Our readers deserve clarity on how and why Unpacked.gg creates content. This public‑facing policy summarises the key principles that guide every review, guide, and news feature you see on our site. Internal workflows, Slack channel names, and proprietary processes are kept private; what follows is everything the public needs to understand and trust our work.

1. Mission & Values

• Put users first. We highlight real costs, odds, and shipping terms so shoppers can make informed choices.
• Stay hype‑light, truth‑heavy. Energy and memes keep things fun but never override facts.
• Protect minors. All content is aimed at adults (18+) and clearly labelled as such.

2. Editorial Independence

Unpacked.gg’s writers and editors operate under a strict “review first, deal second” rule. Commercial partnerships never influence:

1. Our verdicts or star ratings.
2. The order in which products appear in reviews or lists.
3. Whether we cover a product at all.

If a merchant disagrees with a published rating, they can submit evidence and we’ll review it—facts may change scores; ad spend never does.

3. Fact‑Checking & Sources

• Two‑source rule: Numbers like drop odds or delivery times must be confirmed via two independent sources or first‑hand testing.
• Transparent citation: We footnote data with source name, URL, and access date. Screenshots of transient data are archived.
• Annual audits: High‑traffic reviews are re‑tested at least once per year.

4. Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure

Unpacked.gg earns revenue through affiliate links and sponsored placements. We keep it crystal clear:

• Disclosure label appears before any first outbound affiliate link.
• Budget reminder (“Budget first, rip second.”) precedes big CTAs to promote mindful spending.
• No false scarcity: Countdown timers appear only when verified by the merchant.

5. Corrections & Updates

If we get something wrong, we own it:

1. A visible Correction notice is added to the top of the article.
2. The change log lists what was fixed and why.
3. Serious factual errors trigger an email notification to subscribers who received the original story.

6. User Feedback & Complaints

Spotted an error or shady claim? Email contact@unpacked.gg with the URL and details. We aim to respond within two business days.

7. Accessibility Commitment

• All images contain descriptive alt text.
• We target WCAG AA contrast for text and UI elements.
• Videos feature captions or transcripts.

8. AI & Automation Disclosure

We leverage AI tools strictly for research acceleration—e.g., transcribing interviews, parsing large data sets, or spotting pricing anomalies. Humans make every editorial decision: writing, rating, and final approval. AI never green‑lights a score or headline on its own.

9. Diversity & Inclusion

We strive to present examples, imagery, and language that reflect a broad range of genders, cultures, and abilities. Stereotypes or slang that punch down are scrubbed in copy‑edit. Diverse voices are encouraged to pitch and byline stories.

10. Sampling & Review Integrity

We review platforms like Hypedrop and Cases.gg by running controlled digital tests, not by filming physical unboxings:

1. In‑App Test Runs – Reviewers open boxes using a fresh test account and record full‑screen capture of every pull. Videos are archived for potential audits.
2. Merchant Credits – If a site provides complimentary credits, we log and disclose the value in the review footer. Free credits never influence ratings or editorial order.
3. Sell‑Back vs Shipping Check – For items that can be flipped for site credit or shipped, we document both flows: cash‑out speed, fees, and real‑world delivery times (tracked via screenshots and community‑sourced tracking numbers).
4. No Resale Policy – Any physical item that reaches our office is donated or raffled to readers; staff never resell loot or pocket proceeds.

Our aim is to capture reproducible data—drop odds, credit cost, cash‑out friction—not influencer‑style hype videos.

11. Comment & Community Policy. Comment & Community Policy

Healthy discussion fuels smarter shoppers. Toxicity doesn’t. We delete:

• Hate speech, personal attacks, or harassment.
• Fake “wins” posted to pump a merchant.
• Spam links or autofarmed bot comments.
  Repeat offenders earn a permanent ban. Comment section = PG‑13 at minimum.

12. Environmental Footprint

Excess packaging and carbon‑heavy shipping are flagged in reviews. We applaud merchants that:

• Offer eco‑friendly packaging or carbon‑neutral delivery.
• Allow box bundling to cut down waste.
  We’re tracking our own emissions too—annual sustainability report coming 2026.

13. Regional Compliance Statement

Unpacked.gg aligns its editorial and advertising practices with the consumer‑protection and loot‑box regulations of each target market. Key frameworks we follow include:

• UK: Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) CAP Code for prize mechanics and influencer transparency.
• US: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) endorsement & testimonial guidelines plus state‑level loot‑box bills.
• EU: Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD) and any member‑state guidance on digital prizes.
  Content that does not meet the strictest applicable rule set is rejected or rewritten before publication.

14. Data‑Privacy & Cookie Use

Analytics cookies help us see which reviews resonate; they do not influence ratings or collect personally identifiable information without consent. Full details live in our Privacy Notice. Highlights:

• IPs are anonymised within 24 hours.
• Heat‑mapping tools blur checkout fields.
• We honour “Do Not Track” and GDPR opt‑outs.

15. Editorial Sponsorship Rules

Occasionally a merchant may fund a sponsored feature or “deep dive.” When that happens:

1. The headline carries a “Sponsored” tag; the byline notes the sponsor.
2. Sponsored content uses a distinct colour banner so it can’t be mistaken for an independent review.
3. All claims within sponsored pieces still pass our fact‑check and compliance process—money never overrides accuracy.

For deeper, behind‑the‑scenes details—like our internal escalation paths or QA checklists—please view our Full Editorial Handbook (PDF), available upon request for academic or regulatory review.