Editorial Policy - E-E-A-T & YMYL Standards

Understanding YMYL Content

TalkingAlcohol.org publishes "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL) content—information that can significantly impact a person's health, safety, financial stability, or well-being. Health information about alcohol use disorders, treatment options, and recovery falls squarely into the YMYL category because inaccurate information could lead to serious harm.

Why YMYL Standards Matter

Alcohol use disorder is a serious medical condition. Information about:

•Medical symptoms and conditions (e.g., alcohol withdrawal, liver disease)
•Treatment options and medical procedures
•Safety risks (e.g., alcohol poisoning, drinking and driving)
•Medication interactions and health complications

...must be held to the highest standards of accuracy and reliability because people may make critical health decisions based on this information.

E-E-A-T Quality Standards

Google's E-E-A-T framework evaluates content quality through four dimensions. Here's how TalkingAlcohol.org addresses each:

Experience

Content is created by professionals with direct, hands-on experience in addiction treatment, intervention services, and behavioral healthcare.

Our Experience:

→Benjamin Zohar (NCACIP) - Nationally Certified Advanced Clinical Intervention Professional and recovery advocate with over a decade of experience in intervention services and treatment coordination
→Brandon McNally (RN) - Clinical nursing experience in behavioral health and addiction treatment settings
→Ezra Zohar, M.S.Ed. - Educational Specialist with Master of Science in Secondary Education, specializing in addiction awareness and recovery education

Expertise

All health content undergoes medical review by licensed healthcare professionals with specialized training in addiction medicine.

Our Expertise:

→Medical review by Registered Nurse with behavioral health specialization
→Content authored by nationally certified addiction professionals
→Citations from peer-reviewed medical research and government health agencies
→Compliance with clinical guidelines from SAMHSA, ASAM, and medical organizations

Authoritativeness

TalkingAlcohol.org is recognized as a credible source through professional affiliations, contributor credentials, and adherence to medical standards.

Our Authority:

→Professional memberships: NAADAC, AAPNY, ISSUP
→Content reviewed by licensed medical professionals
→Transparent contributor credentials and full profiles
→Regular updates based on new research and clinical guidelines

Trustworthiness

We maintain user trust through transparency, accuracy, and commitment to ethical health information practices.

Our Trustworthiness:

→Clear disclosure of content authors and medical reviewers
→Comprehensive medical disclaimers on all health content
→Verifiable sources cited for all medical claims
→Last-updated dates visible on all content
→No hidden conflicts of interest or undisclosed financial relationships

Content Creation & Review Process

Step-by-Step Editorial Process

1
Research & Planning
Topic research, keyword analysis, and content structure planning based on user needs and search intent.
2
Content Development
Written by addiction professionals with relevant credentials. All medical claims sourced from peer-reviewed research, government health agencies (CDC, NIH, SAMHSA), or established medical organizations.
3
Editorial Review
Content editor reviews for clarity, accuracy, readability, and compliance with editorial standards. Fact-checking of all statistics and medical claims.
4
Medical Review
Licensed healthcare professional (RN with behavioral health specialization) reviews for medical accuracy, safety, and alignment with clinical guidelines. Medical reviewer may request revisions or corrections.
5
Final Quality Check
Verification that medical reviewer feedback has been incorporated. Confirmation that proper disclaimers, contributor bylines, and citations are in place.
6
Publication & Monitoring
Content published with clear authorship, medical review attribution, and last-updated date. Content monitored for user feedback and scheduled for regular review cycles.

Source Requirements & Citations

Approved Source Types

Primary Sources (Preferred):

• Peer-reviewed medical journals and research studies
• Government health agencies (CDC, NIH, NIAAA, SAMHSA)
• Professional medical organizations (AMA, APA, ASAM)
• Clinical practice guidelines and treatment protocols

Secondary Sources (Acceptable with Verification):

• Medical textbooks and reference materials (current editions)
• Educational institutions and academic medical centers
• Established healthcare organizations
• Meta-analyses and systematic reviews

Prohibited Sources:

• Social media posts or user-generated content
• Commercial websites without medical review
• Outdated sources (>5 years for medical information)
• Sources with conflicts of interest or bias
• Non-medical blogs or opinion pieces

Safety Standards & Disclaimers

Required Safety Elements

All health content must include:

Emergency warnings: Clear instructions to call 911 for medical emergencies (alcohol poisoning, withdrawal seizures, etc.)
Medical disclaimer: Statement that content is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice
Professional consultation: Encouragement to consult healthcare providers for personalized medical advice
Helpline access: Prominent display of 24/7 helpline number for immediate support

Medical Disclaimer Template

"This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately."

Content Update & Maintenance Policy

Regular Review Cycles

Quarterly:

All treatment and medical information pages reviewed for guideline updates and new research

Annually:

Comprehensive review of all content with complete fact-checking and source verification

As Needed:

Immediate updates when new clinical guidelines are released or significant research findings are published

Triggers for Immediate Review:

• New FDA warnings or medication recalls
• Updated clinical practice guidelines from SAMHSA or ASAM
• Significant new research findings in addiction medicine
• Changes in treatment availability or standards of care
• User feedback indicating potential inaccuracies

Transparency & Accountability

Our Commitments

Full Disclosure: All content includes clear author bylines and medical reviewer attribution
Credential Verification: Contributor profiles include verifiable credentials and professional affiliations
No Hidden Agendas: Clear disclosure of any relationships with treatment providers
Accessible Corrections: Errors are corrected promptly with visible update notices
User Feedback: Mechanisms for users to report concerns or inaccuracies

Questions About Our Editorial Standards?

We welcome questions about our editorial process, content sources, or contributor credentials. Transparency is fundamental to maintaining trust.

View Our Contributors

EEAT & YMYL Editorial Policy