EST. 2026 / HUMAN REQUIRED

Editorial Standards

How we research, write, review, and correct articles on humanrequired.org. The short version: a human reviews every article before it goes live, and we say so on every page.

Research

Every claim that is not common knowledge is sourced. We prefer primary documentation (vendor advisories, RFCs, original research papers, court filings) over secondary reporting. When we cite a news article, we link to the primary source where possible.

We do not use anonymous sources. We do not invent quotes. We do not paraphrase rumors as fact.

Writing

Articles are written for intelligent readers who do not have time to waste. We aim for clarity, not cleverness. We avoid jargon where plain language will do. We use technical terms where the technical term is the right one.

Our voice is direct, occasionally dry, never breathy. We do not write “in today’s digital age.” We do not use “10 things you need to know” listicles unless the list genuinely is the best way to convey the information.

AI in the workflow

AI tools may assist with drafting and research. They do not publish articles. Every article is reviewed by a human editor before publication, and we mark AI-assisted articles where the assistance materially affects the reader’s trust.

We do not use AI to generate images that are presented as photographs. Featured images on this site are abstract concepts, technical diagrams, or editorial illustrations. They are not photorealistic depictions of real events, people, or places.

Review

Every article is reviewed for:

• Accuracy of technical claims
• Currency (technology changes; we update when sources change)
• Clarity and editorial voice
• Source quality
• Conflict of interest disclosure

The reviewer is identified on the article. Articles that have not been reviewed are not published.

Corrections

We make mistakes. When we do, we correct them visibly. Material corrections are noted at the top of the article with a date stamp. The original text is preserved in the version history.

If you spot an error, email us with the URL, the claim, and a source. We respond to credible correction requests within seven days.

Conflicts and disclosure

Editors and contributors disclose any financial, professional, or personal relationship that could influence their coverage. This includes:

• Equity, employment, or consulting relationships with companies we cover
• Free products or services received from vendors
• Personal relationships with sources

Disclosures appear on the article when relevant. They are not buried in a footer.

Affiliate and sponsored content

We do not run sponsored posts. We do not accept payment for editorial coverage. If we ever recommend a paid product, we may earn a small commission through an affiliate link. Affiliate links are marked, and the commission does not influence our recommendation.

Advertising

This site does not run advertising. If that changes, we will say so here, prominently.

Updates and archiving

Articles are dated when published and dated again when substantially updated. The publication date and last-updated date are shown on every article. We do not silently rewrite history.

Articles remain published even when outdated. We add update notices and link to newer coverage where appropriate.

Comments and community

Comments are open on articles. We moderate for spam, abuse, and off-topic. We do not delete legitimate criticism. We may lock threads when discussion has run its course.

Contact the editor

For corrections, tips, sources, and editorial concerns: info@humanrequired.org. We read everything.