Editorial Standards

Last updated: September 15, 2026

These standards apply to everything published on TechEngage, including news, analysis, explainers, reviews, and buying guides, and to every staff writer, contributor, and editor. They reflect the values set out in our publication principles and draw on widely accepted journalism practice such as the SPJ Code of Ethics.

1. Sourcing

We build stories on the strongest sources available and tell readers where information comes from.

• Primary sources first: official announcements, company documentation, product specifications, regulatory and court filings, earnings reports, and peer-reviewed research.
• Attribution: when we rely on another outlet’s reporting, we name and link to it. We do not present someone else’s scoop as our own.
• Links: we link to original sources whenever possible so readers can check claims themselves, and we avoid sources of doubtful credibility.
• Anonymous sources: used only when the information is important, cannot be obtained on the record, and an editor knows the source’s identity and reason for anonymity.

2. Verification and accuracy

Every article must be accurate at the time of publication. Writers verify names, dates, figures, prices, and technical specifications against official documentation before filing, and editors check them again before publishing.

• Rumors and leaks: clearly labeled as unconfirmed, with the source and our level of confidence stated. Speculation is never presented as fact.
• Numbers and statistics: attributed to their source, with context about what they do and do not show.
• Company claims: reported as claims unless independently confirmed.
• Right of reply: when a story makes a significant allegation about a person or company, we seek their response before publishing.

If an error gets through, we correct it under our corrections policy.

3. News, analysis, and opinion

News reports explain what happened and why it matters. Analysis interprets events using evidence and is identified as analysis. Opinion pieces express a writer’s viewpoint and are clearly labeled. Reviews and buying guides follow our reviews methodology.

4. Use of AI tools

TechEngage uses AI tools to help with research, transcription, summarizing documents and drafting, including some fast-moving news updates. They do not replace our editorial standards, and the same sourcing and correction rules apply to every story.

• Sourcing: facts, quotes and figures in AI-assisted stories must come from primary or credible sources that we cite and link, because AI tools can be wrong.
• Accountability: TechEngage editors are responsible for everything we publish. If an AI-assisted story contains an error, we fix it under our corrections policy.
• Images: AI-generated or AI-edited images are used only as illustrations, never to depict real events or real people as if photographed.

5. Bylines and accountability

Every article carries a byline. Author names link to profile pages with a bio, areas of coverage, and an archive of their work, so readers can judge expertise and track record. You can see everyone who writes for us on our staff page. Contributed articles are identified as such and meet the same standards.

6. Updates and dating

Technology changes quickly, so we keep important articles current and are transparent about when content changed.

• Publication date: every article shows when it was first published.
• Updated date: when we make a meaningful update, such as new information, changed prices, or new products, the article shows an updated date.
• Developing stories: updates to breaking news are marked in the article so readers can see what is new.
• No cosmetic redating: we do not change an article’s date without making a real update to its content.

7. Headlines and images

• Headlines: must accurately reflect the story. We do not use misleading or exaggerated headlines to attract clicks.
• Photos: credited to their source. We use images we own, licensed images, official press images, or images used with permission.
• Editing: we may crop or resize images, but we do not alter news photos in ways that change their meaning.
• Illustrations: labeled or clearly styled as illustrations when they are not photographs.

8. Originality

We publish original reporting, analysis, and writing. Plagiarism, including copying text from other publications or press releases without attribution, is not tolerated. Quotes are reproduced accurately and attributed to the person who said them.

9. Reviews and buying guides

We publish two clearly labeled kinds of product recommendation, and every commercial article shows a badge at the top saying which one it is:

• Hands-on Tested Reviews are written after a TechEngage writer has used the product. They carry a green tested badge and, where relevant, a test date, and they may describe first-hand experience. We only apply a tested badge, or write in the first person about using a product, when that is true, and we disclose manufacturer review or loan units.
• Research-Based Buying Guides compare products using specifications, independent measurements, verified owner feedback and expert sources. They carry a research-based badge, and their language stays sourced rather than experiential. We never describe a product as tested when it was not.

Full detail is in our review policy. Prices and ratings in our tables are pulled live and can change; editorial conclusions are not tied to a specific price, and affiliate links never affect a verdict.

10. Original reporting

We aim to add value beyond summarizing other outlets: original analysis, context, comparison tables, timelines, testing where we have done it, and clearly attributed expert input. When a story draws on primary sources such as a company announcement or another publication, we cite and link them, and we try to add something a reader cannot get from the original alone.

11. Contact us

Questions about these standards or concerns about a specific article can be sent to [email protected] or through our contact page. News tips are welcome through Tip Us.