Yeah I think that’s where the misunderstanding is. As users of this forum we “police” the sources with reviews and blind testing, also holding the sources accountable and demanding testing on their side as well. Some very recent changes in source requirements actually demands HPLC testing. Some sources choose to pay to keep this site functioning. But the ads and sponsors really shouldn’t be viewed as promoting. I know this can be viewed that way from newer users that’s just a choice a source made to pay money and has nothing to do with the quality of the source or their products. As members we encourage all users to carefully review and evaluate the sources and testing has been made very easy and accessible. Also this section is uncensored so when a source does something wrong it is here forever for everyone to see. That’s why bad source threads are not removed. They might be banned but the thread stays so people can have the information to make an educated decision and a source can’t hide it because it’s always here.
It’s up to each and every individual to read, research and evaluate. All the information is here and sponsorship is not promoting of a source, it’s just sources that paid some money to keep this site rolling.
To edit my other statement. I have recently used one source in the sponsor list to test them out. I just realized they are in that section.