What we disclose
These categories cover the real-world ways bias sneaks into “research.” The goal is not purity. The goal is transparency.
Sponsorships & paid placements
If a brand, operator, or organization pays for placement or visibility, it is labeled Sponsored. Sponsored placements never alter evidence standards or moderation rules.
Affiliate links & referral codes
If a link can generate revenue (commission, referral fees, discounts), it is labeled Affiliate next to the link. Disclosures appear before the click—not after.
Expeditions, tours, and field programs
If we sell, co-host, or receive compensation from an expedition operator, we disclose the relationship and who bears responsibility for safety, access rules, and local compliance.
Editorial independence
Editorial content is labeled Editorial (not sponsored). When a partner provides resources or access, we disclose it and separate it from conclusions or labels.
Material relationships & conflicts
If we have an investment, employment, family tie, or other meaningful relationship with a person/org referenced, we disclose it as Material relationship.
Data handling & privacy constraints
If we reduce location precision for heritage protection, or withhold sensitive details, we label the page and explain the category-level reason.
Label placement rules
Disclosures should be obvious without a scavenger hunt. We apply these rules across pages, newsletters, and embedded media.
- Proximity: The label appears next to the link/recommendation, not in a distant policy page.
- Clarity: We use plain words (“Sponsored”, “Affiliate”), not euphemisms (“Thanks to…”, “In partnership…”).
- Repetition across formats: If a video/podcast/clip contains a sponsorship, the disclosure is also in the description.
- Change logs: If a relationship changes, we update and log it in the register below.
What we don’t do
To keep trust durable (and not vibes-based), these are hard boundaries.
- No stealth advertorial: Sponsored content must look sponsored.
- No pay-to-win credibility: Paying us never upgrades an evidence label, claim status, or moderation outcome.
- No hidden incentives: If someone benefits financially from a recommendation, it must be disclosed.
- No “mystery funding”: Major sponsors/partners are listed in the register (or we have none).
Disclosure Register
A human-readable list of disclosed relationships. This is where “trust” becomes inspectable. The register below showcases how we log material relationships as they are confirmed.
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Jan 8, 2026Editorial
ED-2026-001 — Editorial independence statement
We do not currently include paid placements or affiliate links. As monetization begins (sponsorships, affiliates, tours), entries will be added here and in-line labels will appear near relevant content.
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Jan 8, 2026Partner
ED-2026-002 — Partner access disclosure example
Partner access disclosure example: “Organization X provided access to Site Y for documentation. No payment was made for editorial coverage. Evidence standards and claim labeling remained unchanged.”
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Jan 8, 2026Affiliate
ED-2026-003 — Affiliate disclosure example
Example entry: “Some gear links (cameras, measurement tools) may use affiliate relationships. If enabled, links are labeled ‘Affiliate’ next to the link and in any newsletter section that includes them.”
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Jan 8, 2026Sponsored
ED-2026-004 — Sponsored content labeling example
Example entry: “Collection Z is sponsored by Sponsor Q. The Collection page displays a ‘Sponsored’ label at the top, plus a short statement of what the sponsor funded (e.g., hosting, expedition costs) and what they do not control (evidence standards, moderation).”
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Jan 8, 2026Material relationship
ED-2026-005 — Conflict of interest example
Example entry: “A contributor is employed by / invests in Organization R referenced in Claim T. Their comments remain visible but are labeled with ‘Material relationship’ on the thread to help readers calibrate.”
Founding Access
Join the early cohort shaping the standards: disclosure labels, correction receipts, and the “debate without chaos” system. Founding Access is released in waves.
FAQ
The “small print,” written like a human.
Do disclosures known today apply everywhere?
Yes. If a relationship affects a specific page, the label appears on that page. This register is the global index. If something is missing, request a correction and we’ll investigate.
Are you giving legal advice?
No. This page is a transparency policy for how we operate. If you are an operator, creator, or partner with legal obligations, treat this as a practical standard—not a substitute for counsel.
What about endorsements and testimonials?
If we ever quote partners, operators, or paid participants, we label the context and any material relationships. If a person is compensated or has a stake in something they’re praising, that relationship must be disclosed where the praise appears.
Do sponsors control outcomes?
No. Sponsors can fund infrastructure (hosting, events) or sponsor a collection—but they do not control evidence standards, claim labeling, moderation decisions, or what gets corrected.