Sponsorship Policy

Advertising is paid placement that is not editorial content: display units, newsletter placements, and similar. Ads are visually distinct from stories and never presented as coverage.

A sponsor may underwrite a section, feature, or the newsletter. Even then, the sponsored material is labeled, and the sponsor has no influence over the editorial content it appears next to.

Sponsored content is paid material produced with or for an advertiser. It is always labeled "Sponsored" visibly on the page itself, names its sponsor, and never silently inherits the visual treatment of independent reporting.

Independent coverage is chosen by editors, reported by named authors, and free of commercial influence. A commercial relationship with a subject is disclosed when relevant, and coverage is never traded for advertising. Our Editorial Policy explains how that firewall works.

If you ever see a boundary blurred between commerce and coverage, tell us through the contact form. We treat that as a serious report.