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Editorial & Methodology Policy

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Owner: Digital Hype (Bournemouth • Poole • Dorset • UK-wide)
Accountable editor: Paul Giles, Director & SEO Consultant
First published: 24 September 2025 · Last reviewed: 24 September 2025
Contact: Contact us · About Digital Hype 

Why This Matters

At Digital Hype, transparency is the foundation of our work. This policy explains how we research, fact-check, and update our content, how we test and maintain our free tools, and how we use AI responsibly. Our goal is to earn trust by showing exactly how we work behind the scenes.

1) Editorial Standards

Topic Selection

We cover subjects where we have hands-on expertise: SEO, web design, content creation, and social media marketing. We avoid filler or speculative commentary.

Authorship & Accountability

  • Articles are written by our team and reviewed by named consultants.
  • Final accountability rests with Paul Giles, Director & SEO Consultant.

Research & Fact-Checking

  • We rely on primary sources (Google documentation, Schema.org, ASA/CAP standards) and cross-check against reputable secondary sources.
  • When exact data isn’t available, we state our assumptions clearly.

Citations & Links

  • We link to sources that help readers verify information.
  • We do not accept paid guest posts, link swaps, or manipulative linking practices.

Updates & Corrections

  • Material errors are corrected quickly and logged.
  • Routine refreshes (screenshots, wording updates) trigger an updated “Last reviewed” date.

2) Methodology for Content & Research

When publishing guides or research (such as local SEO studies), we:

  • Define scope, geography and timeframe clearly.
  • Document metrics and formulas used.
  • Validate findings through second-consultant spot checks.
  • Acknowledge limitations, for example, SERPs change daily and reflect specific moments in time.

3) Methodology for Free Tools

Our Free SEO Tools are designed to be practical, transparent and safe to use.

  • Formulas & Rules: Based on accepted marketing and analytics practice.
  • Quality Assurance: Tested monthly across browsers and devices.
  • Versioning & Changelog: Each tool carries a visible last-updated date and version number.
  • Privacy: No personal data is stored; inputs are processed for output only.
  • Accessibility: We aim for WCAG-aligned colour contrast, keyboard navigation and clear labels.

4) Responsible Use of AI

AI is used minimally and always under human supervision.

  • Permitted uses: outlining, summarising long source material, code validation, drafting alternative phrasings.
  • Prohibited uses: auto-publishing articles, auto-generating outreach, doorway content, or making client decisions.
  • Human in the loop: Every output is reviewed and approved by a consultant before publication.

For UK data protection standards, see ICO guidance on AI.

5) Governance & Review

  • Service pages & core content: reviewed quarterly.
  • Blog articles & guides: reviewed biannually or on industry change.
  • Tools: tested monthly; logic updates noted in changelogs.
  • Research posts: state data collection windows and publish dates.

This policy is reviewed quarterly by Paul Giles.

6) Legal & Ethical Alignment

  • We align with CAP/ASA UK advertising standards and label material relationships if they occur.
  • Information here is for general guidance, not legal, financial or medical advice.
  • We attribute quotations, respect licensing, and disclose data sources.

Changelog

24 Sept 2025 — v1.0: Initial publication covering editorial standards, methodology, and AI disclosure.

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