Sonderanalyse (sonderanalyse.de) accepts sponsored content from commercial partners, but we publish it only under strict labelling, transparency and editorial-independence rules. This page explains how we distinguish sponsored material from editorial journalism, how we label it, and what you can expect when you read a sponsored feature on our site.
How is sponsored content labelled?
Sponsored content on Sonderanalyse is always clearly labelled with the words “Sponsored” or “Sponsored by [partner name]” at the top of the article, immediately after the headline. No sponsored piece is published without this visible identifier.
The label appears both in the article preview on our homepage and at the beginning of the full article. In addition, each sponsored page carries a brief disclaimer stating that the content was produced in collaboration with a commercial partner and that the partner had no role in determining the editorial conclusions of any other content on the site. The colour and typography of the label are distinct from our standard article metadata, making it unmistakable for a reader.
How does sponsored content differ from affiliate links?
Affiliate links are links to third-party products or services that may earn Sonderanalyse a commission when a reader makes a purchase. They appear inside editorial articles or standalone product recommendations. Sponsored content, by contrast, is a paid-for article or feature commissioned by a commercial partner, not a link embedded in an existing story.
Our Advertising and Affiliate Disclosure explains how we mark affiliate links (typically with a small “Affiliate” note or a disclosure near the link). Sponsored content is a whole piece, not a link within a piece. Readers can tell the difference because sponsored articles carry the “Sponsored” label, while affiliate links are disclosed inline. Both are always separated from our independent editorial journalism.
What rules govern sponsored content at Sonderanalyse?
All sponsored content must comply with the same factual standards as our editorial content: it must be accurate, not misleading, and must not contain false claims. Every sponsored piece is reviewed by a human editor before publication, just like any other article.
Commercial partners are not permitted to influence the editorial direction of any other part of the site. Sponsored content may not pretend to be news written by our journalists – it must be clearly identifiable as paid content. Our fact-checking team, led by Anna Engels (Ansvarig för faktagranskning), may review sponsored material for factual accuracy. If a sponsored piece contains errors, it will be corrected or removed in line with our Corrections Policy. Sponsored content is also subject to our general Editorial Policy, which prohibits fabrication of quotes, sources or bylines.
What you can expect from us
You can expect that no commercial relationship – whether a sponsorship, an affiliate deal or an advertising contract – will ever determine the editorial conclusions of Sonderanalyse’s independent news coverage. Editorial independence is a core principle, and we enforce it through clear internal separation between the commercial and editorial teams.
Matthias Richter, Chefredaktör, is responsible for all editorial decisions and has final authority over publication. No sponsor may request pre‑approval of an article written by our journalists. Sponsored content is produced by a separate commercial‑content team, and any reference to Sonderanalyse’s news coverage in a sponsored piece must be approved by the editorial desk. Our Ownership and Funding page details the revenue streams that support our journalism, including display advertising, affiliate links and sponsored content.
How can you enquire about sponsored content?
If you are a potential partner and would like to discuss a sponsored feature, please contact our commercial team at sponsored@sonderanalyse.de. We welcome enquiries from organisations that share our commitment to accuracy and transparency.
Our commercial team can explain our pricing, production timeline and labelling requirements. All proposals are reviewed against our editorial standards before acceptance. We reserve the right to decline any sponsorship that conflicts with our values or could mislead readers. For general partnership enquiries, you may also use the contact form on our Contact page.
Questions or concerns?
If you believe a sponsored article is not clearly labelled, contains inaccurate information or violates our policy, please let us know. Complaints about sponsored content are handled through the same channel as editorial complaints.
Write to complaints@sonderanalyse.de or use our Complaints Procedure. For fact‑checking concerns, contact Anna Engels at factcheck@sonderanalyse.de. We take all reports seriously and will respond with a correction, removal or explanation within five business days.