Editorial policy

Accuracy before certainty.

Our editorial standard is designed to prevent unsupported accusations, hidden commercial influence and false confidence in incomplete public records.

01

Evidence language

SERCH distinguishes a verified fact from a company statement, user allegation, analytical inference or unresolved question. Words such as safe, approved, guaranteed or scam are not used as conclusions without an appropriate legal and evidential basis.

02

Source hierarchy

Primary records are preferred. Reputable reporting may provide context. Reviews and social posts can identify questions but are not treated as proof on their own. AI-generated text is never treated as a source.

03

Independence

Researchers must disclose material relationships. A reviewed organisation cannot purchase a finding, remove a supported fact or receive an undisclosed favourable label.

04

Right of reply

A platform may submit documents, identify an error or provide a statement. Relevant evidence is assessed under the same standard as the original research and any material change is dated.

Last reviewed: 2 August 2026