Skip to Content

Editorial Policy

At NicknamesGarden, we publish practical, people-first nickname guides grounded in real usage, credible research, and clear writing.

This Editorial Policy explains how we apply Google’s E-E-A-T principles on every page—covering author qualifications, sourcing, review workflows, updates, corrections, and transparency—so readers can trust what they read, today and in the future.

Our Mission

NicknamesGarden helps readers choose, use, and understand nicknames with clarity, context, and care. We prioritize usefulness, accuracy, inclusivity, and respect for the cultures and communities where names live.

How We Apply E-E-A-T

Experience

We emphasize real-world usage and nuance. Articles include examples in sentences, context notes (formal vs. casual, affectionate vs. teasing), pronunciation guidance, and culture-aware usage tips. Where relevant, we reference first-hand observations from language communities, style guides, and corpus/usage data.

Expertise

Content is written or reviewed by editors with demonstrated competence in onomastics, linguistics, copyediting, or adjacent fields (language teaching, cultural studies, journalism). Every article carries a byline, an author bio with relevant background, and a reviewer credit when specialist review is performed.

Authoritativeness

We cite reputable sources, prefer primary references when available, and maintain consistent editorial standards. Our authority grows from transparent sourcing, a rigorous review process, and a clean corrections history that readers can inspect.

Trust

Trust is earned through accuracy, plain-language disclosures, clear boundaries around monetization, visible update timestamps, and respectful handling of feedback and sensitive content.

Editorial Scope & Content Types

  • Deep-dive nickname lists for given names, surnames, places, teams, and fandoms
  • Origins and meanings, including etymology and language-of-origin notes
  • Popularity and regional variation disclaimers when usage differs by country or community
  • Style and etiquette guidance for when a nickname may be inappropriate or sensitive
  • Related alternatives, short forms, pet names, and playful variants

Audience & Tone

We write for global readers seeking practical guidance. Tone is warm, clear, and respectful—never flippant about identity, culture, or lived experience. We avoid stereotyping, labeling, or implying value judgments about names or people.

Byline, Bio, and Review Standards

  • Every article displays an author byline and short bio summarizing relevant expertise and focus areas.
  • When applicable, a content reviewer (e.g., linguistics/onomastics editor or cultural consultant) is credited.
  • We disclose when a piece has been updated, who updated it, and what changed in a concise changelog at the end of the article.

Sourcing & Citations

Preferred Source Categories

  • Name and etymology references and dictionaries
  • Major dictionaries and style manuals for usage and pronunciation
  • Government or reputable datasets for popularity and frequency (e.g., national statistics offices)
  • Scholarly articles, language academies, or recognized linguistic institutions
  • Publisher-vetted reference works and credible news outlets for pop-culture usage

Caution & Cross-Verification

  • Community wikis, forums, and slang dictionaries can inform real-world usage but are always cross-checked against at least one higher-reliability source.
  • Social platforms and anecdotal posts are treated as leads, not proof.
  • Avoid circular citations; confirm claims independently.

Citation Presentation

  • Cite sources in-text or at the end of the article with clear publisher/title/date details.
  • Quote sparingly; summarize in original language.
  • Attribute all non-original media and data.

Fact-Checking & Verification Workflow

  • Claims about origin, meaning, or first-known use are verified against at least two reputable references when possible.
  • Pronunciations are checked against dictionaries or credible pronunciation resources and annotated with IPA only when we are confident in accuracy.
  • Pop-culture references are validated by primary sources (official credits, reputable databases) rather than fan speculation.
  • Sensitive or culture-specific guidance is reviewed by a knowledgeable editor or advisor.

Use of AI Tools

We may use AI to brainstorm outlines, gather non-confidential checklists, or suggest variations. Final drafts are human-written, edited, and fact-checked. We do not publish AI-generated text without substantive human revision. We never paste sensitive or proprietary materials into tools that would expose private data.

Style & Writing Standards

  • People-first, clear, and concise writing
  • Practical guidance above trivia; explain when a nickname fits or doesn’t
  • Consistent spelling and diacritics; respect native forms where appropriate
  • Avoid labels that can stigmatize; flag teasing or historically pejorative uses and advise against them
  • Provide example sentences and usage notes to ground recommendations
  • For large lists, group entries by theme or tone; add quick-scan summaries

Inclusivity, Sensitivity & Harm Prevention

  • Do not publish slurs or demeaning nicknames.
  • Mark potentially sensitive history or reclaimed terms with context and warnings.
  • Treat names tied to religion, ethnicity, nationality, disability, gender, or sexuality with care and seek informed review when needed.
  • Remove or revise reader-submitted suggestions that violate these standards.

