Writing Guidelines

Topics

• How to be more private online, how to protect your personal data
• Historical, current and future privacy threats and practices
• Privacy news about new products, data breaches, legislation, thought-leaders
• Feature thought-leaders, cultural moments and cyber security experts

Tone

• Open and transparent
• Informational and educational
• Friendly
• Curious

Audience

• 75% and up are male
• Not only care about privacy, but do something about it. Use a more private browsers like Vivaldi, Brave, or Firefox, VPNs, Tor, Ad Blockers and privacy friendly OS like Linux etc. 
• Active about updating their default settings
• Interested in the news, sci-fi, tech and government surveillance 
• Enjoy being in the know and inside of the latest information and technology 
• Like to help other people by informing them about new privacy products and news
• Will give constructive feedback on how Startpage can be better

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• All quotes or facts are sourced with hyperlinks.

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No sex-related words in the titles.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.
• All titles are written in the form of a question.

Body of Article

• Authors write in a casual, second person voice to ensure clarity in communication while remaining approachable.
• All outside references are sourced (with hyperlinks). This includes any studies, articles, or other research that is used within an article to support the viewpoint.
• We provide resources for all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies). We do so by hyperlinking to the source.
• When discussing potential outcomes and options, we use words like “may” , “can”, or “might” so that it is clear we are not making promises about potential outcomes.
• We do not use any language that might mislead a reader into thinking our content is a substitute for professional advice.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
  • Nation supports localization in a number of languages across the world. Where applicable, content is provided in these languages.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• All quotes or facts are sourced with Annotations.

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No sex-related words in the titles.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Authors write in a casual, second person voice to ensure clarity in communication while remaining approachable.
• All outside references are sourced (with linked Annotations). This includes any studies, articles, or other research that is used within an article to support the viewpoint.
• We provide resources for all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies). We do so by stating where the information came from and providing an annotation, with a link at the end of the article.
• When discussing potential outcomes and options, we use words like “may” , “can”, or “might” so that it is clear we are not making promises about potential outcomes.
• We do not use any language that might mislead a reader into thinking our content is a substitute for professional advice.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• All facts are sourced (with links).

Article Titles

• Clear and concise.
• No profanity in the titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Authors write in a formal, second person voice to ensure clarity in communication.
• All outside references are sourced (with links). This includes any studies, articles, or other research that is associated with a law related piece of information.
• We provide resources for all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies). We do so by stating where the information came from and a hyperlink to the source.
• When discussing potential outcomes and options, we use words like “may” , “can” or “might” so that it is clear we are not making promises about legal processes or outcomes.
• We do not use any language that might mislead a reader into thinking our content is a substitute for professional legal advice.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Only use bullet points when necessary.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Subheadings summarize what each section is about.
• All outside references are sourced (with links). This includes any studies, articles, recipes, or other research.
• We provide resources for any and all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies, quotations). We do so by stating where the information came from and a hyperlink to the source.
• When offering advice or information that is health-related, we use words like “may” , “can” or “might” so that it is clear we are making suggestions and not promises.
• Profanity is avoided at all costs. If necessary, it is censored.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Only use bullet points when necessary.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• All words should begin with a capital.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.
• Titles must remain under 80 characters (when possible).
• Keywords should appear at the beginning of the title (when possible).
• Titles should not include all capital letters or exclamation points.

Body of Article

• Subheadings summarize what each section is about.
• Numbered subheadings should always count from the highest number to the lowest number.
• Most articles are written in second-person, without personal opinions or anecdotes.
• All outside references and quotes are sourced with links and mention of original source.
• Profanity is avoided at all costs. If necessary, it is censored with a hyphen.
• All images must source editorial credit from Shutterstock, CPI, JPI, etc.
• Every post requires a featured image.
• Internal links should be used as much as possible.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
  • Check.In supports localization in a number of languages across the world. Where applicable, content is provided in these languages.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• All quotes or facts are sourced with hyperlinks.

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No sex-related words in the titles.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Authors write in a casual, second person voice to ensure clarity in communication while remaining approachable.
• All outside references are sourced (with hyperlinks). This includes any studies, articles, or other research that is used within an article to support the viewpoint.
• We provide resources for all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies). We do so by hyperlinking to the source.
• When discussing potential outcomes and options, we use words like “may” , “can”, or “might” so that it is clear we are not making promises about potential outcomes.
• We do not use any language that might mislead a reader into thinking our content is a substitute for professional advice.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Only use bullet points when necessary.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• Default currency is US dollars. We will clarify if using another currency.
• All quotes are sourced (with links).

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Most articles are written in second-person, without personal opinions or anecdotes (some exceptions are made for guest writers).
• Subheadings summarize what each section is about.
• All outside references are sourced (with reputable links). This includes any studies, articles, or other automotive/driving facts that can be verified.
• We provide resources for any and all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies, quotations). We do so by stating where the information came from and a hyperlink to the source.
• When offering advice or information, we never speak in absolute terms. We’ll use terms like “may”, “can,” or “might” whenever appropriate, to ensure we’re not making statements or promises that could end up untrue.
• When reviewing vehicles, we’ll make every attempt to avoid being needlessly negative. If possible, we’ll link to other sources of criticism instead.
• Profanity is avoided at all costs. If necessary, it is censored.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Only use bullet points when necessary.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• All quotes are sourced (with links).

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Bloggers write in the first-person. Their personal opinions and/or stories provide content that is insightful and genuine.
• All other authors write in second person because the article is written with the reader in mind.
• Subheadings summarize what each section is about.
• All outside references are sourced (with links). This includes any studies, articles, or other research that is associated with a health related piece of information.
• We provide resources for any and all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies, quotations). We do so by stating where the information came from and a hyperlink to the source.
• When offering advice or information that is health-related, we use words like “may” , “can” or “might” so that it is clear we are making suggestions and not promises.
• Profanity is avoided at all costs. If necessary, it is censored.

Writing Style

• Use US English spelling and grammar.
• Only use bullet points when necessary.
• Numbers and statistics are written in numerical form.
• The default currency is U.S dollars. We clarify if we’re using another currency.
• All quotes are sourced (with links).

Article Titles

• Unique and catchy, but also clear and concise.
• No sex-related words in the titles.
• No profanity in titles.
• We do not use misleading titles to generate clicks.

Body of Article

• Most articles are written in second-person, without personal opinions or anecdotes (some exceptions are made for guest writers).
• Subheadings summarize what each section is about.
• All outside references are sourced (with reputable links). This includes any studies, articles, or other financial facts that can be verified.
• We provide resources for any and all factual information (statistics, definitions, studies, quotations). We do so by stating where the information came from and a hyperlink to the source.
• When offering advice or information that is investment related, we use words like “may” , “can” or “might” so that it is clear we are making suggestions and not promises. We do not, in simple terms, ever proclaim to offer specific investing advice or financial planning steps.
• Profanity is avoided at all costs. If necessary, it is censored.