{"id":48000,"date":"2025-07-29T00:45:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T04:45:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/?page_id=48000"},"modified":"2025-09-16T03:22:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T07:22:44","slug":"editorial-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/editorial-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Editorial Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Editorial Policy of The Stone Magazine<\/h1>\n<p><strong>The Stone Magazine<\/strong> is an industry-focused online publication about the U.S. stone market, launched in early 2025 by the team behind Countertops Contractors \u2014 the first national rating platform for stone product manufacturers and installers.<\/p>\n<p>Our editorial policy applies to expert articles published in the magazine free of charge. It has been developed for our contributors to ensure the creation and publication of high-quality, expert, and informative content that serves the interests of our readers and supports the growth of the industry.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Our Mission<\/h2>\n<p>To create a leading platform for stone industry professionals and homeowners by providing relevant, reliable, and practical knowledge and insights that reflect the current state of the industry, support its development, and help both professionals and homeowners make informed decisions.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Our Core Values<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Expertise:<\/strong> We publish content only from recognized professionals with proven experience<\/li>\n<li><strong>Practical Value:<\/strong> Every article provides readers with actionable knowledge and concrete solutions<\/li>\n<li><strong>Credibility:<\/strong> All facts and recommendations are verified and supported by reliable sources<\/li>\n<li><strong>Objectivity:<\/strong> We maintain editorial independence and avoid hidden advertising<\/li>\n<li><strong>Support for Industry Growth:<\/strong> We explore the past, reflect on the present, and help shape the future of the U.S. stone industry through knowledge exchange between professionals and non-professionals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Author Requirements<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Professionals:<\/strong> Minimum of 2\u20133 years of experience, qualifications info, U.S.-market focused content<\/li>\n<li><strong>Consumers:<\/strong> Personal experience with stone products, practical advice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>More details available on the \u201cBecome an Author\u201d page.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Requirements for Expert Contributor Content<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Key Quality Principles<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Originality and Uniqueness<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Content must be written specifically for The Stone Magazine<\/li>\n<li>Rewriting at least 70% required if republishing<\/li>\n<li>Plagiarism is strictly prohibited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Relevance and Practical Value<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Must address current U.S. stone industry needs<\/li>\n<li>Must reflect U.S. standards, regulations, and market<\/li>\n<li>Must provide actionable knowledge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Accuracy and Objectivity<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>All claims must be supported by reliable sources<\/li>\n<li>Opinions must be clearly marked<\/li>\n<li>Content must remain unbiased<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Policy on AI-Generated Content<\/h3>\n<h4>Not allowed:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Fully AI-generated material without human involvement<\/li>\n<li>Undisclosed use of AI as original author<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Allowed:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Drafting, structuring, research, grammar &amp; style assistance with AI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Nature of Published Content<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Informative and educational<\/li>\n<li>Subtle demonstration of expertise<\/li>\n<li>Mention of company only in expert context<\/li>\n<li>No service promotion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Not accepted:<\/strong> Direct ads, commercial offers, product presentations, promotional content.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Technical Requirements<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Article Formats<\/h3>\n<h4>Format 1: Classic Expert Article<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Engaging headline<\/li>\n<li>2\u20133 paragraph intro<\/li>\n<li>Main body with subheadings<\/li>\n<li>Practical conclusions<\/li>\n<li>Summary section<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Format 2: Q&amp;A Style Article<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Headline showing Q&amp;A<\/li>\n<li>Author bio (1\u20132 paragraphs)<\/li>\n<li>Topic context (1\u20132 paragraphs)<\/li>\n<li>6\u201310 questions as subheadings (H3), with 150\u2013400 word answers each<\/li>\n<li>Summary of key tips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Q&amp;A Format Requirements<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Real questions from audience<\/li>\n<li>U.S.-specific, actionable answers<\/li>\n<li>Expertise and real-life examples encouraged<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Format 3: Expert Interview<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Clear title &amp; topic<\/li>\n<li>Expert bio (2\u20133 paragraphs)<\/li>\n<li>Interview context (1\u20132 paragraphs)<\/li>\n<li>8\u201312 structured questions, 200\u2013500 word answers<\/li>\n<li>Conclusion with recommendations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Interview Process<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Application \u2192 Question prep \u2192 Interview \u2192 Editing \u2192 Approval \u2192 Publication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Interview Benefits<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimal expert time<\/li>\n<li>Personal profile &amp; recognition<\/li>\n<li>SEO and conversational style<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Visual Content Requirements<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Authors provide all visuals<\/li>\n<li>Must be legal and high quality (min. 1200px, JPG\/PNG\/WebP)<\/li>\n<li>Every image must have a caption<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Link Policy<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allowed:<\/strong> Internal TSM links, authoritative sources<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prohibited:<\/strong> Direct links to author\u2019s site, commercial\/promotional links<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Author links are allowed only in their profile page.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Editorial Process<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Author Application:<\/strong> Form submission, qualification check<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coordination:<\/strong> Topic, format, deadlines<\/li>\n<li><strong>Material Submission:<\/strong> Article or interview<\/li>\n<li><strong>Editorial Processing:<\/strong> Compliance, editing, SEO<\/li>\n<li><strong>Author Approval:<\/strong> Review and finalize<\/li>\n<li><strong>Publication:<\/strong> Site upload, author page, promotion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Editorial Rights<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Style edits without approval<\/li>\n<li>Substantive changes with approval<\/li>\n<li>Final publication decision<\/li>\n<li>SEO\/AEO optimization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Benefits of Publishing<\/h2>\n<h4>Professional:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Showcase expertise<\/li>\n<li>Personal author page<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Marketing:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>High visibility via SEO &amp; promotion<\/li>\n<li>Email newsletter &amp; social sharing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Legal:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Copyright remains with the author<\/li>\n<li>Can republish after 30 days with backlink<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Copyright &amp; Ethical Standards<\/h2>\n<h4>Copyright:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Author retains copyright<\/li>\n<li>Non-exclusive license granted to TSM<\/li>\n<li>Backlink required for republishing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Ethics:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Disclose sponsorships\/affiliations<\/li>\n<li>No plagiarism, misinformation, discrimination, copyright violations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Cost of Publishing<\/h2>\n<p>Publishing expert articles is <strong>free of charge<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Submission Process<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Fill out the form<\/li>\n<li>Describe expertise &amp; topic<\/li>\n<li>Discuss with editor<\/li>\n<li>Prepare article or give interview<\/li>\n<li>Approve final version<\/li>\n<li>Article is published &amp; promoted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The Stone Magazine<\/strong> strives to be the leading platform for U.S. stone professionals. Join our community \u2014 share your knowledge, enhance your reputation, and support industry growth!<\/p>\n<p><em>This policy may be updated. The latest version is available on our website.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editorial Policy of The Stone Magazine The Stone Magazine is an industry-focused online publication about the U.S. stone market, launched in early 2025 by the team behind Countertops Contractors \u2014 the first national rating platform for stone product manufacturers and installers. Our editorial policy applies to expert articles published in the magazine free of charge. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48000"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48000"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48000\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/countertopscontractors.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}