The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

11 Best Credit Cards For Subscriptions (March 2024)

Best Credit Cards For Subscriptions
Matt Walker

Written by: Matt Walker

Matt Walker
Matt Walker

Copywriter and credit card strategist Matt Walker leverages his 15-plus years of experience to cover the finance industry through comprehensive consumer guides and in-depth features. His vast knowledge of the ins and outs of finance allows him to translate complex financial topics into readable articles suited for credit newbies and the most seasoned, tech-savvy investors alike. Matt’s straightforward language highlights the latest developments in the industry — from credit cards to credit unions — and informs consumers on how they can benefit from them.

Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Advertiser Disclosure

The subscription economy has grown by more than 400% in recent years. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by banks, who have curated some of the best credit cards for subscriptions.

Whether you’re a Netflix and chill type of person, would like to broaden your music catalog with Spotify, or want to settle in to read the book of the month on Audible, there’s a subscription for just about any hobby or interest.

And while most of these subscriptions are paid monthly, the best card options below offer rewards that can lower your subscription fees and even give you added benefits to your monthly plan.

Food | Streaming | Amazon | Other Subscriptions | FAQs

Best Cards For Food Subscriptions (HelloFresh, Postmates, Etc.)

If you’re more into steaming than streaming, a good food subscription may be for you.

Whether you like food you can prepare yourself, or a fresh-cooked meal delivered to your doorstep from your favorite restaurant, these cards provide benefits that can make your next lunch or dinner much more affordable.

Instacart Mastercard® Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

  • Get a free year of Instacart+ and a $100 Instacart credit automatically upon approval. Membership auto-renews. Terms apply.
  • Earn 5% cash back on Instacart app and Instacart.com purchases
  • Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel Center, including flights, hotels and more
  • Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations and on select streaming services
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • No annual card fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.24% - 28.99% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Instacart Mastercard® is the card to have if you have (or want) an Instacart membership. You’ll earn 5% back on Instacart purchases, plus rewards on other purchases as well. There’s no annual fee, and your rewards can be redeemed for cash back, travel, or to pay for Instacart purchases.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers slightly lower rewards than its sibling, but doesn’t charge an annual fee. With this card, you’ll earn 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores, and entertainment — including many popular meal subscription services — as well as 1% on all other purchases.

American Express® Gold Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
  • Earn 4X Points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases. Also earn 4X Points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 3X points on flights when booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. All other eligible purchases earn 1X point.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, Boxed and other participating partners. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • Delight your senses when you book The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel. Get a $100 experience credit to use during your stay. A minimum 2-night stay is required.
  • $250 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
20.49% - 28.49% Pay Over Time
$250
Excellent

The American Express® Gold Card provides 4X points for restaurant purchases and a $10 monthly Uber credit, which can be used for Uber Eats deliveries. The benefit is good for up to $120 annually, and is credited to your Uber Cash balance, which you can then use to help pay for a future order (or an Uber ride, whichever you prefer).

Best Cards For Streaming Services (HBO, Netflix, Etc.)

Gone are the days of heading to Blockbuster to rent a movie or to Turtles to look for a new record or CD. Today, you can watch thousands of movies or listen to millions of songs without leaving your couch or struggling to remove the wrapping from a DVD or CD case.

And, with one of the cards below, you can lower the cost associated with accessing these media libraries.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • Earn $250 back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year on purchases (then 1%). Also earn 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
  • Earn 3% cash back on transit, including U.S. gas stations, taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more. All other purchases earn 1% cash back.
  • $120 Equinox Credit - Use your Blue Cash Preferred Card to pay for Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com and receive $10 in monthly statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • 0% intro APR for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable APR applies
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 12 months
N/A
18.49% - 29.49% Variable
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Excellent Credit

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express pays out a whopping 6% cash back when you charge any U.S.-based streaming subscription to the card. That significantly cuts the cost of popular services, including Netflix, HBO Now, and Spotify.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 3% cash back per eligible streaming service you charge to the card to help cut down the cost of your favorite subscriptions. Eligible streaming services include: Apple.com, iTunes, Apple Music, Bandcamp, DirecTV, Disney+, ESPN+, FuboTV, HBO Now, Hulu, Netflix, Peacock, Sirius XM, Sling TV, Spotify, Starz Entertainment, and Tidal.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
  • Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Average, Fair, Limited

If you’re a student, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is for you. It offers the same rewards as the card above, but doesn’t require a good credit history for approval. It is designed for students to help them build their credit, and upon graduation, may become the non-student version of the card.

