No.
Sometimes I’ve been sent ‘stuff’. Mac apps, BBEdit window stickers, someone even sent me 4 CDs from their record label! I often get asked to link to, or promote, something. Sometimes I’m fortunate to have been a beta tester for various apps - desktop or web based. I love getting a sneaky peek of things, and having an opportunity to make suggestions.
I don’t always like them or find them worthwhile. You don’t get to hear about those (and there are quite a lot).
Sometimes I see something that I love, and I do want to use. I like it so much that I want to tell others about it. You get to hear about those - those are the things I like writing about.
Its taken me much deliberation before I even added Google Ads to a side-project ($4 over 3 months!! Wahey!!).
My point is: I don’t hype for the sake of it, or because I get some ‘deal’. I resent any implication of that. I just pimp things that I like, and that I want to tell others about. There’s never anything ‘in it for me’.
You know what I’m talking about.
(*Well maybe for Scotch Eggs.)