How We Make Money

Transparency in Funding Quality Journalism

Our Commitment to Transparency

At The Story Ledger, we believe in complete transparency about how we fund our journalism. This page explains our business model, revenue sources, and how we ensure editorial independence regardless of our monetization strategies.

Quality journalism requires sustainable funding. We've built a business model that supports our editorial mission while maintaining the trust our readers place in us.

Revenue Sources

Display Advertising

We generate revenue from display advertisements that appear on our website. These ads are clearly labeled and distinguished from editorial content. Advertisers have no influence over our editorial decisions or content.

Sponsored Content

We occasionally publish sponsored content created in partnership with brands. This content is always clearly labeled as "Sponsored" or "Partner Content" and meets our editorial standards for quality and relevance. Sponsors do not have editorial control over this content.

Affiliate Links

Some articles may contain affiliate links to products or services. When readers purchase through these links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial recommendations.

Newsletter Sponsorships

Our newsletters may include sponsored messages from select partners. These sponsorships are clearly identified and separate from our editorial newsletter content.

Editorial Independence

The Story Ledger maintains strict separation between business operations and editorial content. Our editorial team makes content decisions based solely on what serves our readers' interests.

  • Advertisers cannot review or approve editorial content
  • Business relationships do not influence story selection or coverage
  • Editorial staff have no financial stake in companies we cover
  • We decline advertising that conflicts with our editorial values

Advertising Standards

We maintain high standards for the advertising we accept:

Prohibited Advertising

  • Misleading or deceptive claims
  • Products or services that harm public health
  • Discriminatory or offensive content
  • Illegal products or services
  • Content that violates intellectual property rights

Ad Quality Standards

  • Ads must be clearly distinguishable from editorial content
  • Ads must not interfere with site functionality or user experience
  • Advertisers must comply with applicable laws and regulations
  • We reserve the right to reject any advertising

Reader Support

Our readers are at the center of our business model. We prioritize user experience and editorial quality over maximizing ad revenue. We believe that by creating valuable content and maintaining trust, we build a sustainable publication.

Compliance

The Story Ledger complies with all applicable advertising regulations and follows industry best practices, including:

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on advertising disclosure
  • General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) standards
  • Industry codes of conduct for digital publishing

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about our revenue model or concerns about advertising on our site:

Email: contact@thestoryledger.site

Phone: 212-938-9237