Editorial Guidelines
These editorial guidelines govern all content published on The Coffee Locator. They define our standards for accuracy, independence, transparency, and fairness — ensuring every review, guide, and article earns your trust. Our core promise: Editorial integrity is not negotiable.
1Core Editorial Standards
Independence
We maintain complete editorial independence from manufacturers, brands, and business interests.
✓ What This Means:
- • Editorial team has final authority on all ratings
- • Business team cannot override editorial decisions
- • Affiliate revenue does not influence scores
- • Manufacturers cannot pay for better placement
✗ What We Don't Do:
- • Accept payment for positive reviews
- • Allow brands to preview content
- • Remove negative reviews due to pressure
- • Accept free products in exchange for coverage
Editorial Firewall Policy: The business team and editorial team operate independently. Business partnerships cannot influence editorial decisions. Cross-contamination is a fireable offense.
Accuracy
Every claim in our content must be factually accurate and verifiable.
Fact-Checking Requirements:
- ✓Product specifications verified against manufacturer documentation
- ✓Performance claims verified through testing
- ✓Third-party claims cited with sources
- ✓Testing data takes precedence over manufacturer claims when conflicting
Transparency & Fairness
Required Disclosures
- • Affiliate relationships (prominently displayed)
- • Product acquisition method (purchased vs. loaned)
- • Testing limitations (sample size, duration, context)
- • Update dates and reasons for changes
Fair Treatment Principles
- • Same testing standards for all products
- • No bias toward higher affiliate commissions
- • Constructive criticism balanced with strengths
- • Context provided for product positioning
2Testing & Review Ethics
Product Acquisition
Standard Practice: We purchase all products with our own funds.
| Product Category | Minimum Testing | Long-Term Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso Machines | 20 hours / 100+ shots | 60-90 days recommended |
| Grinders | 15 hours / 50+ doses | 60 days recommended |
| Drip Coffee Makers | 15 hours / 30+ brews | 30 days minimum |
| Manual Brewers | 10 hours / 30+ brews | 30 days recommended |
We do not publish "quick take" reviews — every review represents substantial hands-on experience.
Testing Objectivity
Blind Testing Requirements
When practical, we conduct blind tests to eliminate brand bias:
- ✓Espresso taste tests (machine branding hidden)
- ✓Grinder comparison tests (samples coded)
- ✓Drip coffee quality tests (carafe swaps)
Measurement Standards
- • Temperature: ±0.1°C accuracy required
- • Weight: ±0.1g precision required
- • TDS: Professional refractometer required
- • Pressure: Calibrated gauges required
3Rating Integrity
The 100-Point Scoring System
Our scoring system is standardized, weighted, and documented:
| Category | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Brew Quality | 30 pts | Temperature stability, extraction consistency, taste results |
| Consistency | 20 pts | Repeatability, shot-to-shot variance, reliability over time |
| Ease of Use | 20 pts | Learning curve, workflow efficiency, cleaning requirements |
| Build Quality | 15 pts | Materials, construction, durability, component quality |
| Value | 10 pts | Price-to-performance ratio, long-term ownership costs |
| Features | 5 pts | Innovation, programmability, versatility |
No Arbitrary Ratings: Every rating point must be justified by testing data or consensus reviewer assessment documented in our internal scoring sheets.
"Best" Picks and Awards
How we choose "Best Overall," "Best Value," etc.
Selection Criteria:
- ✓Based solely on testing performance and scoring
- ✓Updated when new products outperform current picks
- ✓Multiple "Best for X" categories to serve different needs
- ✓Price-tier specific picks (Best Budget, Best Premium, etc.)
Revenue Cannot Influence Awards: If a lower-commission product outperforms a higher-commission product, the better product wins. This has happened multiple times.
4Updates & Corrections Policy
When We Update Content
Regular Updates
- • Quarterly: Price checks, availability
- • Annually: Comprehensive re-testing
- • As-needed: When products change
Triggered Updates
- • New competitors launch
- • Price changes >10%
- • Quality control issues reported
Correction Policy
Minor Errors (typos, formatting)
- • Fixed immediately upon discovery
- • No public notation required
- • Updated date changed
Factual Errors (specs, features, prices)
- • Corrected within 48 hours
- • Notation added if material to recommendation
- • Explanation provided if affects rating
Material Errors (affects recommendation)
- • Corrected immediately
- • Prominent correction notice at article top
- • Rating adjusted if needed
How to Report Errors: Contact us with any concerns. Response time: Within 48 hours. Investigation and correction: Within 48 hours for factual errors.
5Affiliate & Advertising Policies
FTC Compliance
We comply fully with FTC guidelines on endorsements and disclosures (16 CFR Part 255).
Disclosure Requirements:
- ✓Prominent disclosure at top of article
- ✓Disclosure near affiliate links
- ✓Clear, plain language (not legalese)
- ✓Visible on mobile and desktop
Editorial Firewall
Separation of Church and State:
Editorial Team Controls:
- • All product testing and ratings
- • All "Best" picks and awards
- • All content recommendations
- • Review update decisions
- • Correction and retraction decisions
Business Team Controls:
- • Affiliate program partnerships
- • Advertising relationships
- • Sponsorship deals (if any)
- • Business development
No Cross-Contamination: Business team cannot preview editorial content. Editorial team doesn't consider revenue in recommendations. Conflicts escalated to editor-in-chief. Violations are termination-level offenses.
Learn More About Our Process
Last Updated: January 2026
We review and update our editorial guidelines annually and whenever industry best practices evolve.
Questions About Our Guidelines?
We welcome questions about our editorial process and standards. Transparency builds trust.
Contact: Get in Touch
Response Time: Typical response within 24–48 business hours.
We're committed to earning your trust through rigorous standards, transparent practices, and accountability. These guidelines are a living document — updated as we refine our processes and respond to reader feedback.