Strong health pages need a source trail that readers can actually inspect.
These standards explain how evidence is prioritized, how claims are phrased, and how references are surfaced on live pages.
Health content becomes unreliable fast when the evidence layer is fuzzy. The page may still look polished, but the reader can no longer tell which parts are supported, which parts are inferred, and which parts are just persuasive packaging.
These sourcing standards exist to keep the evidence layer explicit across explainers, product pages, pillar guides, and condition content.
We prefer sources that answer the real question, not just the most technical one.
Guidelines and strong reviews
Used for top-line conclusions, safety framing, and broad decision guidance.
Trials and comparative studies
Used for dosage context, protocol details, and better formulation logic.
Mechanistic and preclinical sources
Useful for explanation, but not enough to support strong real-world promises by themselves.
We try to separate what is observed, what is mechanistic, and what is clinically demonstrated.
- +If evidence is mixed, the page should say that directly.
- +If a source shows association rather than causation, the wording should reflect that.
- +If a claim only has animal or in vitro support, it should not be phrased as settled human benefit.
- +If product decisions depend on formulation, dosage, or testing quality, the article should explain those variables openly.
References should be complete enough to inspect and direct enough to use.
Where a source URL exists, the reference should link out. Pages should not hide the source trail behind generic footnotes or unlinked placeholders. If a link breaks, the reference should be repaired or replaced.
Internal related-guide links should also resolve to real live URLs. A polished page with dead internal routing is still a trust failure.
Affiliate-linked sections require stronger justification, not weaker standards.
- +CTAs should come after fit, dosage, formulation, pros, and tradeoffs are visible.
- +Pages should not imply that a product is clinically necessary when food, waiting, or a clinician conversation is the better answer.
- +Price, testing, concentration, and form factor should be treated as decision variables, not marketing copy.
Need the publishing rules around updates too?
Use the corrections policy and editorial policy for maintenance, update handling, and YMYL publishing safeguards.