Editorial Guidelines

Welcome. On this page I am going to discuss my editorial guidelines and how following these guidelines provide helpful content to you, my readers.

About Ellen’s Blog and Editorial Standards

Welcome to Ellen’s blog. I provide insights on digital payments, security, AI topics, and finance to help businesses with their payments and freelancers with making money with AI.

These guidelines are designed to ensure that all content published to my blog meets the highest standards of quality, accuracy, and relevance for my readers. I’m committed to providing content that not only engages my audience but also upholds Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) principles.

editorial standards and mission statement

My blog is dedicated to simplifying the world of payments and finance. Leveraging personal experience and in-depth research, I want to provide accessible, reliable information that guides readers in making informed decisions on essential products and services.

My aim is to deliver content that is not only insightful but also beneficial to my readers. I uphold stringent editorial standards to safeguard the integrity and excellence of my published material.

Standards for Blog Content

  1. Originality: All content must be original and unique. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
  2. Relevance: Content will cater to the interests of my target audience. It will provide them with valuable insights, actionable tips, or novel perspectives.
  3. Structure: Posts will be well-structured with clear headings, subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to enhance readability.

Commitment to Quality

I strive for excellence in every piece of content I publish. Each article will be well-researched, well-written, and meticulously edited before submission.

Google’s E-E-A-T Principles

In line with Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines, I require my content to exhibit:

  1. Experience: I provide my first-hand experience, either professionally or personally, when evaluating products or services.
  2. Expertise: The content will reflect a deep understanding of the topic. I draw from my professional experience and knowledge to give the content depth and credibility.
  3. Authoritativeness: I demonstrate my authoritativeness through my credentials, qualifications, or proven track record in the subject matter.
  4. Trustworthiness: All information provided will be accurate and reliable. Any claims or statements made will be backed up by reputable sources.

Ensuring Accurate, Trustworthy, and Authoritative Content

  1. Fact-checking: All facts, data, and statistics mentioned in the content will be thoroughly checked and sourced from reputable platforms.
  2. Citations: Any ideas, theories, or research that is not the my own is attributed to the original source.
  3. Transparency: I will be upfront about any potential conflicts of interest and avoid content that could mislead my audience.

By adhering to these guidelines, I can ensure that my blog remains a trusted and respected source of information for my readers.

key takeaway
  • Have high standards for blog content
  • Demonstrate commitment to quality
  • Emphasize Google’s E-E-A-T
  • Ensure the content is accurate, trustworthy, and authoritative

Why Do I Do Reviews?

The primary motivation behind my reviews is the desire to share my extensive expertise in finance, payments, and AI. I believe that knowledge is most valuable when it’s shared, and through my reviews, I want to empower my readers with the insights I’ve gained over the years. 

Choosing the right products or services in the financial sphere can often be daunting and confusing. By providing detailed, balanced, and easy-to-understand reviews, I intend to simplify this decision-making process for my readers. 

Whether it’s choosing a new digital wallet, selecting a payment gateway for their business, or understanding the complexities of personal finance management tools, my goal is to guide them towards choices that best meet their specific needs and circumstances. 

I get it. Finance is complicated. Which is why I conduct these reviews. I want to make the world of payments and finance more accessible and manageable for everyone.

What is My Research Process for My Articles?

My research methodology is thorough and comprehensive, designed to provide you with the most accurate and useful information possible. The process begins with an in-depth examination of the product or company in question, where I identify its pros and cons based on my past experience in Finance at a loan provider and a payment processor.

I meticulously evaluate the features, considering how they could benefit potential users. If I have firsthand experience with the product, I share my personal insights and explain how my experiences might mirror or differ from your own.

In cases where I haven’t used the product or service myself, I turn to trusted review sites such as Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and Google. I aggregate these reviews, categorize them by common themes or issues, and consolidate this information into a concise, easy-to-understand list for you, my reader.

Rest assured, the reviews I write are unbiased and based on my analysis, personal experience, and extensive research. I believe in maintaining transparency and upholding my integrity to deliver the best possible review for you. Your trust is my top priority, and I’m committed to earning and keeping it with every piece of content I create.

How Can I Provide Free Information?

At the heart of my mission is a commitment to providing valuable information free of charge. I understand that not everyone can afford premium content, yet the need for reliable and helpful information is universal. To keep this service free, I have established affiliate partnerships. This means I may earn a commission when readers make purchases through my affiliate links. 

However, it’s crucial to note that these partnerships do not influence my reviews and content. I maintain a strict policy of honesty and transparency, ensuring that my recommendations are unbiased and genuinely useful to my readers. My ultimate aim is to provide trustworthy, high-quality content that benefits my readers and respects their financial circumstances.

How Do I Use AI Content in my Blog?

In the digital era, AI has become an indispensable tool for content generation. My approach to using AI in my writing is both strategic and mindful. While it’s true that AI plays a significant role in my content creation process, it’s important to clarify that I never publish AI-generated content without first humanizing it.

Before any content reaches the reader, I meticulously edit it to ensure factual accuracy and grammatical correctness. I also use plagiarism checking tools to ensure that all content is original and unique. AI greatly aids in the research phase, helping me gather relevant data and compile comprehensive outlines for my posts. It also assists in word-smithing — taking my raw ideas and crafting them into cohesive and engaging sentences.

However, I need to stress that AI, despite its impressive capabilities, often generates content that can feel bland or uninspired. What do I do when this happens? I completely rewrite the content so it has the richness and nuance that only human experience can provide. The AI tools serve as a foundation, but the final product is always shaped by the human touch.

key takeaway

Remember, while AI is a powerful tool for generating content, it cannot replace the depth, creativity, and personal touch that come from a human writer. I am committed to ensuring that all the content on this blog reflects this human experience, making it relatable, engaging, and valuable to you, the reader.