Editorial standards

These are the rules behind every ZapTrend News article.

How we choose stories

We watch which topics are gaining attention online, but attention alone isn't enough. A story has to help readers, and we have to be able to add something, such as a clearer explanation, analysis or an original visual.

How articles are made

We use AI tools to help with research and drafting. A person reviews every article, including its title and description, before it goes public. Publishing software blocks any article without a recorded review.

Sources

Each claim cites a source, with original sources preferred, and main stories need at least two independent publishers. We write in our own words and link to everything we use.

What we don't know

We say when something is unconfirmed. Search interest shows that people are curious, not why, so we don't state a cause without evidence. Anything we estimate is labeled as an estimate.

Sensitive topics

Articles on health, law, money and immigration are general information, not professional advice, and they get extra review.

Corrections and updates

We fix mistakes quickly and add a dated note. We change an article's date only when its content substantially changes. Report a mistake.