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Fact-Checking Policy

Fact-Checking Policy – Tips Clear

Last updated: 17 May 2025

1. Purpose

Tips Clear publishes practical guides and news that can influence readers’ money, health, and daily choices—topics Google classifies as “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL). To protect trust and comply with Google Search, Google News, and Google Discover quality systems built around E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), every statement we publish is subject to the fact-checking standards below. Google for Developers

2. Our End-to-End Fact-Checking Workflow

Stage What Happens Who Signs Off
2.1 Topic pitch & risk screen Editor identifies potential YMYL or viral claim; high-impact stories flagged for deep verification. Desk Editor
2.2 Source triage At least two independent primary sources (official filings, peer-reviewed studies, on-record interviews) are required; secondary sources must trace back to primaries. Researcher
2.3 Evidence scoring Each claim is rated True, Mostly True, Half-True, Misleading, or False using an internal rubric adapted from the IFCN methodology. Fact-Checker
2.4 Expert review A subject-matter specialist (e.g., CFP for finance, RD for nutrition) reviews evidence and ratings for technical accuracy. External SME
2.5 Editorial approval Senior editor ensures findings match headline, visuals, and ClaimReview JSON-LD markup before scheduling. Managing Editor
2.6 Post-publication monitoring Articles are re-checked on a 90-day cycle or sooner if new data emerges; version history is visible at the foot of the page. Audience Team

3. Standards & Frameworks We Follow

  • Google Search & Discover “Helpful Content” & structured-data policies (including ClaimReview requirements). Google for DevelopersSearch Engine Roundtable

  • International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles for non-partisanship, transparency, and open methodologies. IFCN Code of Principles

  • Trust Project’s 8 Trust Indicators to disclose authorship, sourcing, labeling, and corrections clearly. The Trust Project

  • Google News 2025 SEO best practices that emphasize E-E-A-T signals such as expert bylines and rapid corrections. Quintype

4. Structured-Data Transparency

All dedicated fact-check articles embed a single ClaimReview entity with:

  • claimReviewed – the exact statement checked

  • reviewRating – numeric & text verdict (e.g., 1 = False)

  • url – canonical URL of our analysis

  • datePublished and dateModified timestamps

  • author and editor objects linking to author bios

This markup helps Google surface our work in Search, News, and Discover fact-check panels. Google for Developers

5. Corrections & Updates

  • Speed – Verified errors are fixed within 24 hours.

  • Visibility – A Correction banner appears atop the article, summarizing what changed and when.

  • Structured data – The dateModified field is updated to signal freshness to crawlers.

6. Reader & Third-Party Requests

If you spot a potential error or want a claim vetted:

  1. Email factcheck@tipsclear.com with URL, quote in question, supporting evidence.

  2. Our fact-checking desk logs each request publicly on our Transparency Board.

  3. You receive a response (acceptance, rejection, or request for more info) within three business days.

7. Use of Automation & AI

AI tools may assist with transcript generation or data scraping, never with verdicts. A human fact-checker reviews all machine-generated outputs before publication, in line with Google’s AI-content guidance. Google for Developers

8. Editorial Independence

Advertisers, sponsors, and affiliate partners cannot preview, alter, or veto any fact-check. Commercial relationships are disclosed separately and have no bearing on ratings.

9. Continuous Improvement

  • Quarterly audits benchmark our error-rate versus IFCN signatory norms.

  • Staff attend Poynter and Trust Project trainings on verification and anti-disinformation.

  • Workflow refinements are published annually in our Transparency Report.

10. Contact

For corrections, feedback, or partnership inquiries related to fact-checking, reach us at factcheck@tipsclear.com or via our contact form. Your vigilance helps us keep Tips Clear a reliable, Google-trusted resource.