These guidelines apply to all content unless stated otherwise by the publisher or by Presscart on a case-by-case basis. See your Presscart portal for publisher-specific guidelines, and reach out to our team if you have any questions.

Structure & Formatting

• Word Count: 650–800 words for branded content; 800–1,200 words for blogs. 

• Headline: H1s in title case, fewer than 80 characters, and free of clickbait language.

• Subheaders: Use H2s and H3s every 100–250 words for scannability.

• Paragraph Length: Fewer than 80 words, vary paragraph length, and break up dense blocks for mobile readability.

Voice & Style

• POV: Third-person. Avoid first-person (“I,” “we”) except in attributed quotes.

• Voice: Professional and clear but not overly formal.

• Objectivity: Present verified facts and make evidence-backed statements; avoid hyperbole and unsubstantiated claims.

  • This includes statements like “Product X was the first of its kind to use this technology in the retail industry” — it may be true, but it cannot be proven without a lot of supplementary evidence.

  • Avoid words like “groundbreaking,” “foremost,” and “genius.”

• Specificity: Don’t just say “what”; say “how.”

  • “Used AI to streamline operations” says nothing. What is actually accomplished, and how?

  • However, do not be overly specific; keep in mind that the reader does not have an expert’s perspective and familiarity with technical concepts.

• Reading Level: Aim for Flesch-Kincaid grade 8–10. Use this tool to quickly highlight problem sentences.

• Style Guide: Use the Chicago Manual of Style unless otherwise stated.

• Localization: Where relevant, include local information (like city, state, or community impact) that’s tailored to regional outlets (London Loves Business, LA Weekly, etc.)

Images

• Main Image: 1 mandatory hero image, horizontal 1200×600, high-resolution, no watermarks.

• Additional Images: Up to 3 supplementary images, horizontal 1200×600 preferred.

• Alt Text: Alt text should be fewer than 125 characters. While it may contain a keyword, it must actually describe the image.

• Prohibitions: No stock images with solid/empty backgrounds; no explicit, violent, or low-quality visuals; and no AI-generated visuals.

• Infographics/Video: Allowed by certain publications if hosted on reputable platforms and embed code is supplied; these count toward the 4-image limit.

• Note: Images are not always supported by the publisher. All images are subject to Presscart and publisher discretion.

Links

• Max Links: 3 contextual hyperlinks per 800 words.

• Destination Quality: Link to authoritative domains only. Avoid affiliate, URL shorteners, or paywalled pages.

• Citing Sources: If you’re citing a fact or claim, hyperlink it in text; long-form references are unnecessary.

Restricted & Sensitive Topics

The Presscart portal will flag categories that many publishers scrutinize or outright reject. When in doubt, check with a Presscart representative before submitting content related to the following:

• CBD / Hemp / Cannabis: Prohibited unless publication explicitly allows. Requires FDA-compliant language — no health claims.

• Gambling / Sports-Betting: Generally disallowed. Educational or industry-analysis pieces may pass if they’re free of promotional codes and betting odds.

• Adult Content: Disallowed in mainstream outlets. Niche lifestyle pubs may accept neutral coverage, but no explicit content.

• Crypto / NFTs: Permitted with strict neutrality; avoid investment advice or price predictions.

• Investing / Trading: Educational tone only. Include disclaimer: “This article does not constitute financial advice…”

• Supplements / Weight-loss / Medical Claims: Must cite peer-reviewed research. Include disclaimer “Consult a medical professional." No cure-alls.

• Political Content: Avoid partisan advocacy; stick to fact-based reporting and balanced sourcing.

• “Grey-Area” Services (Essay Writing, Buying Followers, Link Selling): Typically prohibited.

Legal & Compliance Checklist

• Fact‑check every statistic and quotation. Provide sources in a publicly accessible research doc.

• Verify you hold usage rights for every image; keep proof‑of‑license on file.

• For quotes, supply spelling of names, titles, and company affiliations.

• Ensure content is not plagiarized; run all drafts through an originality checker (< 3 % similarity threshold).

• Ensure content is not written by AI. Drafts should be able to pass Copyleaks as human-written.

Following these guidelines will help ensure your content meets the baseline standards that publications expect, reducing rejections and post‑publication takedowns.