1. Why this exists
Generative engines and journalists alike rely on context to weigh a quote. A quote from someone who advises the company they're commenting on means something different from one issued at arm's length. Hiding that difference erodes the platform's value for everyone. So we don't.
2. What you must disclose
You must disclose any of the following when posting a pitch, quote, or Citable Packet:
- Employment, advisory, or consulting relationships with subjects of the quote
- Equity, options, or other financial interests in named entities
- Board or governance positions at named entities
- Direct funding from named entities in the past 24 months
- Family or domestic-partnership relationships that could influence the response
- Pending litigation, employment disputes, or NDA constraints relevant to the topic
3. What you do not need to disclose
- General industry experience or past employers older than five years and no longer commercially relevant
- Use of a product as a regular customer with no special arrangement
- Public commentary on a topic in unrelated venues
4. How disclosure appears
Disclosure text appears on the same page as the quote — never collapsed, never behind a click. It appears in the JSON-LD emitted on the canonical source page so generative engines can lift it together with the quote.
5. Late discovery
If a relevant interest emerges after a packet has been published, you must update the disclosure within 7 days. We notify the receiving journalist of the change and update the canonical record.
6. Three Strikes
Three substantiated complaints of undisclosed material interests result in revocation of the Verified Expert badge. Revocation is logged, dated, and visible on the canonical profile. Reinstatement requires editorial review.
7. Appeals
Any user whose badge is revoked may appeal in writing to [email protected] within 30 days. Appeals are reviewed by a human editor, not by an automated system.
8. Reporting
If you believe a Guestcrew member has failed to disclose a material interest, please report it to [email protected]. We treat reports confidentially. Bad-faith reporting is itself grounds for action.