Editorial Policy
BankOfferScout's editorial policy sets the standards for accuracy, independence, sourcing, updates and the presentation of UK banking comparisons.
Accuracy and verification
Material factual claims should be supported by an appropriate source. Product-specific rates, fees, eligibility and promotional conditions require particular care because they can change without notice. Writers and editors should distinguish a live product fact from a durable explanation of how that type of product works.
Independent conclusions
Commercial relationships should not determine the wording of an editorial conclusion. A provider can appear in editorial research without being a commercial partner, and a commercial partner should not receive a favourable conclusion merely because a relationship exists. Sponsored or commercial placements should not be disguised as independent editorial ranking.
No universal 'best' claim without context
Banking products serve different use cases. A high savings rate can be unsuitable when access is too restrictive; a valuable switching bonus can lead to an account that is poor for long-term use. Our preferred approach is to explain the comparison criteria and the circumstances that make a product more or less relevant.
Clear treatment of promotions
Introductory rates, switching incentives and limited-period rewards should be described with the conditions needed to obtain them. Where practical, the ordinary post-promotion position should also be explained so the reader can distinguish temporary and recurring value.
Writing and structure
Headings should describe the decision or question being answered, not repeat marketing language. Tables and offer cards should surface important conditions rather than only the headline number. Related links should help a reader move to the next logical stage of research instead of sending them to unrelated content.
Updates and stale content
A page that contains live rates or active offers needs more frequent review than an evergreen guide. When a product is withdrawn or materially changed, the page should either be updated, reframed as historical context where genuinely useful, or redirected/removed if it no longer serves readers.
Conflicts, errors and reader feedback
Potential conflicts should be handled transparently. Reader reports of errors should be investigated against the best available source rather than dismissed or accepted automatically. Corrections should prioritise the accuracy of the page over preserving an earlier editorial position.
Editorial review before publication
Before publication, a page should answer a defined reader question, use a clear UK context and distinguish comparison criteria from promotional language. The editor should check that the title and headings match the actual content, that internal links lead to relevant next steps, and that any strong claim can be supported. Pages written around a provider should avoid transferring a rule from one product to another simply because both carry the same bank brand.
For pages that contain commercial-intent language such as “best”, “compare” or “offers”, the editorial burden is higher. The page should explain what is being compared, which conditions can reverse the apparent value and why a different reader may reach a different shortlist. A headline should invite research, not substitute for it.
Use of automation and editorial controls
Automation can help maintain repeated site elements, identify broken links, flag short pages and keep structured data consistent, but it should not be treated as a source of financial facts. Time-sensitive claims still require a suitable source, and generated wording should be reviewed for duplication, unsupported specificity and statements that could become misleading when a product changes.
BankOfferScout’s preferred publishing model is to use consistent structural standards while keeping the substance of each page specific to its topic. A shared checklist can improve completeness, but the article should still explain the distinctive risks, conditions and comparison questions raised by the product or process named in the title.
Important note
Banking products, provider terms and relevant rules can change. Product-specific information should be checked against the current provider material and, where appropriate, the relevant official source before action.