Best Cards For Amazon Prime Subscriptions

Amazon’s popular Prime membership made its debut in 2006 as a way for members to get free two-day shipping on qualifying Amazon orders. Over the years, Prime has expanded into a media subscription that provides access to a substantial music, movie, and television database — while still offering the same shipping perks.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0
  • Earn 5% cash back at Aamzon.com and Whole Foods market
  • Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% back on all other purchases
  • Exclusively for customers with an eligible Prime membership
  • Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval
  • See your rewards balance during checkout at Amazon.com and easily use rewards to pay for all or part of your purchase — no minimum rewards balance to redeem rewards
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
14.24% - 22.24%
$0 (Prime Membership Required)
Good/Excellent

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card adds to its popular service by providing cardholders with 5% cash back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Markets, as well as 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores. All other purchases earn an unlimited 1% cash back. New cardholders also receive an Amazon gift card upon approval.

Amazon Business Prime Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0
  • Welcome Offer: Receive a $125 Amazon.com gift card upon approval
  • 5% Back or 90 Days Terms on U.S. purchases at Amazon Business, AWS, Amazon.com, and Whole Foods Market with an eligible Prime membership on the first $120,000 in purchases each calendar year, 1% Back thereafter
  • 2% Back on U.S. purchases at restaurants, gas stations, and wireless phone services purchased directly from service providers
  • 1% Back on all other eligible purchases
  • Expense management tools to help you track and organize expenses
  • $0 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
18.74% - 26.74% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card is the business version of the card above, offering the same generous rewards for Amazon purchases and renewal fees. There is no annual fee, but you will still need to pay the Prime Membership fee. It is one of the best business credit card options out there if you regularly make Amazon purchases.

Best Cards For Other Subscriptions (Ipsy, BarkBox, Etc.)

Subscriptions aren’t just for food or media. Whether you’re into beauty supplies, fashion, or pet accessories, there’s a subscription for you. The cards below help you unlock discounts and bonus cash back when you use them to pay your monthly bill.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
0% Intro APR Period 18 months on Balance Transfers
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good, Fair

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

The Citi Double Cash® Card doesn’t offer a specific deal for subscription purchases, but its 2X points on all purchases makes up for it. With this card, you’ll earn 1 point when you make a purchase and 1 more point when you pay it off, no matter the purchase.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers 3% cash back in the category of your choosing — one of which is online shopping — up to the quarterly purchase limit. This includes subscriptions you sign up for online. You’ll also earn 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs as well as 1% back on all other purchases.

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

With the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you won’t pay an annual fee while earning cash back (in the form of Chase Ultimate Reward points) on all of your purchases — including subscription services. And if you own one of the Chase Sapphire cards, you can transfer your credit card rewards to your Sapphire card and get a 25% to 50% value boost, depending on the card you have.

Can You Use a Credit Card For Monthly Subscriptions?

Yes, in fact, many streaming services require a credit card for monthly payments.

While some services allow you to link an active checking account to make monthly ACH payments (which can be done through PayPal), you’ll find that many services prefer you use a credit card. This helps them avoid declined transactions for insufficient funds.

The rise in popularity of subscription-based services has many credit card issuers partnering with such services — like Amex partnering with Uber — to offer discounts, added bonuses, and other perks for cardholders who choose to use the issuer’s card to pay for their subscription.

Whether it’s the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express offering 6% cash back on streaming services or the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offering 4% cash back on dining and delivery, you can find a better deal when you use the right card to maintain your favorite account. (Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.)

Just remember that those added perks only become worthwhile if you pay your bill on time and in full each month. While 6% cash back is substantial, it’s very little compared to the 20% or more in interest you’ll pay for your purchases if you allow the balance to roll over on your card each month.

