Editorial Policy
TimeToPrep uses AI-assisted drafting inside a human-governed editorial process. Automation speeds research and assembly; people decide what publishes. This page documents that process so readers can hold us to it.
The §0 gate (non-negotiable)
No article publishes unless both conditions are met:
- Verifiable element — at least one first-hand observation, test result, or expert-sourced fact the drafting tools could not invent.
- Human editorial review — a qualified reviewer edits if needed and approves publication against our accuracy standard.
Multi-pass pipeline
Every guide runs through staged review before the human gate:
- Research against authoritative sources (USDA, Ready.gov, CDC, manufacturers, peer-reviewed work).
- Outline mapped to search intent and internal links within the topic cluster.
- Draft, then independent fact-check on YMYL-sensitive claims.
- Citation pass — internal cluster links plus external sources.
- SEO/AEO structure for clarity and answer-engine readability.
- Voice pass to match the lane (factual, calm, minimal editorial for guides).
- Humanize pass to remove formulaic AI phrasing.
- Human review — approve, edit, or reject.
Lane-specific rules
- Evergreen guides — accuracy-first voice; prepare/during/aftermath structure where it fits the topic.
- News — two or more independent sources required before publication; short attributed quotes only.
- Product coverage — transparent methodology; consensus synthesis across trusted creators; no undisclosed testing claims.
- Crisis resources (Tier B) — pure curation from authoritative institutions; resource-first layout; not advice.
Corrections
We correct factual errors promptly when verified. Material updates receive a revised
updatedDate in the article metadata. Email corrections@timetoprep.com to report an issue.
What we do not publish
- Scraped or lightly reworded third-party articles.
- Single-source news.
- Fear-marketing or extremist survivalist framing.
- Content that bypasses human review.
Testing & first-hand experience
Food-storage coverage includes real household observations — labeled pantry inventories, dated storage tests, and rotation logs from ordinary home conditions. When we expand into product reviews, on-page methodology will state exactly what was tested in-house versus synthesized from trusted sources.