Editorial Policy

Independence Rules

Editorial independence is non-negotiable. Our policy is simple:

Sourcing Hierarchy

We prioritize different information sources. Primary sources (our own visits, club direct communication) are more reliable than secondary sources (third-party reviews, news coverage). Here's our hierarchy:

We state our confidence level in every factual claim. When information comes from a Tier 3 source, we note it. When we verified something directly, we say so.

Corrections Log

When we make errors, we correct them promptly and publicly. Here's our correction log showing recent updates:

Have you found an error? Email us with corrections. Include the specific claim, the source you're citing, and what should be corrected.

Reviews & Ratings Methodology

We avoid simple star ratings because they oversimplify. Instead, we describe what makes each club distinct:

• We focus on objective facts: Operating hours, membership requirements, product selection, physical facilities, safety features.
• We note subjective experiences: Atmosphere, community vibe, staff friendliness. We're clear about what we're observing vs. judging.
• We document concerns: If a club has legal issues, safety concerns, or inconsistencies between claims and reality, we note them.
• We assess for different reader needs: A tourist might care about English-speaking staff and accessibility. A local might prioritize product quality and community. We describe clubs in ways that serve multiple reader types.
• We note what we don't know: If we couldn't verify something or have limited information, we say so.

Our reviews aren't grades. They're descriptions meant to help readers decide if a club fits their needs.

Anonymity Rationale

Our team operates anonymously for several reasons:

AI Disclosure

We use AI tools (like Claude) for writing assistance, editing, fact-checking templates, and research organization. We disclose this because readers deserve to know how content is produced.

We don't use AI to:

• Make editorial decisions about which clubs to include
• Write reviews without human verification
• Generate fake research or unsourced claims
• Replace our verification process

We use AI to streamline writing and editing while keeping humans in charge of accuracy, independence, and editorial judgment.

Conflict of Interest Rules

Team members disclose conflicts and recuse themselves when necessary:

• Personal relationships: If a team member has a personal relationship with a club owner or staff member, they don't write about that club.
• Financial interests: If a team member owns a stake in a club or related business, they disclose it and don't write editorial content about it.
• Friendships: Close friendships with club owners introduce bias. We note these relationships and proceed carefully.
• Family connections: Immediate family involvement in clubs we cover is disclosed.
• Prior employment: If a team member previously worked at a club we review, we note this and consider recusal.

Disclosure doesn't always mean exclusion. Sometimes disclosed conflicts can be managed through transparency. But when a conflict is too significant, team members step back from the story.