partner" means a real named placement: a verified directory listing, a contributor byline, or a clearly labeled sponsorship, all governed by our disclosure and the editorial firewall. We do not run consumer affiliate-network links. The placement is the point, not a hidden link.
Can sponsorship buy a better ranking, recommendation, or guide placement?
No. Editorial firewall is non-negotiable. If anyone on our sales or business side attempts to negotiate ranking, it gets logged and reported to the standards committee. The rule is not a marketing line.
Will my placement show up when readers query AI search tools?
That is the point. We engineer pages to Generative Engine Optimization standards so that when ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or Gemini answers a procurement-stage question, our pages are the source it cites and the named partner on that page surfaces with it. We track AI citations across the major engines and include the data in your monthly partner report. Details on the AI search page.
What do you require from an accepted public-property partner?
Accurate company information, a working contact, and a willingness to be cited correctly. For directory listings: verified capabilities, contact details, certifications, and (for service shops) a defined service area. For editorial contributors: a brief on the proposed piece and at least one named primary source.
How does a custom build start?
With a short discovery call. We define the decision the site supports, the audiences who use it, and the sources it pulls from. A mutual NDA goes on file before any client data is exchanged. Full process on the Custom builds page.
How is custom-build pricing structured?
Project-based for the initial build, plus an ongoing editorial-maintenance retainer that keeps spec data, pricing, and source links current. Pricing depends on scope, sources, and maintenance cadence. We provide a written estimate after the discovery call.
Who owns the custom-build site and the data?
You do. The site lives behind your access controls (SSO, IP allow-list, or password gate, as you prefer). Hosting can be on your infrastructure, on infrastructure we maintain, or in your existing CMS. We do not publish, mirror, or reuse client data on our public properties.
Does a custom build work with our internal AI assistants?
Yes, by design. Every page is engineered to the same standards we apply to our public sites so internal AI copilots, vendor LLMs, and RAG pipelines can ground their answers in your private reference site instead of hallucinating from training data.
Do you require exclusivity?
No. We do not ask partners to leave other platforms, networks, or directories. We do ask that the information you provide to us be at least as accurate and complete as what you publish elsewhere.
How are partners paid (or charged)?
Editorial contributors are paid by RevApple per piece, net-30. Directory and sponsorship partners are invoiced quarterly per a written agreement. Custom-build clients are invoiced against the project SOW plus the maintenance retainer.
Is RevApple a US company? Can non-US partners or clients work with us?
Yes, RevApple, LLC is a North Carolina company. Our primary audience is in the United States, but we accept partners and clients globally when the work serves the audience, particularly in the UK, EU, and Canada. Non-US partners are paid by international wire or PayPal, subject to W-8 tax-form requirements.
What about tax forms and compliance?
Standard. US business partners provide a W-9. Non-US partners provide a W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. We do not process payments until paperwork is on file. We do not share partner tax information with any third party except the IRS or our accountant, as required.
What happens if you decline my application?
You get a short note from editorial explaining why. The most common reasons: not a fit for the audience, the product is not what the page needs, or our calendar is full for the quarter. You are welcome to apply again as your offering or our beats evolve.
How do I report a problem or appeal a decision?
Use the contact form and set the topic to Editorial. We treat partner concerns the same way we treat reader corrections. A named editor reads it. Decisions can be appealed once to the editorial standards committee.
Ready to apply or inquire?
The form takes three minutes. Editorial reads everything.