Hauptreport accepts sponsored content as a source of revenue, but we maintain strict editorial independence. Every piece of sponsored content is clearly labelled to distinguish it from our independent journalism, and commercial partners never have any influence over our news coverage or editorial conclusions.
How do we label sponsored content?
All sponsored content on Hauptreport is marked with the label “Sponsored” at the top of the page, typically displayed in a contrasting colour or banner. A short disclaimer below the headline states that the content is paid for by a specific partner and that Hauptreport is responsible for ensuring it meets our editorial standards.
The label appears again at the end of the piece, and any page that contains sponsored content is clearly separated from our regular news sections. Readers will never be expected to guess whether an article is independent or commercial – the distinction is always visible.
What rules apply to sponsored content?
Sponsored content must comply with our general editorial guidelines for accuracy, fairness and transparency, but the partner has no control over Hauptreport’s independent news coverage. Content is normally produced either by the partner itself or by Hauptreport in collaboration with the partner, and our editorial team reviews every piece before publication.
Our fact‑checking process, led by Melanie Winter, applies to factual claims made in sponsored content. We do not allow false or misleading statements, and any sponsored material is required to reflect its commercial nature honestly. Commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions – our editorial policy makes that firewall explicit.
How is sponsored content different from affiliate links?
Affiliate links are used within our independent articles when we recommend products or services, and we earn a commission on purchases made through those links. Sponsored content is a separate arrangement where a partner pays for a dedicated piece of content that is clearly identified as paid.
Affiliate links are disclosed with a short note near the link or at the bottom of the article, but they do not alter the editorial independence of the content. For full details, see our advertising and affiliate disclosure.
What you can expect from us
You can expect that our editorial independence is never compromised by commercial relationships. Our journalists and editors – including editor‑in‑chief Michael Schulte and managing editor Jessica Wolff – make all decisions about news coverage without input from sponsors.
We do not allow sponsors to influence the selection of stories, the framing of reports, or the placement of articles. Our fact‑checking and editorial review processes apply to all content, but sponsored pieces remain separate from our independent reporting. If you see the “Sponsored” label, you know that the content is paid for – and that our newsroom has not traded its independence for revenue.
Who oversees sponsored content at Hauptreport?
Our editor‑in‑chief Michael Schulte and fact‑checking lead Melanie Winter are responsible for ensuring that all sponsored content complies with this policy. The commercial team manages partnerships and coordinates with the editorial team, but it cannot override editorial decisions.
Any enquiries about sponsored content should be directed to sponsored@hauptreport.de. Enquiries about general advertising or partnerships can also be sent to that address. For other contact options, see our contact page.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions about our sponsored content policy, believe that a piece has been incorrectly labelled, or wish to report a potential violation, please contact our editorial team or use our complaints procedure. You can also write to sponsored@hauptreport.de and a member of our team will respond promptly.
We treat concerns about transparency seriously and will review every report thoroughly. Our commitment is to maintain the trust of our readers by being clear about what is independent journalism and what is paid content.