3.2 Site-level trustLowInferred
No editorial/sourcing policy
For sites that publish advice or news, an editorial and sourcing policy shows how content is produced and checked. It is a credibility signal raters and readers value.
What it is
No stated standards.
Why it matters
Less demonstrable trust for content sites.
How to fix it
Publish editorial standards.
How to find it on your site
- Check whether the site documents how it produces and reviews content.
- Draft an editorial and sourcing policy if absent.
- Explain authorship, review and correction processes.
- Link to it from About and article pages.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
A transparent editorial policy supports trust and authority for publishers. Its absence leaves process opaque.
Impact
Low. Inferred.
Evidence
Editorial transparency supports trust. Google, Search Quality Rater Guidelines (PDF)