Last updated: August 16, 2026
This Advertising, Sponsorship and Affiliate Policy explains how Ridgecrest Online at https://ridgecrestonline.com, part of the Times Media Service network, distinguishes commercial material from independent editorial content.
Purpose and scope
This policy applies to display and programmatic advertising, sponsored or branded content, paid partnerships, affiliate links, complimentary products or travel, review samples, and other material commercial support connected to content on this publication.
Data collection and advertising-cookie practices are described separately in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
Editorial and commercial separation
Advertising and commercial relationships may fund the publication, but they must not determine the conclusion of independent editorial coverage. Advertisers, sponsors, and affiliate partners may not purchase favorable news coverage or suppress a legitimate correction.
Commercial staff may coordinate advertising and sponsored projects. Independent newsroom assignments, reporting, and conclusions remain subject to our Editorial Standards and Ethics Policy.
If a commercial relationship creates a material conflict involving particular coverage, the relationship should be disclosed and an editor may assign another contributor or require additional review.
Display and programmatic advertising
Advertising should be visually distinguishable from editorial material. We use labels such as Advertisement or other clear presentation so a reasonable reader can recognize paid placement.
Advertising should not imitate site navigation, system alerts, download controls, or ordinary article content in a misleading way. We structure editorial pages so that advertising and paid promotional material do not obscure or exceed the editorial content readers came to view.
The appearance of an advertisement does not constitute an editorial endorsement of the advertiser, product, service, or claim.
Sponsored and branded content
Content created or distributed in exchange for payment or material support should carry a prominent label such as Sponsored, Paid Content, Advertisement, or another term that clearly communicates the commercial relationship before or near the beginning of the material.
Sponsored content should identify the sponsor and, where relevant, the sponsor’s role in funding, producing, supplying, or reviewing it. A normal newsroom byline should not be used in a way that falsely implies the material was produced as independent reporting.
Sponsored material remains subject to reasonable accuracy, legality, rights, disclosure, and correction standards. A sponsor may verify factual statements about itself or confirm compliance with an agreed commercial brief, but its involvement must not be concealed from readers.
Affiliate links and commerce content
Some articles may contain links through which the publication can earn a commission or other benefit if a reader makes a purchase or completes another action. A clear affiliate disclosure should appear near the beginning of the article or before readers encounter the relevant links.
The disclosure should explain that the publication may receive compensation and whether the reader’s price is affected. Affiliate revenue must not purchase a favorable review, rating, or ranking. Paid and affiliate links should use the technical link attributes appropriate to the relationship.
Reviews, samples, travel, and access
When a company provides a free product, service, discount, travel, accommodation, event access, or another material benefit connected to coverage, the relationship should be disclosed if a reasonable reader would consider it relevant.
Receiving access or a review sample does not guarantee coverage or a favorable conclusion. The publication should accurately explain its handling of samples when that information materially affects the review.
Prohibited commercial arrangements
We do not knowingly permit:
- Sponsored or paid material presented as independent news without an appropriate disclosure.
- Payment for a favorable newsroom conclusion, rating, or undisclosed placement.
- A sponsor or advertiser to remove a legitimate correction as a condition of payment.
- False newsroom bylines or fabricated author identities used to disguise advertising.
- Paid links or ranking arrangements designed to mislead readers or manipulate search systems.
- Material gifts, travel, or support to be concealed when disclosure is necessary to understand the coverage.
Political and advocacy advertising
Political, election-related, or issue advocacy advertising should be identifiable as paid material and should disclose the sponsor as required by applicable rules and the advertising platform. Acceptance of an advertisement does not mean the newsroom endorses its claims or position.
Independent reporting about an advertiser, sponsor, political organization, or advocacy group remains subject to our ordinary editorial standards.
Corrections and complaints
Factual errors in sponsored or affiliate-supported material may be corrected under our Corrections, Updates and Retractions Policy. Commercial support does not exempt content from correction.
Editorial concerns may be sent to newsmaster@timesmediaservice.com. Advertising, sponsorship, and business inquiries may be sent to contact@timesmediaservice.com.
Please include the relevant page URL and a description of the concern or proposed commercial relationship.
Policy review
Times Media Service may update this policy as its publishing and revenue practices change. The date shown above identifies the latest published version.