How We Verify Freebies
Every listing on FreebieRadar is manually reviewed by a real person before it goes live. Here's exactly what we check — and what gets a listing rejected.
How we verify freebies is straightforward: every submission is checked against a five-point checklist by a real member of our team before it's approved. The internet is full of fake sample offers, expired deals, and misleading "free" products with hidden costs — our review process exists to filter those out. Listings that don't pass are rejected, no exceptions. Below is a full breakdown of exactly what we check and why.
Our 5-Point Verification Checklist
Offer Page Must Load and Claim Process Must Work
Our team visits the claim link and walks through the process. We confirm the offer page loads correctly, the claim form is functional, and the process can be completed without errors. We also check that the page doesn't redirect to unrelated content, require app downloads not mentioned in the listing, or present bait-and-switch offers where claiming leads to a different product or a paid upsell.
Rejected if: Dead claim link, broken form, redirect to unrelated page, or claim process requires steps not disclosed in the listing.
The Brand Must Be a Real, Identifiable Company
Anonymous freebie offers are a major red flag. Before approving any listing, we verify that the brand is a real company with a traceable public presence — an official website, verifiable social media accounts, or a registered business entity. We cross-reference the brand name with their online presence to confirm they are who they claim to be. Offers from unidentifiable sources or recently created websites with no history receive additional scrutiny.
Rejected if: Brand cannot be identified, contact information is missing or fake, or the company has a history of not fulfilling sample requests.
Shipping Cost Must Be Accurately Stated
One of the most common tricks in the freebie space is advertising a "free" product with hidden shipping charges that sometimes exceed the product's retail value. We verify that the shipping cost listed on FreebieRadar matches what the brand actually charges. If a freebie includes free shipping, we confirm it. If there's a shipping fee, we disclose it clearly. Offers that add undisclosed fees during the claim process are rejected.
Rejected if: Hidden shipping costs, undisclosed fees revealed during checkout, or shipping charges that make the offer misleading.
Freebie Must Match Its Description
Misleading descriptions are one of the most common issues we catch. We verify that the freebie listed on FreebieRadar — product type, sample size, quantity, and any conditions — matches what the brand's offer page actually states. For physical samples, we check that the description is accurate. For digital freebies, we verify the content matches what's promised. For in-store offers, we confirm the redemption process and any purchase requirements.
Rejected if: Description is inflated, offer requires undisclosed purchase, or the listed freebie differs from what the brand actually offers.
The Offer Must Currently Be Available
We only publish listings for freebies that are available at the time of review. The offer availability is confirmed by testing the claim process, and we check for any stock limitations or expiration dates. Listings are automatically removed from the site once their deadline passes or they are confirmed out of stock. If an offer is announced but not yet available, it is held in a queue until it goes live.
Rejected if: The offer has not yet launched, the claim period has ended, the product is out of stock, or the claim form is non-functional.
What We Don't Guarantee
Our verification confirms that a freebie appears legitimate and available at the time of review. We cannot guarantee that brands will fulfill every sample request, that offer terms won't change after publication, or that stock levels will remain available. Free samples are distributed at the brand's discretion and subject to availability. We strongly recommend reading the offer terms yourself before claiming, and never providing payment information to receive a free product. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts — and report it to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you review every single listing?
Yes. Every listing that appears on FreebieRadar has been manually reviewed by a member of our team before it goes live. We do not auto-publish listings from any source.
What happens to listings that fail review?
They are rejected and never published. If a listing came from a brand submission, the brand is notified of the reason. We do not publish listings with unresolved verification issues.
How quickly are new listings reviewed?
Brand-submitted listings are reviewed within 24 hours. Listings sourced by our team are reviewed before they are added to the queue.
How does community voting factor into verification?
Each listing has a "Still Available?" voting widget where users can report whether the offer still works. If a listing receives a high rate of negative votes, our team re-reviews it and updates or removes it as needed.
How do you handle free trials vs. truly free samples?
We only list genuinely free offers — no credit card required, no subscription, no purchase. Free trials that require payment information are not listed on FreebieRadar, even if they offer a free period. If an offer is labeled as a free sample but turns out to be a trial, we remove it immediately.
Meet the people behind the reviews
Our moderation team brings years of freebie-hunting experience to every listing review. Meet the team →