1. Say what we know and what we don't
Unless a guide explicitly states that hands-on testing was performed, it wasn't. We never write "we tested" or "we compared side by side" when the work was research-based. Where a claim can't be verified, we describe it as manufacturer-reported rather than repeating it as fact.
2. No invented numbers
We do not fabricate star ratings, review counts, lab scores or performance measurements. Every number in a guide traces back to a specific manufacturer document, retailer listing or third-party test report.
3. Separate marketing from evidence
Manufacturer claims live inside the guide as clearly labelled "brand says" statements. Independently observable results (spec sheets, energy ratings, warranty terms, third-party testing where it exists) live alongside them and are attributed to their source.
4. Explain who a product suits and where the trade-offs are
A guide isn't useful if it only lists reasons to buy. Every product entry describes who it may suit, who it should probably be avoided by, and the practical trade-offs. There are no universal "best for everyone" verdicts.
5. Verify Australian availability before recommending
We don't recommend products that would arrive dead-on-arrival in Australia because of plug type, voltage, warranty restrictions, shipping bans or missing spare parts. Every product CTA has to point at an actual live Australian listing.
6. Never rank for commission
A product is never placed higher, described more warmly or given more screen time because it earns a bigger affiliate commission. Ranking order is set by how well a product fits the criteria in the guide, and the criteria are stated up front so readers can see the reasoning.
7. Disclose affiliate relationships clearly
Every guide with affiliate links includes a plain disclosure near the top and again near product CTAs, following the Amazon Associates Operating Programme requirements. The full text lives on the affiliate disclosure page.
8. Refresh on a schedule
Guides carry a "last fact-checked" date, and we re-verify price, stock and specification details on a seasonal cadence — every 60 days minimum, faster for categories where models get superseded quickly. Material changes get noted on the article.
9. Fix mistakes publicly
When we get something wrong, we correct it, and if the correction is material to the reader's decision, we add a dated note to the article rather than quietly editing. See the corrections policy.
10. Say no to paid placements
- No sponsored posts.
- No gifted-product reviews unless we disclose the gift and still publish the negatives.
- No "experts weigh in" pieces written by a PR agency.
- No backlink-for-cash arrangements.
If someone offers any of these, we decline and — where relevant — tell you about it inside the guide.
Where these standards come from
They follow the Amazon Associates Program Policies, the Australian Association of National Advertisers' Code of Ethics, and the general expectations Australian readers have of an honest recommendation site. If you think we've fallen short of them, tell us.