Clearly disclose sponsored content to maintain editorial transparency.
- Clearly disclose sponsored content to maintain editorial transparency1 cited source1 category
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Why this matters
Transparency about sponsorships upholds editorial independence and meets Google News policy requirements.
Hypothetical standard operating procedure
Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.
- Audit all current sponsored content for disclosure adequacy.
- Create standardized templates and labels for sponsored articles.
- Train editorial staff on disclosure importance and methods.
- Include disclosures prominently near sponsored story titles or at start.
- Regularly review published content to ensure ongoing compliance.
Watch for
Failure to disclose sponsorship risks content removal and damage to publisher reputation.
Definition of done
All sponsored content is clearly labeled and separated from independent editorial content.
Sources & attribution
Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.