1. What independence means here
Companies commission and pay for expert work through NamedProof. These are commissioned professional assessments, not ordinary unpaid consumer reviews. Independence means that the expert controls their method within the agreed scope and their own honest conclusion; it does not mean the assessment had no sponsor.
Neither NamedProof nor a company may sell a required verdict. A company can choose not to publish a completed assessment under its agreed terms. That selection means the public library is a sponsor-selected subset and must not be presented as all work completed.
2. Relationships that need disclosure
Tell NamedProof before accepting if any relationship could reasonably affect, or appear to affect, your judgment. Examples include:
- Current or recent employment, consulting, ownership, investments or financial dependence involving the sponsor or a relevant competitor.
- Family, close personal relationships, litigation, significant disputes or a direct stake in the outcome.
- Gifts, free products, affiliate commissions, referral fees or additional compensation connected with the assessment.
- Prior work that limits your ability to investigate or report independently, or confidentiality duties that prevent necessary disclosure.
3. Managing a conflict
A declaration is not a guarantee that every relationship has been independently checked. NamedProof reviews the disclosed facts and may request clarification, limit scope or select another expert. A conflict that cannot be adequately managed requires declining or ending the assignment.
Do not accept undisclosed side payments or gifts. Report any pressure to change the conclusion. The company may supply evidence and correct facts, but cannot approve the expert's opinion in advance.
4. Clear public disclosure
An approved public assessment must identify the company that commissioned it, the paid relationship, the author, relevant conflicts, scope and limitations. Put the funding disclosure near the assessment, not only in a footer or a separate policy page.
Social posts and excerpts must retain a clear disclosure of the material relationship and enough context to avoid a misleading impression. A NamedProof link alone is not a substitute for disclosure. Local advertising and professional rules may add requirements.
5. Editorial checks and complaints
NamedProof can check evidence, attribution, clarity, completeness and rule compliance. It must not replace the expert's supported judgment with a commercially convenient verdict. Corrections should distinguish factual changes from a different opinion.
Report suspected pressure, concealed sponsorship or conflicts through the complaints contact. Payment and publication disputes do not authorize threats, false accusations, harassment or retaliation against an honest expert.