Our editorial standards, in plain language.
How we maintain editorial independence, how we handle sponsored content, what we do when we are wrong, and how to reach us when something does not look right.
Editorial Independence
The principle
NorthRadar Media's editorial content is produced independently of our commercial relationships. Advertising, sponsorships, and other commercial arrangements have no influence over what we publish, which products we cover, how we characterize those products, or what conclusions we reach in our research.
How we enforce it
Editorial independence is maintained through structural separation, not editorial willpower. Our commercial and editorial operations are functionally separate. The editorial team does not know which vendors are advertising on our properties at any given time. Commercial team members do not participate in editorial decisions at any stage of the production process. There are no review processes, approval chains, or informal mechanisms by which a commercial relationship can influence editorial content.
What this means in practice
A vendor can be an active advertiser on one of our properties and still receive critical coverage, negative comparisons, or unfavorable analysis in our research. We do not notify vendors before publishing coverage of their products. We do not offer 'right of review' to advertisers. We do not modify editorial content in response to advertiser complaints unless those complaints identify specific factual inaccuracies — which we correct for all content, regardless of the vendor's commercial relationship with us.
Sponsored Content
What sponsored content is
NorthRadar Media publishes sponsored research and sponsored content in partnership with vendors. Sponsored content is produced with vendor involvement — the vendor typically provides input on topic, scope, and framing. Sponsored content serves the vendor's commercial interests in ways that our independent editorial content does not.
How we label it
Every piece of sponsored content is labeled clearly and prominently at the top of the page with the language 'Sponsored by [Vendor Name]' or 'This research was produced in partnership with [Vendor Name].' This labeling is non-negotiable. We do not accept arrangements where sponsored content is presented as independent editorial.
What we require from sponsored content
Sponsored content published on NorthRadar properties must meet factual accuracy standards — claims about competitor products, market data, and product capabilities are reviewed by our editorial team before publication. We require revisions when we identify inaccurate claims. We have declined to publish sponsored content that contained material inaccuracies that the sponsor was unwilling to correct.
What sponsored content is not
Sponsored content is not independent research. Readers should evaluate sponsored content with the understanding that it was produced with vendor input and serves vendor interests. The labeling exists to enable exactly this calibration.
Vendor Relationships
Vendor briefings
We regularly conduct briefings with vendors whose products we cover. Briefings give us access to product teams, detailed feature information, and context on product roadmap and positioning. They do not give vendors influence over our editorial coverage. We note in our methodology when we have conducted a vendor briefing for a specific piece of research.
Product access
We request free trial or demo access to products we review. When vendors provide access, we use it for research purposes only. Provision of product access does not imply or entitle favorable coverage. When vendors decline to provide access, we note this in our content and research using the available public information.
Vendor feedback on published content
Vendors whose products are covered in our research may submit factual corrections through hello@northradarmedia.com. We investigate all corrections and update content when we identify factual errors. We do not modify content in response to requests that are not supported by factual inaccuracies — including requests to soften negative assessments, remove comparisons, or modify conclusions.
Analyst and review relationships
We do not accept gifts, paid travel, or other forms of compensation from vendors whose products we cover in editorial content. Vendor-funded events attended by our editorial team are disclosed in relevant content.
Corrections and Updates
How to submit a correction
If you believe content we have published contains a factual error, send the specific claim, the article URL, and supporting evidence to hello@northradarmedia.com. We respond to all correction requests within five business days.
How we handle corrections
When we confirm a factual error, we correct it and note the correction at the bottom of the article with the date of correction and a brief description of what changed. We do not silently revise content. We do not remove correction notices after the fact. If the error was significant enough to materially affect a reader's decision, we note this in the correction.
What is not a correction
A correction addresses a factual inaccuracy. Disagreement with our analysis, conclusions, or characterizations of a product is not a factual inaccuracy — it is a difference of opinion. We welcome substantive disagreement through our editorial contact but do not modify analytical conclusions in response to disagreement alone.
Scheduled content reviews
In addition to responding to corrections, we review all comparison and review content on an annual cycle and update as needed. Content that has been reviewed and remains accurate is updated with a 'reviewed as of [date]' notation.
Conflicts of Interest
Staff disclosures
Editorial team members disclose to NorthRadar Media's editorial leadership any personal financial interests, advisory relationships, or material connections to vendors in the categories they cover. Team members with material conflicts are excluded from covering the relevant vendor or category.
Equity and investment
NorthRadar Media editorial staff do not hold equity positions in vendors whose products are covered in the categories they write about. If this changes for any staff member, they will be recused from covering that vendor until the position is divested.
Institutional conflicts
NorthRadar Media does not accept institutional investment from vendors whose products we cover in editorial content. If investment relationships change in the future, we will disclose this publicly on this page.
Reader Submissions and Community Standards
Guest contributions
NorthRadar Media accepts guest contributions from practitioners, operators, and industry experts. Guest contributors must disclose any commercial relationships with vendors they write about. Guest content is reviewed for factual accuracy and editorial quality. We do not accept guest contributions that are written by or on behalf of vendors as disguised promotional content.
User reviews and testimonials
Where we publish reader reviews or testimonials, we verify that contributors are real professionals with genuine experience with the products they are reviewing. We do not publish reviews from vendor employees or contractors without disclosure. We do not accept payment to publish positive reviews.
Last Updated
March 2026
Changes to this policy will be noted here with a summary of what changed.