🔍 SearchEng.in Contributor & Expert Policy

Purpose

This policy governs the standards and expectations for Contributors and Experts who participate in building and curating content on SearchEng.in. Our goal is to create a search experience powered by human insight, AI, and trust—but verified by the community.

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1. Transparency & Disclosure

• Identity Verification: Contributors and Experts must verify their identity before participating at a high-trust level.

• Disclosure of Affiliations: All contributors must disclose any affiliations, sponsorships, or business interests related to the content or topics they curate or influence.

• Sponsored Content: Any form of sponsored content or influence must be explicitly labeled and approved through SearchEng.in editorial review.

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2. No Conflicts of Interest

• Content Neutrality: Contributors must refrain from curating, boosting, or demoting results for entities they have a financial or personal stake in without prior disclosure and editorial review.

• Fair Representation: All viewpoints must be presented fairly. No contributor shall use their influence to push an agenda without appropriate labeling and consensus review.

• Recusal Policy: Contributors must recuse themselves from ranking or curating topics where personal, professional, or financial interests may impair their objectivity.

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3. Contributor Expectations

• Quality First: All content and rankings should be evidence-backed, user-serving, and free from promotional bias.

• Fact-Checking: Experts are expected to cite sources and assist in validating facts through credible third-party evidence.

• Collaborative Reviews: High-impact changes or curated topic pages must go through peer-review or editorial group feedback before publishing.

• AI + Human Synergy: Contributors agree to guide AI where appropriate, correct it when necessary, and train the system ethically.

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4. Ethics & Community Standards

• Respectful Interaction: Contributors must maintain professionalism, even in disagreement. No harassment, bullying, or discriminatory behavior will be tolerated.

• Intellectual Honesty: Plagiarism, misinformation, or manipulative practices (including astroturfing or sockpuppeting) will result in removal.

• Appeals & Reporting: Disputes or accusations will be reviewed by a neutral governance committee. Contributors can appeal removals or flag violations.

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5. Contributor Tiers & Privileges

• Verified Expert: Subject-matter contributors with documented expertise. May lead curation on select topics.

• Community Contributor: Users who add value and grow through merit-based participation.

• Reviewer Role: Contributors with consistent performance may be invited to assist in content quality assurance.

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6. Removal & Enforcement

• Violations of this policy may result in temporary suspension or permanent removal depending on severity.

• We reserve the right to audit contributor history if ethical concerns arise.

• All removals will include written explanation and an opportunity for the contributor to respond.

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Final Note

SearchEng.in is a collaborative revolution—rooted in trust, verified by people, and enhanced by AI. This policy ensures we stay authentic, transparent, and free from the hidden hands that distort truth online.