Next-Gen Gaming Blog does not currently publish sponsored articles or partner content as a regular commercial format.
This policy explains the standards that would apply if NGB introduces sponsored or paid-partnership content in the future.
Current Position
NGB currently separates advertising from independent editorial publishing and does not offer paid articles as a standard product.
Payment, gifts, access, review codes, hardware loans, event invitations or other benefits do not create a right to:
- a positive review;
- a favourable verdict;
- an editorial recommendation;
- a ranking position;
- approval of independent editorial copy;
- guaranteed coverage;
- the removal of legitimate criticism.
The absence of a regular sponsored-content format means that ordinary NGB articles should not be interpreted as paid placements unless a clear disclosure states otherwise.
If Sponsored Content Is Introduced
Future sponsored or partner content must:
- be clearly labelled as Sponsored, Partner Content or Advertisement;
- identify the commercial nature of the relationship before or near the main content;
- be visually distinguishable from independent editorial material;
- avoid presentation as an independent review;
- avoid false, deceptive or unsupported claims;
- remain relevant to the NGB audience;
- comply with the publication’s prohibited-topic and advertising standards.
Labelling should be clear enough for a reader to understand the commercial relationship without having to search for a disclosure or infer it from the wording.
Acceptable Subject Areas
If the format is introduced, suitable topics may be limited to:
- video games;
- gaming platforms;
- gaming hardware;
- official gaming services;
- gaming events and conventions;
- developer or publisher campaigns directly relevant to NGB readers.
Relevance alone does not guarantee acceptance. The claims, destination, commercial terms and presentation must also be suitable.
Rejected Sponsored Topics
NGB would reject sponsored content involving:
- illegal products or services;
- piracy, cheats, hacks or account selling;
- malware, spyware or deceptive downloads;
- gambling, betting or casinos;
- cryptocurrency or high-risk investments;
- political campaigning;
- weapons or military products;
- adult content or dating services;
- hate or extremist content;
- unsupported medical, legal or financial claims;
- fake giveaways or testimonials;
- unrelated films, television, lifestyle or general consumer products;
- material designed to imitate independent journalism.
A prohibited subject cannot become acceptable merely because it is presented through a gaming-themed creative or campaign.
Reviews and Rankings
Sponsored content must not be presented as an independent review.
A sponsor cannot purchase a score, verdict, recommendation or ranking position.
Paid visibility does not determine editorial ranking position.
Commercial content may describe a product’s features or campaign message, but it should not imitate the independent evaluation expected from an NGB review.
Editorial and Commercial Roles
Commercial requirements may determine the subject, timing or approved factual materials in a clearly labelled sponsored article.
They must not determine unrelated NGB coverage or change independent editorial conclusions.
Where NGB cannot present the commercial material clearly and honestly, the proposal should be declined.
A sponsor’s involvement should be limited to the disclosed commercial material and should not be used to influence corrections, rankings or articles outside that arrangement.
Claims and Evidence
Sponsored material should not contain claims that are false, misleading or unsupported.
Statements involving technical performance, compatibility, pricing, availability or comparisons should be supported by identifiable information and qualified where necessary.
Promotional language should not obscure important conditions or create a false impression that NGB independently verified a claim when it did not.
Corrections
Factual errors in sponsored content should be corrected. A commercial partner must not prevent NGB from correcting inaccurate information.
Material changes to commercial claims should be reflected where practical.
A correction does not remove the need to retain the original commercial label.
Archiving and Expiry
Sponsored content may remain in the archive after a campaign ends, but its commercial label should remain visible.
Time-limited prices, offers and availability may require updates, expiry notices or removal when they are no longer accurate.
Archived sponsored material should not be presented later as if it had become independent editorial coverage.
Contact
Commercial and advertising inquiries:
Submitting a sponsored-content proposal does not guarantee acceptance, publication or editorial coverage.
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