Editorial Policy & Review Methodology

Editorial Policy & Review Methodology

At Stocks News, every article we publish — from breaking market news to detailed trading platform reviews — follows a clear, public editorial framework. This page documents the standards we apply, so readers can understand exactly how our content is produced.

1. Editorial Independence

Stocks News is editorially independent. No advertiser, affiliate partner, or external party has the right to approve, reject, or modify our editorial conclusions. Our writers and analysts are free to publish negative reviews of platforms that compensate us through affiliate programs, and they regularly do so when the evidence warrants it.

2. Sources & Verification

We rely on primary sources whenever possible. For broker and platform reviews, this includes:

  • Official regulator registries (FCA Register, CySEC, ASIC Connect, BaFin, FINRA BrokerCheck, SEC EDGAR)
  • Company filings, terms of service, and published fee schedules
  • Hands-on testing of registration flows, deposit and withdrawal processes, and platform interfaces
  • Verified user feedback from established review platforms and regulatory complaint records

Secondary sources — including news reports and analyst commentary — are only used when corroborated by at least one primary source.

3. Review Methodology

Each trading platform review on Stocks News is structured around five evaluation pillars:

Regulation & Trust (25% of score)

We verify the platform’s licensing status, the strength of its regulators, segregation of client funds, and any history of enforcement actions or public warnings. Unregulated or offshore-only platforms are flagged prominently.

Security & Custody (20% of score)

We assess account security features (two-factor authentication, withdrawal whitelisting), data protection practices, and how client funds are held — including any insurance or compensation scheme coverage.

Costs & Trading Conditions (20% of score)

We benchmark spreads, commissions, overnight financing rates, deposit and withdrawal fees, inactivity fees, and minimum deposits against the industry average for each instrument class.

Platform & User Experience (20% of score)

Where possible, we open real or demo accounts to evaluate the registration flow, KYC requirements, web and mobile platform usability, charting tools, order types, and customer support quality.

Reputation & Transparency (15% of score)

We aggregate user feedback across multiple sources, examine corporate transparency (ownership, leadership, registered addresses), and look for warning signs such as fake testimonials, missing regulatory information, or aggressive marketing tactics.

4. Conflicts of Interest

Stocks News may earn commission when readers sign up with a broker through links on our site. This is the standard affiliate model used across financial publishing. Our editorial team is firewalled from commercial discussions — affiliate rates are negotiated separately and have no influence on review ratings or written conclusions. Where a piece is sponsored, it will be labelled clearly.

5. Accuracy & Corrections

We strive for accuracy in every article. If a factual error is identified, we update the article and append a correction note with the date of the revision. Significant corrections to ratings or conclusions are also flagged in the article body. Readers can report suspected errors via our Contact page.

6. Updates & Republishing

Trading platform reviews are reviewed at least annually and updated whenever a material change occurs — for example, a change of regulator, ownership, fee structure, or significant security incident. The “last updated” date on each review reflects the most recent substantive revision.

7. Affiliate & Risk Disclosure

Stocks News may receive compensation when readers open accounts with brokers through our links. Trading carries significant risk and is not suitable for everyone — a meaningful percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and leveraged products. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Nothing on this website constitutes personalised investment advice.

8. Reader Feedback

We welcome reader feedback. If you have first-hand experience with a platform we cover, or you believe we have missed something important, please reach out via our Contact page. Verified reader insights are an important part of how we keep reviews current.