These guidelines explain how articles, tutorials, reviews, case studies, and opinion pieces on brianwinum.com are researched, written, reviewed, corrected, and monetized. The goal is simple: publish useful work that readers can understand, verify, and trust.
1. Editorial responsibility
Brian Winum is responsible for the editorial direction and final approval of content published under his byline. Articles are grounded in more than two decades of hands-on work in web development, SEO, digital marketing, affiliate publishing, local search, and emerging AI technologies.
Guest contributions, interviews, or expert commentary will be clearly attributed. Substantive edits are reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with these guidelines before publication.
2. Research, sourcing, and verification
- Primary sources are preferred whenever practical, including official documentation, original research, public records, direct product testing, and first-party announcements.
- Material factual claims are checked against reliable sources before publication. Links are included when they help readers verify a claim or explore the source in context.
- Facts, analysis, personal experience, and opinion are distinguished from one another. Predictions and inferences are presented as such rather than stated as established fact.
- Statistics and quotations are presented with enough context to avoid changing their meaning. Dates are included when information may become outdated.
3. Reviews and recommendations
Product reviews and recommendations are based on direct use, structured evaluation, documented research, or a clearly disclosed combination of those methods. Review criteria and scoring are selected for the product being evaluated and may include usability, support, pricing, reliability, integrations, and practical value.
- Strengths and limitations are reported, including findings that may not support a purchase.
- Pricing, features, and availability are checked at publication but may change afterward.
- Free access, review copies, sponsorships, affiliate relationships, or other material connections are disclosed.
- Compensation never guarantees positive coverage, a particular score, or editorial approval.
Some recommendations contain affiliate links. See the Affiliate Commission Disclosure for details.
4. Case studies and performance claims
Case studies identify the relevant time period, data source, methodology, and material limitations whenever those details can be shared. Client information is published only with permission or is anonymized where appropriate.
Individual outcomes are not presented as guaranteed or typical results. Search visibility, traffic, revenue, and other performance measures depend on many factors outside the control of this site.
5. AI-assisted work
AI tools may assist with research organization, outlining, transcription, editing, code review, or formatting. They do not replace human editorial judgment. Brian reviews and takes responsibility for the final published work.
- AI-generated factual claims, quotations, citations, and code are checked before publication.
- Confidential client information is not submitted to an AI service without appropriate authorization and safeguards.
- Substantial synthetic media or AI-generated material that could reasonably affect a reader’s interpretation will be disclosed in context.
Additional details are available in the Artificial Intelligence Usage Policy.
6. Independence and conflicts of interest
Editorial conclusions are not sold. Sponsored content, paid placements, business relationships, ownership interests, and other material conflicts will be identified where relevant. Articles discussing products created by Brian Winum, including WordPress plugins and courses, will make that relationship clear.
7. Originality and attribution
Published work should be original and add meaningful analysis, experience, or explanation. Quotations, data, images, and ideas from other sources are attributed appropriately. Plagiarism, fabricated sourcing, and knowingly misleading presentation are not acceptable.
8. Corrections and updates
Errors are corrected promptly once confirmed. Minor spelling, grammar, or formatting fixes may be made without a note. Material corrections that change the meaning of an article will be identified in the article when appropriate.
Evergreen guides, reviews, and product information may be updated as platforms, features, pricing, or evidence changes. The published or updated date helps readers judge how current the information is.
9. Reader feedback
Questions, correction requests, source suggestions, and concerns about a potential conflict of interest are welcome. Please identify the article and the specific passage or claim so it can be reviewed efficiently.
Contact form bw@brianwinum.com