Part of The Guru Digital Ecosystem
Sources should let a reader understand where a claim came from, how current it is and whether it applies to the question at hand.
Preferred source order
Use primary documentation, official agencies, original research, standards bodies and direct product documentation when they can answer the question. Reputable secondary analysis may add context.
Relevance over volume
A long source list does not compensate for a weak match. Each source should support the nearby claim, date, jurisdiction or method for which it is cited.
Changing information
Benefits, prices, product features, regulations and service availability can change. Time-sensitive pages should identify the applicable period and point readers to the current authority.
Unavailable or conflicting sources
If reliable sources conflict or evidence is incomplete, the uncertainty should be described. A conclusion should not be made more confident merely to create a stronger headline.
Link integrity
Broken, redirected or materially changed sources should be repaired or replaced when discovered without silently changing the substance of the cited claim.
Last reviewed: 25 July 2026