Editorial & Verification Policy
How we research
We research credit cards, credit scores, loans, and access to capital using a combination of AI-sourced research and independent human verification. We prefer primary and authoritative sources, including issuer pages, the CFPB, FTC, FICO, credit bureaus, the SBA, and other government agencies.
How AI is used as a research input
In our AI Showdowns, we ask multiple AI systems the same question and compare their recommendations. AI responses are research inputs, not automatically published recommendations. We independently check the results before publishing anything.
How we verify changing financial-product terms
Credit card terms change. APR ranges, annual fees, welcome offers, and eligibility requirements can shift without notice. We verify current terms against issuer pages and other authoritative sources before publishing, and we show verification dates where applicable. If terms change after publication, we update the content and note the change.
Source preferences
We prefer primary sources over secondary comparison sites or affiliate publishers. When a claim depends on a specific source, we link to that source so readers can verify it themselves. We do not build articles mainly by paraphrasing other comparison sites.
Correction and update practices
When we find an error, we correct it and update the article. We only change published or updated dates when content has been substantively reviewed or changed. We do not change dates to create artificial freshness. Visible dates and structured-data dates remain consistent.
AI results vs. CCG editorial conclusions
AI Showdown results show what the AI systems collectively ranked. Credit Capital Guide's editorial picks are a separate judgment made after reviewing the AI results and verifying current terms. The AI Verdict and CCG Picks are always presented as distinct conclusions.
Separation of affiliate compensation from rankings
Affiliate compensation never affects our editorial rankings or picks. Monetization links and partner placements are separate from editorial content. We disclose affiliate relationships clearly. See our affiliate disclosure for details.