Effective Date: September 29, 2026
Today Viral USA (“we”, “us”) is committed to journalism that is accurate, fair, independent and accountable. These standards apply to everyone who publishes on our site, including staff, freelancers and Expert Voices contributors.
1. Accuracy and verification
- We verify facts before publication and attribute information to its source. We seek at least one reliable, independent confirmation for significant claims, especially on trending or viral stories.
- We link to primary sources (studies, court filings, official data, original posts) wherever possible.
- Viral videos, images and social posts are checked for authenticity, context and date before we report on them. When something cannot be fully verified, we say so clearly.
- Headlines, images and social captions must accurately reflect the story. We do not publish misleading “clickbait” headlines.
2. Separating news, analysis and opinion
News reports aim to inform without taking sides. Analysis explains context and significance. Opinion and commentary, including many Expert Voices columns, reflect the author’s own views and are labeled as such.
3. Expert contributors
- We verify the stated credentials (degrees, licenses, professional experience) of every Expert Voices contributor before publication and display relevant credentials on their articles.
- Experts write within their field of expertise. Health, financial and legal content is general information, not individual professional advice; see our Disclaimer.
- Contributors must disclose financial interests, affiliations, sponsorships or relationships that could reasonably be seen as a conflict of interest. Relevant disclosures are published with the article.
4. Independence and conflicts of interest
Our editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, owners and political interests. Staff may not accept gifts, payments or favors that could compromise their independence. Editorial staff do not write about companies in which they hold a material financial interest without disclosure and editor approval.
5. Sponsored content, affiliate links and advertising
Paid or sponsored content is clearly labeled (for example “Sponsored” or “Paid Partnership”) and is visually distinct from editorial content. Some articles may contain affiliate links, for which we may earn a commission; these are disclosed. Advertisers never review or approve editorial content before publication. We follow the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on endorsements and native advertising.
6. Sources
We prefer named, on-the-record sources. We grant anonymity only when a source faces a genuine risk and the information is newsworthy and cannot be obtained otherwise; at least one editor must know the source’s identity. We never pay sources for information.
7. Fairness and right of reply
When a story contains serious allegations against a person or organization, we make a reasonable effort to contact them for comment before publication and reflect their response.
8. Images, video and AI
We do not alter photos or video in ways that mislead. Illustrations and photo composites are labeled. We do not publish AI-generated images or text as authentic reporting. If AI tools assist with tasks such as transcription, translation or drafting, a human editor reviews all content before publication and remains responsible for its accuracy.
9. Privacy, minors and sensitive subjects
We weigh the public interest against potential harm, especially when reporting on private individuals, minors, victims of crime, suicide and health. We avoid identifying minors in sensitive situations without parental consent and a clear public interest.
10. Corrections and accountability
We correct errors promptly and transparently. See our Corrections Policy. Questions about these standards can be sent to [Contact Email].