The Scope of These Guidelines
Chapter 1: Introduction
These guidelines apply to anyone whose work directly influences what readers see in editorial templates: headlines, verdict paragraphs, pros and cons in body copy, FAQ answers, methodology sections, and which products appear as winners in comparisons or Top Picks roundups.
They also apply when staff represent Option Cutter on social platforms, podcasts, or conference stages discussing products we cover—or might cover—on the site. Personal opinions are allowed; hidden brand relationships are not.
Roles that do not touch editorial judgment—pure infrastructure, accounting, or anonymized analytics—are not bound by every rule here, but no one may trade on nonpublic affiliate rate changes, unpublished winner swaps, or embargoed review drafts for personal gain.
Freelancers and guest authors must follow these standards for Option Cutter work even when other clients allow different practices. Contracts reinforce accuracy duties; editors fact-check material claims before publish, especially for health-adjacent wearables and safety-related home gear.
When a guideline conflicts with a brand’s urgent PR request, editorial standards win. Commerce teams may suggest topics; they do not assign star ratings, reorder comparison charts for commission spikes, or require favorable coverage in exchange for placement in Content Egg modules.
If you are unsure whether a relationship, sample, or payment triggers a conflict, disclose it to your editor before working on the story—see personal relations with sources for common cases. Early disclosure is cheaper than a correction and rebuild of reader trust.
Contractors who moderate comments, build Elementor layouts, or maintain Content Egg feeds must not insert editorial verdict language or reorder winners without an editor. Violations are escalated like any other standards breach.
Updates to these standards are announced internally with a changelog; material changes that affect reader trust also earn a short note on the public Editorial Standards hub.
Scope questions usually arrive at assignment time: Does moderating comments count? Does a TikTok reply on the official account count? If your output could change what a shopper believes about a product we cover, assume these guidelines apply and ask if unsure.
Contractors who only build layouts still must not insert winner language, reorder comparison modules for commission, or paste brand talking points into FAQ schema. Elementor and Content Egg skills do not grant editorial authority; only assigned editors and reviewers do.
Partnerships with retailers or affiliate networks live in business development, not in this handbook—but merchandising staff may not negotiate editorial conclusions. When a retailer offers co-marketing tied to a Top Picks badge, route the offer to leadership and keep the review team out of commission negotiations.
Annual conflict forms capture outside work, investments, and family ties. Incomplete forms delay assignments in sensitive categories like health wearables or baby monitors. Treat the form as part of your toolkit, not HR paperwork you rush once a year without updating.