Advertisers and editorial independence
Last changed 23 October 2026 · What changed
Money from brands never changes what we write.
Partner stories
Partner stories are labelled, written with the brand and edited to our style. They never carry a Guide verdict, ranking or the Guide Approved award, and they show no editor's byline. They make up no more than about a fifth of what we publish.
Rankings and awards
Placement in a ranking cannot be bought. The panel sets the order, and brands are not told their position before publication. The Guide Approved award is free to earn. If a brand has bought anything from us in the last 30 days, a second editor must confirm the award.
Critical pieces
If a story is critical of a named business, we send it to that business first and give it at least 48 hours to reply. We publish the reply or say that none was given.
Pressure from brands
If a brand tries to lean on an editor, the approach is logged and the owner is told. It does not change what we publish.
If we get something wrong
Tell us. We acknowledge within 24 hours and decide within 72. Facts are corrected with a visible note at the end of the story.
Added the limit on partner stories and the right of reply for critical pieces.