Editorial Guidelines & Review Standards
Every guide, formula, and interactive tool published on SelectMyBlog adheres to strict standards of physical accuracy, straightforward writing, and transparent sourcing.
1. The Answer-First Policy
We believe readers come to interior design guides for quick, reliable decisions rather than poetic essays about ambiance. Therefore, our writers must provide the core answer, exact measurement, or formula within the first 40 to 60 words of every article.
Furthermore, every major section begins with direct, actionable advice. If an article addresses dining room table clearance, the first sentence specifies the exact 36-inch walkway standard before exploring room variations or chair styles.
2. Anti-AI Writing Benchmark & Voice Standards
We enforce strict human quality benchmarks inspired by Wikipedia’s guidelines on identifying artificial intelligence writing:
Active Voice Mandatory
We maintain over 85% active voice. We favor direct verbs: Anchor, Measure, Align, Mount, and Balance instead of passive, detached phrasing.
Zero Canned Phrasal Templates
We ban formulaic opening sentences like “Mastering [topic] demands...” Every sentence is written specifically for the immediate practical scenario.
Banned Clichés & Puffery
Our editorial linter rejects over 60 overused clichés including delve, tapestry, game-changer, seamless, elevate, beacon, and focal point.
Pragmatic Candor
We share genuine decorator trade secrets and call out practical mistakes plainly, including wall damage risks and hollow anchor failures.
3. Evidence-Based Research & Sourcing
We do not fabricate first-hand lab testing, fake contractor quotes, or invented customer surveys. Every claim regarding weight tolerances, paint VOC emissions, or fabric wear must be anchored in verifiable sources:
- Manufacturer Hardware Specifications: Weight limits, screw shear tolerances, and bracket thickness.
- Third-Party Material Certifications: OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
- Standard Residential Building Guidelines: Standard counter heights, stairway handrail clearances, and door swing radii.
- Transparent Pricing Benchmarks: All cost figures are clearly labeled as planning estimates or current retail averages rather than definitive contractor bids.
4. Interactive Tool Verification
Alongside our editorial guides, we design interactive calculators to eliminate human error. Every formula powering our tools—from curtain fullness ratios to board and batten spacing—is tested against standard architectural reference manuals before deployment.
5. Corrections and Fact-Checking Protocol
Home decor products evolve, paint manufacturers update undertones, and hardware models get discontinued. We maintain an active fact-checking protocol:
Reader Reports: Readers can flag factual inaccuracies or broken links at any time via our Contact Page.
Verification Turnaround: Our senior editorial team investigates reported discrepancies against official manufacturer documentation within 48 hours.
Article Updates: When a correction is verified, we revise the published article, update the calculation parameters if necessary, and log the revision date at the top of the guide.
Questions for Our Editorial Board?
To submit a suggestion, request clarification on our formulas, or propose an interior decor topic for coverage, write directly to editorial@selectmyblog.com.