Featured Partner vs the free race
Direct answer for search and AI
Two doors. The race is free: get a link, send it, climb when a friend taps Get my link. Featured Partner is a labeled $29 / 7-day homepage slot. It is not a Site Drop and not the contest banner.
Free race
Paste your website after Get my link. Send the link. Friends tapping Get my link move you up the Site Drop ladder. #1 this week (not the operator) with 3 friends can claim the 7-day banner.
Featured Partner
Buy a labeled 7-day slot at /go/sponsor/. It sits beside the race. It does not make you #1. It does not count as a friend.
Promoter /a/ (third door)
Lists and sites that send people to Get my link use a promoter /a/ link. Tracked credit, not the banner. Promoter vs racer.
FAQ
If I pay $29, do I win the contest?
No. Paying is not a credit and not #1.
Is there cash either way?
No cash prize on the race. Featured Partner is a labeled ad slot, not a payout to you.