Do Third Party Affiliates Require NMLS License for Loan Products?

[Charles Lecky]

I am curious about these websites like Nerdwallet or Smartasset. These personal finance websites do not directly mortgage products themselves.  They provide affiliate links and reviews; they also disclose their advertisement sponsorship.  So do these two companies require NMLS licenses to operate since they are not offering the loans themselves?  If they are required NMLS licenses, then do they have more strict guidelines to follow?

Thanks