Content Guidelines

📖 Purpose & Scope

These guidelines apply to all original articles, tutorials, opinion pieces, and case studies published on InkWell. Our mission is to curate high-quality, insightful content that educates, inspires, and sparks meaningful conversation.

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Note: Guidelines are updated quarterly. Last revised: December 2024. Always refer to this page before submitting.

Whether you're a guest contributor, staff writer, or community member, adhering to these standards ensures a consistent, premium reading experience.

🎯 Core Principles

Originality: All content must be 100% original. Republished or AI-generated content without substantial human editing is not permitted.
Accuracy: Claims, statistics, and technical details must be verified and cited where applicable.
Depth Over Breadth: Focus on providing actionable insights, not just surface-level summaries.
Constructive Tone: Maintain a professional, respectful, and inclusive voice. Avoid sensationalism or clickbait.
Reader Value: Every article should answer: "What will the reader gain from this?" If the answer isn't clear, revise.

📝 Formatting & Structure

Headings & Hierarchy

Use H1 only for the article title.
Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections.
Never skip heading levels (e.g., don't jump from H2 to H4).

Paragraphs & Readability

Keep paragraphs concise (3–5 sentences). Use bullet points, numbered lists, or tables to break up dense information. Aim for a Flesch Reading Ease score of 60+.

Images & Media

Element	Requirements	Format
Featured Image	1200×630px, relevant, high-contrast	JPG/PNG/WebP
In-article Images	Max 800px wide, optimized <150KB	JPG/PNG/WebP
Captions	Required for all images. Include alt text.	Plain text, sentence case

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Important: All images must be royalty-free, CC-licensed, or original. Include source attribution in the image caption.

🔍 SEO & Metadata

Proper metadata helps readers discover your work. Fill in all required fields in the submission form.

Field	Guideline	Status
Article Title	Clear, specific, under 60 characters	Required
Meta Description	Compelling summary, 150–160 characters	Required
Primary Category	Choose one main topic area	Required
Tags	3–5 relevant keywords, lowercase, no plurals	Required
Canonical URL	Leave blank unless syndicated	Optional

Avoid keyword stuffing. Write naturally for humans first, search engines second.

🤝 Community & Moderation

What's Allowed

Personal anecdotes that illustrate broader points
Constructive criticism of industry trends
Open-source project spotlights (with permission)
Guest expert interviews

What's Prohibited

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Zero-tolerance violations:
• Plagiarism or uncredited AI generation
• Spam, affiliate promotions, or hidden advertising
• Hate speech, discrimination, or personal attacks
• Misinformation, conspiracy theories, or unverified health claims
• Soliciting donations, crypto schemes, or financial advice

Moderators review all comments and submissions. Repeated violations result in temporary or permanent suspension.

🔄 Review & Publishing Process

Draft Submission: Upload your article via the writer dashboard. Ensure all guidelines are met.
Editorial Review: Our team reviews for accuracy, formatting, and tone within 48 hours.
Revision Requests: If edits are needed, you'll receive a tracked PDF with specific feedback. You have 5 days to revise.
Approval & Scheduling: Approved articles enter the editorial calendar. You may suggest a publish date.
Post-Publish: Engage with readers in the comments. Analytics and engagement metrics are shared monthly.

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Pro Tip: Articles that include actionable takeaways, original research, or step-by-step tutorials are prioritized for featured placement.

💬 Need Help?

Unsure if your article meets these standards? Have questions about formatting, citations, or the review process?

📧 Email our editorial team: editorial@inkwell.io
💬 Join our #writers-help Discord channel
📚 Read the InkWell Style Guide for detailed examples

We're here to help you create your best work. Thank you for contributing to the InkWell community.