Perhaps if the creator had clearly disclosed at the top of the list that a) links contain affiliate codes and b) just trying to pay for a good service that they

Perhaps if the creator had clearly disclosed at the top of the list that a) links contain affiliate codes and b) just trying to pay for a good service that they'd like to expand, then perhaps there would be less vitriol. But without disclosure, then whether tasteful or "sensible" (what does this even mean here?), it can easily come across as deceptive.