Principle
8 - Advertising policy
All websites displaying paying banners have to have an
advertising policy. This policy must explain how the site distinguishes between editorial and advertising content and which
advertisements are accepted. Any conflict of interest has to be explained.
Any non-paying banner or ‘friendly’ link
should also be distinguished from editorial content by a label such as “banner”
or “friendly banner”. A policy should also be provided to explain to readers
that these banners are not advertisements but have been provided for further
reference or other purposes.
If the site does not display
advertisements, a clear statement has to indicate that the site does not host
or receive funding from advertising or from the display of commercial content.
All advertisements and any promotional, commercial or
information in the form of articles, or display advertisements (banners or logos),
have to be clearly indicated and easily identifiable as such, and distinguished
from the editorial content. All advertising (including, but not limited to,
pop-up windows and banners) have to be identified with the word
"Advertising" or similar identifying clearly the sponsor.
If banners are served from a free web hosting service or 'banner
exchange', the webmaster must clearly state that the advertising banners are
from the free Web host and are not endorsed by the site editor.
Note:
Advertising is hosted at the responsibility of the editor. Sites that display
advertisements for pornographic web sites (even if not under their direct
control, such as with 'banner exchange' services) will be removed from the
HONcode certification process and all HON databases.
Collaborative Websites:
An advertising and editorial policy about platform user’s posts
must be provided.
It must be clearly stated if advertisement
(links, banners, content, etc.) is permitted or not on the platform.
Apply
for HONcode accreditation