By paying the bill off each month and maximizing your potential perks, you can lower your costs and increase your entertainment budget virtually overnight.

Can I Dispute a Credit Card Charge For a Subscription?

You can dispute any charge to your credit card, within reason.

Once you file a dispute, the bank may freeze your card while it investigates the matter. The investigation will include contacting the subscription service provider to verify your account and whether you authorized the charge.

If the charge is found to be fraudulent, the bank will refund you the amount charged to your card. If the issuer finds you liable for the charge, it will simply let the charge remain, and, in some instances, close your account for fraudulently filing a dispute.

Fraud isn’t the only reason to dispute a charge. You may also file a dispute if the merchandise you received was defective, you see billing errors, or if you never received the item at all.

Banks often refer to filing a dispute over a charge you know is legitimate as “friendly fraud.” The practice costs card issuers billions in refunds and investigation expenses each year.

Before you call your credit card issuer to file a dispute, you should first understand what you can and cannot dispute. By researching your options, you can not only improve your financial know-how but also minimize your chances of unknowingly committing friendly fraud.

That’s a big deal because, depending on the size of the transaction you’re disputing, a fraudulent claim can result in criminal charges.

Can Prepaid Cards Be Used For Monthly Subscriptions?

Yes, they can. Prepaid cards work just as credit cards do, as long as there’s enough money loaded onto the card to fund the transaction.

Prepaid cards run on the same payment networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) as credit cards, and merchants generally accept them as they would any other card. Here are some of the best prepaid cards to use for subscription services:

Discover® Cashback Debit Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • Cashback – Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month
  • No. Fees. Period. That means you won’t be charged an account fee on our Cashback Debit account.
  • Early Pay – Get your paycheck up to two days early with no charge
  • No Credit Impact - You can apply without affecting your credit score.
  • Fraud Protection - You’re never responsible for unauthorized debit card purchases. If you suspect someone else has used your debit card without your permission, let us know.
  • Member FDIC
  • Fee-free overdraft protection
  • No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
  • Add cash into your account at Walmart stores nationwide
  • Cash access at over 60,000 no-fee ATMs nationwide
  • 100% US-based customer service available 24/7
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
$0
No Credit Needed
Chime® Checking Account Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0
  • Your Chime Checking Account comes with a Chime Visa® debit card, no monthly fees or maintenance fees.
  • Avoid out-of-network ATM fees and access to 60,000+ fee-free ATMs¹ — more than the top 3 national banks combined!
  • Direct deposits arrive up to 2 days early.²
  • Disclosures: Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
  • ¹Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
  • ²Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
$0
Not applicable
Brink’s Armored™ Account Review

at Netspend'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Brink’s knows Security! 24/7 access to a suite of security benefits to help keep your account armored.
  • Get access to over 100,000 Brink’s Money ATMs.
  • Get paid faster than a paper check with direct deposit.
  • Add funds to your Brink’s Armored Account and use Brinks Armored debit card anywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
  • Account opening is subject to registration and ID verification. Terms & fees Apply. Deposit Account is established by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
Variable Monthly Fees
Not applicable

Prepaid cards can’t be used for monthly subscriptions if you don’t have enough money in your card account to cover your purchase, whereas some credit cards allow you to slightly surpass your credit limit before declining the transaction. Prepaid cards offer no such protection.

You could experience a disruption in service or even cancellation of your account if you don’t have an adequate balance on your prepaid card when your subscription service attempts to charge your monthly fee. But with a sufficient balance, you can use the card to make regular purchases and sign up for recurring billing on your subscription-based accounts.

In fact, prepaid cards may be your best option to sign up for a subscription service if you don’t have a credit card or active checking account, but you’ll lose out on the added cash back savings and other perks a credit card will afford you.

Don’t Miss Out on Valuable Savings

Subscription services are a fun way to stream your favorite entertainment options, find new restaurants in your area, or just make your life more convenient by having a box of razors sent to you via Dollar Shave Club, for example.

Whatever your interests, you can take part in the booming subscription economy with one of the best credit cards for subscriptions listed above. These cards offer bonus cash back, free services, and other added perks you’d miss out on by charging these services to a debit card.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.