Well the 程度 is directly referring to 参考, so the speaker is saying that the advice is "only meant as reference"... sort of like saying "just for your information" or the insidious "just sayin'". We often use "just for you information" to impart some fact or hearsay that, by itself, isn't particularly actionable, but in the overall evaluation might be something worth considering, however briefly.
In other words, 参考程度 means "meant to be used as reference". No more, no less. It means, my advice is not meant as warning, caution, order, command, strong recommendation, or anything other than simply an opinion for you to use as reference. That is the extent to which you should take my words.
So, yes 「参考程度」 implies a low degree of suggestion in the hierarchy of suggestions. I agree mostly with the link you provided.