Sponsored Content Policy

Sixated accepts some commercial content, because independent publishing has to be funded somehow. What we do not accept is deception. This page sets out exactly how sponsored content works here, so a reader is never fooled into mistaking an advertisement for an editorial recommendation.

Sponsored means labelled — clearly

Any content that a brand has paid for, or that has been produced as part of a commercial arrangement, is clearly and prominently labelled “SPONSORED.” The label is not buried in the footer or hidden in small grey type. If you are reading something a brand paid to place, you will be able to tell at a glance. Our independent guides — the tested, editor-chosen Top-6 lists — are never sponsored, and sponsorship can never buy a place among a guide’s six picks.

The hard limits

Some things are simply off the table, regardless of budget:

• No paid links. We do not sell dofollow links, we do not insert a client’s URL into editorial copy, and we do not accept payment to link out. Sponsored content is labelled advertising, not a link-buying scheme dressed up as an article.
• No gambling or casino content. We do not run sponsored content, advertising or partnerships for gambling, betting or casinos, in any form.
• No categories that clash with our values. We also decline sponsorship in areas such as cryptocurrency speculation and adult content. Our audience comes to us for considered living, and we keep it that way.

Editorial standards still apply

Sponsored does not mean lawless. Anything published under the Sixated name — even when a brand has paid for it — must still be accurate, must not make claims we would refuse in editorial, and must not mislead. We fact-check sponsored copy, we will not publish false or unsubstantiated statements just because a sponsor wants them, and we retain the right to say no to a campaign that conflicts with our standards. A brand buys reach and a clearly marked platform; it does not buy the right to lie to our readers.

The firewall

Sponsors have no influence over our independent editorial. Buying a sponsorship or an ad does not earn a brand favourable coverage in our guides, a higher ranking, softer verdicts, or immunity from criticism. Editorial decisions are made by editorial, entirely separately from commercial arrangements, as set out in our Editorial Policy and Ethics page. If a company both advertises with us and appears in a guide, it earned the guide placement on merit, independently — never because of the ad.

How sponsored content differs from affiliate links

These are two different things and we keep them distinct. Sponsored content is paid placement, labelled as such. Affiliate links appear inside independent editorial: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission, but the picks were chosen on merit first and commission never sets the ranking — see our Review Methodology. Neither compromises the independence of our recommendations.

Work with us — honestly

If you represent a brand whose values fit ours and you want to reach the Sixated audience, we would like to hear from you. Details of what we offer and what we will and will not run are on our Advertise page, or write to advertising@sixated.com.