Editorial Policy - DotFive.uk

Our Editorial Mission

DotFive.uk aims to make business and finance information clear, useful, responsible, and accessible.

We publish content intended to help readers:

Understand financial concepts
Improve financial literacy
Research business decisions
Compare general options
Recognise financial risks
Understand economic developments
Learn from entrepreneurs and professionals
Ask better questions before making decisions

We do not aim to encourage impulsive financial behaviour or promise unrealistic results.

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are based on factors including:

Reader usefulness
Accuracy
Relevance
Timeliness
Quality
Originality
Risk awareness
Public interest

Advertisers, sponsors, affiliate partners, and commercial contributors do not automatically receive favourable editorial treatment.

Paid content should be clearly distinguished from independent editorial content.

Source Standards

Writers and editors should use sources appropriate to the topic.

Preferred sources may include:

Government departments
Regulators
Central banks
Official statistical agencies
Company filings
Annual reports
Official provider documentation
Legislation
Court decisions
Academic research
Recognised professional bodies
Established financial institutions
Qualified subject-matter specialists
Reputable news organisations
Primary market data sources

Secondary sources may be used when appropriate, but important claims should be checked against original or authoritative information where reasonably possible.

Accuracy and Verification

Before publication, writers and editors should make reasonable efforts to verify:

Names
Dates
Prices
Fees
Interest rates
Statistics
Calculations
Product features
Company information
Quotations
Regulatory claims
Eligibility requirements

Important information should be attributed or linked to an appropriate source where practical.

Fact, Analysis, and Opinion

DotFive.uk aims to distinguish between:

Verified facts
Reported claims
Editorial analysis
Predictions
Personal opinions
Sponsored statements

Opinion articles should not be presented as objective news.

Predictions should be clearly identified as uncertain.

Financial Risk Standards

Articles about investments, borrowing, financial products, and business opportunities should clearly communicate relevant risks.

We seek to avoid:

Guaranteed-return claims
Misleading profit promises
“Get rich quick” messaging
Unbalanced descriptions of investment benefits
Concealing important fees or risks
Artificial urgency
Unsupported price predictions
Encouragement to invest money readers cannot afford to lose

Where relevant, articles should remind readers that capital is at risk and that professional guidance may be appropriate.

Financial Product Reviews

Reviews and comparisons may be based on:

Official product information
Direct product testing
Provider documentation
Publicly available fees and terms
Customer feedback
Independent research
Editorial evaluation
Expert input

Reviews should consider relevant factors such as:

Fees
Interest rates
Eligibility
Risks
Features
Customer support
Accessibility
Limitations
Intended user
Regulatory status
Cancellation or withdrawal conditions

When a product has not been directly tested, the article should not suggest that first-hand testing occurred.

Rankings and Comparisons

Product rankings may take into account:

Cost
Features
Value
Accessibility
User needs
Risk
Provider reputation
Editorial assessment
Available evidence

A ranking does not mean that a product is appropriate for every reader.

Commercial relationships may affect which providers can be linked or monetised, but they should not be hidden.

Affiliate Content

Some articles may contain affiliate links.

Affiliate commissions help support DotFive.uk, but writers and editors should not make claims solely because a provider offers higher compensation.

Affiliate articles should:

Provide useful information
Avoid false scarcity
Avoid guaranteed outcomes
Explain relevant limitations
Identify commercial relationships where appropriate
Encourage readers to check current provider terms

Conflicts of Interest

Writers and editors should disclose material interests that could influence coverage.

Potential conflicts include:

Ownership of investments discussed
Employment relationships
Consulting relationships
Business ownership
Gifts
Free products
Paid travel
Affiliate compensation
Sponsorship
Personal relationships
Ownership interests in featured companies

Where a conflict cannot be appropriately managed or disclosed, a different contributor may be assigned.

Contributor Standards

Contributors are expected to:

Produce original work
Use reliable sources
Disclose conflicts
Avoid plagiarism
Avoid misleading claims
Respect confidentiality
Correct known errors
Follow applicable laws and editorial standards

Professional qualifications should not be exaggerated or misrepresented.

Artificial Intelligence

DotFive.uk may use artificial-intelligence tools to assist with:

Topic research
Article planning
Headline development
Grammar and language review
Summarisation
Data organisation
Translation support
Content formatting
Image concepts

AI-assisted content should be reviewed by a human before publication.

Editors remain responsible for:

Factual accuracy
Relevance
Originality
Clarity
Calculations
Source verification
Risk disclosures
Compliance with editorial standards

We do not intentionally present unreviewed automated content as verified financial reporting.

Calculations and Examples

Financial calculations may use simplified assumptions.

Examples may exclude:

Tax
Fees
Inflation
Transaction costs
Currency movements
Changing interest rates
Market volatility
Individual circumstances

Where practical, assumptions should be explained.

Readers should independently verify calculations before making decisions.

News and Market Content

Market and business news may change rapidly.

We aim to identify:

The date of an event
The date of publication
The relevant company or source
Whether information is confirmed or developing

Market commentary should not be treated as a personalised trading recommendation.

Corrections Policy

We welcome reports of possible errors.

When a meaningful error is confirmed, we may:

Correct the relevant information
Update a calculation
Add missing context
Replace an inaccurate source
Add a correction note
Add an editor’s note
Remove content that cannot be responsibly corrected

Minor spelling, grammar, style, or formatting changes may be made without a correction notice.

How to Request a Correction

Correction requests should include:

The article title
The page address
The disputed statement
An explanation of the concern
A reliable supporting source
The proposed correction

Send requests to:

Editorial Email

Content Updates

Articles may be reviewed when:

Interest rates change
Product fees change
Regulations change
Tax rules change
Companies publish new information
Market conditions change
Important links become unavailable
Reader feedback identifies an issue
New authoritative information becomes available

An updated publication date does not necessarily mean that every part of an article has been rewritten.

Content Removal

We generally prefer correction or clarification over removal.

Removal may be considered when content:

Is fundamentally inaccurate
Violates applicable law
Infringes intellectual-property rights
Reveals unjustified sensitive information
Creates a serious safety or fraud risk
Was published without proper authorisation
Cannot be brought into compliance with our standards

Requests are considered individually and are not automatically granted.

Diversity and Fairness

We aim to cover business and finance topics fairly and respectfully.

Content should avoid:

Discriminatory language
Unnecessary stereotypes
Personal attacks
Unsupported allegations
Misrepresentation of individuals or organisations

Businesses or individuals criticised in significant editorial coverage may be offered a reasonable opportunity to respond where appropriate.

Complaints

Editorial complaints should include:

The relevant article
The page address
The date viewed
A clear explanation of the issue
Supporting evidence
The requested outcome

Complaints may be sent to: