Policy
Editorial standards
This policy applies to every article, guide and product recommendation published on this site. It exists so readers can hold us to a specific standard, not a vague promise.
Last updated September 2026 · Contact: [email protected]
1. Independence
Commercial relationships never determine editorial outcomes. Brands cannot purchase coverage, a position in a list, a favourable verdict, or advance sight of a draft. Where we have any relationship with a brand that a reasonable reader would want to know about, we disclose it in the article itself.
2. Accuracy and sourcing
Claims about specifications, materials, warranty terms and availability must be traceable to a primary source or authoritative documentation. We distinguish clearly between:
- Verified facts — published specifications, stated warranty terms, documented features.
- Aggregated evidence — patterns in verified owner reports, which we describe as patterns, not proof.
- Editorial judgement — our reasoning about which tradeoffs matter, labelled as opinion.
3. No fabricated experience or data
We do not invent test results, measurements, benchmarks, review counts, certifications, clinical outcomes or personal anecdotes. We do not imply hands-on testing we did not perform. Where a guide is based on published specifications rather than our own testing, the guide says so.
4. Pricing
Prices change constantly, so we do not present a price as a standing fact. Guides say “check current price” and link to the retailer, where the live price is authoritative.
5. Ratings and verdicts
We do not publish numeric star ratings or review scores. Recommendations use scenario-based labels and a written verdict that names the specific tradeoff, so a reader can match the product to their own situation rather than a number.
6. Affiliate disclosure
Commercial articles carry a disclosure near the top, before the first commercial link, and a reminder beside each outbound product link. Our full affiliate disclosure explains how commissions work and which programmes we participate in.
7. Use of automation
We may use software to help gather, organise or summarise research material. Editorial judgement, framing and final wording remain the responsibility of a named human editor, whose name appears on the article. We do not publish machine-generated claims that have not been checked against a source.
8. Corrections
Errors are corrected promptly and transparently. Substantive corrections update the guide's “last updated” date. Report a problem to [email protected] with the page URL and details.
9. Legal and health claims
PickKoala publishes consumer product advice. Nothing here is medical, legal, financial or safety advice. Where a product touches health — sleep, ergonomics, air quality, food safety — we describe published specifications and general guidance only, and recommend consulting a qualified professional for personal decisions.
10. Policy review
This policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever our funding model, ownership or tooling changes materially. Questions: [email protected].