Originality & Plagiarism

  • We do not copy text from sources.
  • We credit quoted material and keep quotes brief.
  • We generate our own examples and explanations.
  • All pieces pass plagiarism checks during editing.

Images & Media

  • Use original or properly licensed images with clear attribution.
  • Alt text is mandatory for accessibility.
  • Avoid imagery that caricatures cultures, religions, or communities.
  • AI-generated images, if used, are labeled and reviewed for bias or inaccuracy.

SEO, Structured Data & On-Page Trust Elements

Each article includes:

  • A descriptive H1 and scannable H2/H3 sections
  • A 50-word introduction and a 140-character meta description
  • Author byline, bio, and reviewer credit (when applicable)
  • “Last updated” date and a brief changelog when major revisions occur
  • Internal links to related guides; external links only to credible, stable sources
  • FAQ content where helpful; structured data (Article/FAQ) implemented to reflect real page content
  • Clear disclaimers when usage varies by region, culture, or context

Linking Policy

Internal

  • Link to related names, variants, and pronunciation/etymology primers to deepen understanding.
  • Avoid orphan pages; every new article links to and from at least two relevant pages.

External

  • Link sparingly to authoritative, stable sources that add value.
  • No paid links or link exchanges.
  • All affiliate links are disclosed clearly on-page.

Monetization & Independence

NicknamesGarden may earn revenue from display ads and affiliate partnerships. Monetization never dictates our recommendations or coverage. We do not accept payment for favorable placement. Any sponsored content is labeled clearly and follows the same accuracy and transparency standards.

Updates, Maintenance & Retirements

  • Evergreen nickname lists are reviewed at least annually for accuracy and freshness.
  • Popular or time-sensitive pages are spot-checked quarterly.
  • Minor corrections are made promptly; substantive changes receive an update note.
  • Content may be merged or retired if it no longer meets our usefulness or accuracy bar.

Corrections & Reader Feedback

We welcome corrections and suggestions. If you spot an error or have cultural context we missed, contact us through our site’s contact page. We review submissions within a reasonable timeframe and update pages with a short note describing what changed and why.

Data & Privacy

We collect only data necessary to operate the site and improve content. We respect user privacy and comply with applicable regulations. Feedback or submissions are reviewed internally and not shared publicly without consent.

Accessibility Commitments

  • Alt text for images
  • Sufficient color contrast and readable typography
  • Clear headings, lists, and tables for screen readers
  • Avoid jargon; define terms on first use
  • Captions or transcripts for multimedia when present

Governance & Roles

  • Writers draft people-first guides with accurate sourcing and examples.
  • Editors ensure clarity, house style, inclusivity, and adherence to this policy.
  • Fact-checkers/reviewers validate claims, pronunciations, and cultural notes.
  • Publishers confirm final checks, structured data, and compliance.
    Roles may overlap on small teams; checklists still apply.

Publication Checklists

Writer’s Pre-Submit Checklist

  • Clear scope and audience defined
  • Origin/meaning verified with at least two reputable sources when possible
  • Usage notes, example sentences, and pronunciation guidance included where helpful
  • Sensitive or potentially offensive entries flagged or omitted
  • Internal links added; external citations listed
  • Draft matches house style and inclusivity standards

Editor’s Review Checklist

  • Claims independently verified; weak sources replaced or qualified
  • Tone helpful, respectful, and free of stereotypes
  • Headings scannable; lists grouped logically
  • Meta title/description and 50-word intro added
  • Byline/bio present; reviewer credit added if applicable
  • Alt text present; structured data ready

Publisher’s Final Checklist

  • “Last updated” date and brief changelog included when relevant
  • Page renders correctly on mobile and desktop
  • Internal linking map checked (no orphans)
  • Ads and affiliate disclosures visible and unobtrusive
  • Accessibility spot-check passed

E-E-A-T Signals We Strive to Show (at a glance)

  • Experience: real-world usage notes, examples, pronunciation tips, regional context
  • Expertise: qualified authors/editors, reviewer credits, accurate terminology
  • Authoritativeness: reputable citations, consistent standards, transparent updates
  • Trust: corrections log, disclosures, privacy and accessibility practices

Versioning

  • Policy owner: Ellie, Editor & Founder of NicknamesGarden
  • Effective date: August 31, 2025
  • This page shows the current policy; earlier versions are available upon request.

If you have questions about this policy or believe we’ve missed important context on a name or nickname, please reach out via our contact page. Your feedback helps us improve accuracy, inclusivity, and usefulness for everyone.