These Editorial Guidelines set the standards for content published by Planet HiFi. They are intended to help contributors produce clear, accurate, useful, and transparent coverage of hi-fi, audio products, and related topics.
Voice and purpose
- Clear: Prefer plain language and explain technical terms when they are needed.
- Useful: Address the questions a reader is likely to have and distinguish essential information from background detail.
- Respectful: Write for readers with different levels of knowledge, experience, and access to equipment.
- Transparent: Disclose relevant limitations, uncertainty, commercial relationships, and potential conflicts of interest.
Research and sourcing
- Use reliable sources that are appropriate to the claim. Prefer original documentation, manufacturer specifications, standards, measurements, and direct evidence where available.
- Attribute facts, quotations, data, and ideas to their sources. Link to the original source when it is useful to the reader.
- Cross-check consequential claims and do not present rumor, marketing language, or opinion as established fact.
- Use current information. When specifications, prices, availability, or software can change, state the relevant date or context.
- Do not copy another publisher’s work. Quotations must be limited, accurate, and properly attributed.
Reviews and comparisons
- State whether conclusions come from first-hand use, measurements, manufacturer information, or desk research. Never imply that a product was tested when it was not.
- Explain the criteria used for an evaluation and include meaningful strengths, limitations, and suitable use cases.
- Keep objective facts separate from listening impressions and other subjective judgments.
- Comparisons should be fair and based on relevant, like-for-like criteria. Avoid unsupported rankings or superlatives.
- If a review unit, service, travel, or other benefit was supplied, disclose the arrangement in the article when it could matter to a reader.
Editorial independence and commercial relationships
Commercial considerations must not determine an editorial conclusion. Paid or sponsored material should be identified clearly, and affiliate relationships should be disclosed where relevant. A positive review or recommendation must never be promised in exchange for money, products, access, or another benefit.
See our Advertiser Disclosure, Affiliate Disclosure, and No Gift Policy for related standards.
Accuracy, updates, and corrections
- Check names, specifications, figures, quotations, and links before publication.
- Use publication and update dates so readers can judge how current an article is.
- Correct material errors promptly and explain significant corrections or revisions when context is needed.
- Do not silently change a quotation or a conclusion in a way that misrepresents the earlier article.
Images and other media
- Use media that is relevant to the content and for which Planet HiFi has permission or another valid right of use.
- Attribute creators and sources where required, and do not remove notices that must remain with the work.
- Captions and alternative text should describe the image accurately. Material edits or illustrative composites should not be presented as documentary evidence.
Community and reader contributions
Comments and reader contributions should remain relevant and respectful. Spam, harassment, hate speech, threats, personal information, and unlawful material may be removed. Criticism and disagreement should not be removed merely because they are negative.
Privacy and responsible publishing
Do not publish private or sensitive personal information without a legitimate editorial reason and appropriate permission or legal basis. Handle reader information in accordance with the Privacy Policy. Our broader commitments are described in the Diversity Policy and Statement Against Slavery.
Questions and corrections
If you believe an article contains an error or does not meet these guidelines, please identify the article and the issue through our Contact page.