Editorial Standards

Last updated: May 2026 · Author: Marcus K., Editor-in-Chief

This page describes the standards that apply to every article published on Pogodex. They are written down so they can be checked, criticized, and held to. The closest international reference is the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, adapted to a fan-publication context.

1. Editorial independence

The primary commitment is independence: no commercial relationship influences which Pokémon we recommend, which raids we feature, or which events we cover. Specifically:

We are not affiliated with Niantic, Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures Inc., or The Pokémon Company. Pogodex is an unofficial fan publication. The full statement is on Trademark Notice.
Affiliate relationships, when present, are limited to gaming-related products tangential to Pokémon GO (gaming accessories, third-party power banks for raid hours, etc.) and are disclosed per our Affiliate Disclosure.
Display advertising (currently Google AdSense; see our Privacy Policy) is served by automated networks and does not influence editorial decisions.
Brand outreach from Pokémon GO event organizers, ticketed-event hosts, and third-party Pokémon merchandise sellers is welcome but does not entitle the brand to favorable coverage. The framework is on our Work with Us page.

2. Source verification

Every factual claim about Pokémon GO mechanics, stats, or schedule is verified before publication:

Numerical data (base stats, move stats, IVs, CP formulas) is verified against the PokeMiners game master archive, cross-referenced with Aria’s internal database.
Event details (Community Day, Spotlight Hour, raid hour, GO Fest, special research) are verified against Pokémon GO’s official news and the Niantic support center.
Game mechanics changes are verified by direct in-game testing in addition to dataminers’ notes.
Reader-submitted information is verified before being incorporated into articles.

Where data is uncertain (newly released moves with unconfirmed mechanics, datamined-but-not-released features), we mark it as such rather than guessing. The full sourcing framework is on Sources & Citations.

3. Editorial wall

The editorial wall is the boundary between commercial relationships and editorial decisions:

Affiliate availability does not change which Pokémon we recommend.
Sponsorship of an article does not give the sponsor approval rights over editorial framing or factual statements.
Reader-facing recommendations are made on the merits of the in-game performance.
Where commercial relationships exist for products or services discussed in articles, those relationships are disclosed at the top of the article.

Concretely, this means we have published “not worth the stardust” verdicts on Pokémon being heavily promoted by community channels and Niantic’s own marketing. We will continue to do so when our testing supports the conclusion. Marketing pressure is not a reason to change a verdict.

4. Conflict of interest

Where an editor has a personal or financial interest in a topic that could affect their objectivity, the conflict is disclosed at the top of the article or the article is reassigned. Specifically:

If a contributor is a paid employee or contractor of a brand discussed in an article, that fact is disclosed.
If an editor competes in tournaments organized by an entity discussed in an article (such as a regional Silph Arena tournament), that fact is disclosed.
If an editor has a personal relationship with someone whose work is being reviewed (a tournament organizer, a community influencer), the article is reassigned.
If an editor holds significant Pokémon-themed assets — cryptocurrency-tied “play to earn” Pokémon-style products, etc. — that exposure is disclosed.

5. Accuracy and corrections

When errors are identified, we correct them transparently. Substantive errors are flagged with a “Correction:” note dated when the correction was made. The full procedure, including how to report errors, is on Corrections Policy.

We do not silently update articles to fix substantive errors. We do silently update minor production issues (typos, formatting, broken links). The line between “substantive” and “minor” is editorial judgment but it is exercised with reader trust as the primary consideration.

6. Anonymous and pseudonymous sources

Pokémon GO has a community culture in which dataminers, leakers, and competitive PvP players sometimes operate under pseudonyms or anonymously. We accept information from such sources subject to the following:

The information is verifiable independently before publication, where possible.
The source’s track record is considered. Repeat sources who have been correct in the past are weighted more heavily than new sources.
The pseudonym (where used) is named consistently across articles so readers can build their own assessment over time.
Where a source is sharing information that could violate Niantic’s Terms of Service or non-disclosure obligations, we evaluate carefully whether to publish.

7. Coverage of competing publications and creators

The Pokémon GO content space is competitive. Pogodex coexists with several large fan publications and many individual creators. We strive for fair coverage:

We link to competing publications where their work is the best source for a particular topic.
We do not write disparaging coverage of competitors as a marketing strategy.
We do not represent ourselves as the only or “best” source on any topic; we are one source among many.
We do not steal others’ work. Where their analysis is referenced, it is cited and linked.

8. Photography and imagery

Where Pogodex publishes images:

Pokémon promotional artwork from Niantic’s press kit is used under the standard fan-site permissions; we do not claim copyright in the artwork.
Original illustrations created in-house carry our copyright.
Screenshots from the game are used for editorial illustration under fair use, with the rights holders acknowledged.
We do not use AI-generated Pokémon imagery.
Where a third party has provided imagery for a sponsored article, the source is credited.

9. Author bylines and accountability

Every article on Pogodex carries the byline of its writer. Where multiple team members contributed, the byline lists the primary writer with co-author or reviewer credit as appropriate. The author of an article is the person accountable for it; if you have a question about the article, the author is the person who answers.

Anonymous editorial writing is not standard practice on this site. Where a guest contributor wants to publish under a pseudonym, we permit it on a case-by-case basis (typically only where there is a defensible reason, such as the contributor being a Niantic employee writing in personal capacity about another publication).

10. Reader feedback and complaints

Reader feedback is welcome through info [at] pogodex [punto] space. Substantive complaints (factual errors, conflict-of-interest concerns, editorial bias claims) are taken seriously and answered. Generic abuse is ignored. We retain the right to publish reader letters or replies where they advance public understanding of an issue, with the writer’s permission unless the writer’s identity is itself relevant.

If a reader complaint reveals a pattern of error or a systemic issue, the response includes documented changes to our process, not just a single-article correction.