I apologize if this topic has been made before.

If it's an ad site or a screening site, it can be mentioned by name.

If they are, then TER can rightly regard them as competitors, and prevent them from being mentioned as they probably don't like to see their competition get free advertising on their own site.

Bingo. And I'm pretty sure I've seen a policy statement in the various FAQs stating exactly that. No mention of other review sites allowed.

Of sites that can't be mentioned by name can be an be found in FAQ.

Which FAQ?

It's not really comprehensive either, just says review sites and gives couple of examples.

Under "Other", there are Discussion Board Guidelines.
That goes to:
http://www.theeroticreview.com/info_policies/boardPolicies.asp
Guidelines for Posting Messages on TER Discussion Boards
.
Scroll down to "Linking to a site which meets any of the following criteria in a post is prohibited:"
It's more of a partial list.

So I guess "linking to a site" includes a mere mention of it.

Using that criteria why are links to Adultlook allowed ?
To me it is a review site .  
Is there an affiliation between TER and that site?

The days of getting real info from reviews is pretty much over. One of the bigger review sites that TER blocks posts is an absolute farce. Picture run the gamut of plastic surgery freaks to utterly fake, and of course many morbidly obese gals that and almost every review is 5 stars, and when I say almost I mean 95%; get perfect reviews.  
Plus from reading this goofy board it's clear wokeism has infiltrated TER and out of the 10 regular mongers and a half dozen or so elderly ladies loiter here.
If you are a hot 20-30 something provider you want nothing to do with this shit show because not only are you making bank but you have real live friends that you hang with a party. And it's not because of smart asses like me it's because boring lonely peeps like Bia and wispectfulwobby virtually (literally if you get the pun) live here and may not leave there house much. Even with Bia shilling everyday she averages about 3 reviews a year and probably some are fake. No doubt she has another form of income and I assume Ms Kitty is on Welfare or SSI.  
Now Frown for me!!!

There's a certain contingent of providers who only advertise on adult look.  
At least in my area.

Just a joke.  
Obviously you can't have a comprehensive list of something that can't be mentioned.

Given that they specifically mentioned some sites that couldn't be mentioned, I don't think that's the issue.

Damn, I hate making shit up and it ends up half true.