Evidence before affiliate: how Starlight reviews technology

Four evidence states

Owned and tested means repeated use. Hands-on means direct but limited testing. Source-backed means cited evidence. Inferred means disclosed reasoning without hands-on proof.

Commercial separation

An affiliate relationship does not set the verdict. At launch no affiliate links are active. Future links will be labelled, direct where required and separate from evidence claims.

Why the standard exists

Google asks reviews to demonstrate expertise, evidence, measurements, comparison, benefits, drawbacks and decision factors. Its spam policy distinguishes value-adding affiliate work from replicated merchant content.

• No copied merchant descriptions as analysis
• No fake hands-on voice
• No price without source and time
• No best verdict without a named user