CiteFuel Editorial Policy

This policy applies to CiteFuel research reports, methodology pages, educational articles, comparison pages, and data-led analysis. Our goal is useful, checkable publishing: readers should be able to tell who is responsible, what evidence supports a claim, what the work did not measure, and how to challenge it.

Authorship and review

Pages use an individual byline when one person leads the work. “CiteFuel Research Team” means the work was produced collaboratively under CiteFuel's editorial process; it is not a claim of an independent newsroom. Research and technical publications identify a responsible editor. Before publication, a human reviews material factual claims, calculations, source links, measurement boundaries, and conclusions. Product and code behavior are checked against the current implementation or its published methodology when applicable.

Evidence and source rules

  • Prefer primary documentation, direct measurements, original datasets, and first-party records.
  • Name the sample, collection date, denominator, method, and meaningful limitations for quantitative claims.
  • Separate measured observations from interpretation, opinion, and forward-looking statements.
  • Do not present correlation as causation or a technical eligibility check as proof of ranking, recommendation, or citation.
  • Link sources near the claim when practical and preserve downloadable aggregate data when publication rights allow.
  • Do not treat an AI model's generated answer as an authoritative source for a factual claim.

AI assistance

CiteFuel may use AI tools for research organization, drafting, editing, code assistance, or quality checks. AI tools are not credited as authors and do not approve publication. A human remains responsible for verifying facts, sources, calculations, quotations, claims, and final wording. When AI assistance materially shapes a publication's analysis rather than routine editing or tooling, we disclose that on the affected page.

Commercial relationships, funding, and affiliates

CiteFuel is a commercial product owned and operated by VantaWeb, and publications may link to CiteFuel tools or services. Sponsorships, paid placements, or affiliate relationships must be labeled where a reader would encounter them. Compensation does not buy a favorable finding, ranking, review, or omission. Editorial and research conclusions must remain supported by the same evidence rules whether or not a company is a customer, partner, competitor, or affiliate.

Ownership and conflicts of interest

VantaWeb's ownership is disclosed in CiteFuel's site footer and on research pages where relevant. If CiteFuel, VantaWeb, a customer, or a commercial partner is directly evaluated, the relationship is disclosed and the same method and limitations apply. We do not describe CiteFuel research as independent of VantaWeb.

Corrections and contact

We correct material factual or methodological errors and attach a dated note when the change affects a reader's interpretation. Typographical changes that do not alter meaning may be fixed without a notice. See the corrections process, email research@citefuel.com for research concerns, or email support@citefuel.com for other editorial questions.

Policy effective July 12, 2026.