DollarSound
Editorial

Editorial Guidelines

How we evaluate financial products, maintain independence, and ensure the accuracy of our content.

Our editorial principles

Editorial independence

Our editorial team operates independently from our business and partnerships teams. No partner, advertiser, or sponsor can influence our rankings, ratings, or editorial opinions. We evaluate products based on published criteria regardless of commercial relationships.

Transparent methodology

We publish the criteria we use to evaluate products in each category. Our ratings are based on objective factors — such as APR ranges, fees, rewards rates, and customer service quality — not subjective impressions or undisclosed preferences.

Regular updates

Financial products change frequently. We review and update our content on a regular basis to reflect current rates, terms, and offers. Pages display a "last updated" date so you know how recent the information is.

Written for real people

We write for consumers, not financial professionals. Our goal is to explain complex financial products in plain English, without jargon or unnecessary complexity. If a concept requires explanation, we explain it.

Accuracy and corrections

We strive for accuracy in all our content. If you find an error, please contact us at [email protected]. We investigate all correction requests and update content promptly when errors are confirmed.

Source standards

We cite primary sources — including official product terms, regulatory filings, and government data — wherever possible. We do not rely on unverified secondary sources for factual claims about financial products.

How we evaluate products

Credit Cards

  • Purchase APR range
  • Annual fee
  • Sign-up bonus value
  • Ongoing rewards rate
  • Foreign transaction fees
  • Additional benefits and protections
  • Issuer customer service quality

Personal Loans

  • APR range
  • Origination and other fees
  • Loan amount range
  • Repayment term options
  • Funding speed
  • Minimum credit score requirement
  • Unique features (e.g., unemployment protection)

Savings Accounts

  • Annual percentage yield (APY)
  • Monthly maintenance fees
  • Minimum balance requirements
  • FDIC insurance coverage
  • ATM access
  • Mobile app quality
  • Customer service

Investment Platforms

  • Commission structure
  • Account minimums
  • Investment selection
  • Research and educational tools
  • Mobile app quality
  • Account types offered
  • Customer support