NetVocab explains the words people run into online and in everyday life. This page sets out how we decide what to publish, how we check it, and how we handle guest contributions, sponsorship and mistakes.
What we publish
We publish plain-English explanations of slang, tech and AI terms, grammar, and everyday jargon from money, property and paperwork. We also publish longer articles on internet culture and reviews of websites and tools that readers ask us about.
Every piece should leave a reader understanding something they did not before. If an article does not do that, we do not publish it.
How we research a term
- Usage first. We look at how a word is actually used in public posts, comments, product pages and news coverage, not only at how it is defined elsewhere.
- Multiple meanings. When a term means different things in different places, we list each meaning and explain how context tells them apart.
- Honest origins. Etymology on the internet is often uncertain. When we are not sure where a word came from, we say so instead of repeating a neat story.
- Checked facts. Dates, names and claims are checked against primary or reputable sources before publication. If a claim cannot be checked, it is cut.
How we write
We write for a smart reader who is new to the subject. That means short sentences, the answer first, every technical term explained the first time it appears, and no hype. Explanations of money, health or legal terms are general information, not advice, and say so.
Use of AI tools
Writers may use AI tools for research or drafting. Every published piece has a human who has read it in full, checked every claim, and is accountable for it. We do not publish unedited AI output.
Guest contributions
We accept guest articles from people with real knowledge of their subject, mainly on tech, AI and everyday jargon. Guest posts go through the same editing and fact-checking as our own work, carry the author’s name and a short bio, and may include a small number of relevant links. Our guidelines for contributors cover this in full.
Sponsored content
If an article is paid for, it says so at the top of the page, and every link to the sponsor or its partners is marked rel="sponsored". Sponsorship never buys a favourable review, a changed definition, or removal of criticism.
Reviews
Reviews explain what we checked, when we checked it, and what we could not confirm. We do not accept payment for reviews, and links to reviewed sites are marked rel="nofollow". The full process is on our review methodology page.
Corrections and updates
Language changes, and so do the facts around it. When we find an error, or a reader reports one, we correct it promptly. Substantial changes are reflected in the page’s updated date. To report a mistake, use the contact form.
Independence
Editorial decisions are made by NetVocab alone. Advertisers, sponsors and contributors do not see or approve articles about their own products before publication.