This page answers some of the most common questions about how we organize the Made in the USA Matters Product Directory, how we determine which brands qualify as Made in the USA, and how you can share brands or products we may have missed.
Our goal is to make supporting American-made products and U.S. manufacturers simple, transparent, and accessible for everyone.
Using the Directory
Whether you’re shopping for something specific or exploring new categories, our goal is to make browsing easy. Here’s how to use the directory to find precisely what you’re looking for.
How do I find what I’m looking for?
Our Products Directory is organized by category – clothing, housewares, patio & garden, sports & recreation, and more. Each page highlights brands made in the USA that produce related items. Simply browse by category to discover verified American-made products in every part of daily life.
What if I want to know about a specific brand?
Head to our Brands A-Z list. From there, you can click on any brand name to see every page it appears on and learn more about its products and manufacturing details.
Made in the USA vs. Global Production
The phrase “Made in the USA” can mean different things depending on how and where a product is made. While the FTC sets strict standards for when a product can legally carry that label, we use the term more broadly to guide shoppers toward brands that still manufacture, assemble, or source a significant portion of their products within the United States.
Are all of the listed brands’ products 100% made in the USA?
Sometimes, but not always. In today’s global economy, some brands manufacture entirely in the United States, while others produce certain lines or product types here. Even locally owned businesses may source components internationally. When possible, we note these distinctions so you can make informed choices.
👉 Learn more: Editorial Policy & Made in USA Criteria
Do you include brands that make some of their products overseas?
Yes, when appropriate. Our mission is to help readers find and support products made in the USA. If a company still manufactures part of its line domestically, we include it and guide readers to those specific items.
While 100% U.S. production is rare today, purchasing their American-made lines sends a clear message that American manufacturing matters.
👉 See more: Categorized Product Directories
Understanding “Made in the USA”
What does “Made in the USA” legally mean?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sets the legal standards for when a product can be marketed as “Made in the USA.” According to the FTC, a product must be “all or virtually all” made in the United States, meaning the significant parts, processing, and labor must be of U.S. origin. While our directory uses the term more broadly to guide shoppers toward American-made products, we follow the same spirit of accuracy and transparency outlined in the FTC’s guidance.
The guide explains:
- The legal definition of “Made in USA.”
- What qualifies as “all or virtually all” made domestically.
- The difference between unqualified and qualified claims.
- How to use terms like “Assembled in the USA” or “Made in USA with global materials.”
- What documentation companies should keep to support their claims.
It’s the primary federal reference used by regulators, journalists, and manufacturers.
👉 Prefer a summary without the legal jargon? See: FTC Made in USA Requirements (in Plain English)
Why do some listings say “Assembled in the USA”?
When only final assembly happens in the U.S., but materials or components come from elsewhere, the product may qualify as “Assembled in the USA.” We include these listings when domestic labor or production still plays a meaningful role, and we clearly label them to avoid confusion.
We also use our own editorial judgment, especially in categories where there are few, or sometimes no, fully Made in USA brands or products available. In those cases, we may highlight companies that still assemble or manufacture part of their product line in the United States to help readers find the best American-made options possible.
👉 Learn more: Editorial Policy & Made in USA Criteria
Affiliate Links, Advertising & Trust
We value your trust. Here’s how Made in the USA Matters stays transparent about affiliate links, brand listings, and how we keep our content accurate and independent.
Does Made in the USA Matters get paid to list brands?
No. We never accept payment for placement in our directories. Some links may be affiliate links, which means we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no additional cost to you). This helps support the site, but it never influences which brands we include.
👉 Learn more: Editorial Policy & Affiliate Disclosure
How do I know I can trust your information?
Every brand and product is researched before being listed. We review company disclosures, production details, and reader feedback, and we update pages regularly as information changes.
Missing Brands & Products
We do our best to keep the directory up to date, but sometimes brands slip through the cracks. If you don’t see your favorite Made in USA brand or product listed, here’s how to help us find and add it.
My brand (or product) is made in the USA but isn’t listed. Why?
A few possible reasons:
- We don’t have a category for it yet.
- We couldn’t verify U.S. production.
- We simply missed it.
Here’s what you can do:
- Search our Products Directory to confirm there’s a relevant category.
- Check our Brands A–Z List to see if your brand is already mentioned.
- If a fitting category exists, share your brand in the comments of that page.
- If you’re the brand owner, please mention that so we can reach out if needed.
- That’s the fastest way to get added during our next update cycle.
- Link to madeintheusamatters.com. One of the top ways we find brands is when they appear in our stats as a traffic referrer.
- You can also share your brand in our Facebook Group, where readers and makers regularly exchange information about American-made products.
Getting Involved
We love it when readers help grow and improve the directory. Here’s how you can share updates, collaborate, or connect with the community.
How can I share a brand or update a listing?
If you know of a product or brand made in the USA that we’ve missed, please leave a comment on the most relevant directory page. Sharing your finds helps keep the directory accurate and growing.
Are you on social media?
Yes, we’re on Facebook, but our readers truly run the show there. Our Facebook group is where shoppers, brand owners, and American manufacturing supporters share new finds, post updates, and help each other discover products made in the USA.
👉 Join the Community: Made in USA Facebook Group
Can I collaborate with Made in the USA Matters?
We love collaborating with journalists, bloggers, and American-made brands on stories, interviews, spotlights, and educational content.
Learn More About Made in the USA Matters
If you’re new here or curious about the mission behind Made in the USA Matters, these quick answers will help you get to know us better and explore the pages that tell our story.
What is Made in the USA Matters?
Made in the USA Matters is a trusted Made in USA website dedicated to helping shoppers discover American-made brands and the people who make them.
👉 Learn more: Who We Are
What makes Made in the USA Matters different from other websites?
We combine research, consumer education, and verified directories to make finding products made in the USA simple and transparent. Every brand is carefully reviewed before being added to the site.
👉 Read more: About Made in the USA Matters
How does Made in the USA Matters verify brands?
We research company disclosures, review U.S. production claims, and note when only certain product lines are made in the United States.
👉 See details: Editorial Policy & Made in USA Criteria
Where can I learn more about the people behind Made in the USA Matters?
Visit our About page to meet the editor, learn how this project started, and discover how a personal passion for American-made products grew into a national resource.
👉 Meet the Editor: About Michelle, Editor and Lead Writer
What’s the best page to start with?
Start with Who We Are to learn about our mission, process, and community. From there, explore our Product Directory to browse thousands of verified brands made in the USA.
Every question we receive helps make this resource stronger for the next shopper who wants to buy American-made.
💬 Have another question about Made in the USA brands or products? Share it in the comments. We’re always updating and adding to the directory.
