Editorial Standards

1. Our Mission

EcomAcademy.io exists to empower current and aspiring e‑commerce professionals with trustworthy, actionable knowledge. Every article, video, podcast, and social post we publish must further that mission by delivering insight that is accurate, practical, and ethical.

2. Core Principles

1. Accuracy & Fact‑Checking – We verify every claim against primary sources or peer‑reviewed research. Statistics must be linked to their original study or data set.
2. Expertise & Authority – Content is produced or reviewed by subject‑matter experts with demonstrable experience in e‑commerce, digital marketing, finance, or technology.
3. Transparency & Disclosure – We clearly disclose sponsorships, affiliate partnerships, conflicts of interest, and the use of AI tools.
4. Diversity & Inclusion – We strive for diverse voices and perspectives and avoid biased language or imagery.
5. Reader‑First Commitment – We write for clarity and utility, not for algorithms. Readability and user benefit always outweigh keyword density.

3. Content Creation Workflow

3.1 Pitch & Topic Selection

• Ideas are evaluated on relevance, originality, and reader demand.
• We avoid topics that promote unethical or illegal practices (e.g., black‑hat SEO, platform policy violations).

3.2 Research & Sourcing

• Minimum of three credible sources per piece.
• Use primary data wherever possible (company filings, government statistics, direct interviews).
• Clearly cite all third‑party data with inline links and a references section.

3.3 Writing & Tone

• Voice: Professional yet approachable; think mentor rather than lecturer.
• Perspective: Use second person (“you”) to address the reader directly.
• Formatting:
  • Descriptive H2/H3 headings every 300–400 words.
  • Paragraphs ≤ 120 words.
  • Bullet lists for step‑by‑step instructions.
  • Code/CLI commands in fenced blocks.
  • Alt text for every image.

3.4 Visuals & Assets

• Images must be royalty‑free, under proper license, or original.
• Charts must include source and date.
• Screenshots must hide sensitive user data.

4. Verification & Editorial Review

1. Technical Review – A domain expert checks accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
2. Copy Edit – Editors correct grammar, style, and adherence to this guide.
3. Final Approval – Senior editor signs off before publication.

5. Corrections & Updates Policy

• We correct factual errors within 48 hours of discovery.
• Substantive updates (e.g., new regulations, platform fees) are timestamped at the top of the article.
• Archived or out‑of‑date content is either updated, redirected, or labeled as legacy.

6. Ethical Guidelines

• No plagiarism, ever—text similarity software is run on every draft.
• We refuse guest posts written primarily for link‑building.
• Contributors must disclose financial stakes in any companies or products mentioned.

7. Contributor Guidelines

• Provide a 50–100 word bio including relevant credentials.
• Submit supporting documentation for any statistics or proprietary data.
• Be available for fact‑check queries for at least 14 days post‑publication.

8. Sponsored & Affiliate Content Policy

• Sponsored content is labeled “Sponsored” at the top.
• Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk (*) and an explanatory note.
• Sponsors have no editorial control beyond subject approval.

9. AI & Automated Content Policy

• AI tools may assist with research and first‑draft generation only under human supervision.
• Final drafts must pass human review for originality, context, and nuance.
• We disclose the use of AI when it contributes materially to the finished piece.

10. Feedback & Contact

We welcome reader feedback and correction requests at editorial@ecomacademy.io. For urgent issues, include “Correction” in the subject line.