Sachstruktur publishes sponsored content as part of our funding model, but we maintain strict separation between commercial material and editorial journalism. Every piece of sponsored content is clearly labelled so readers can distinguish it from our independent reporting. Our commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions, and all sponsored material is subject to the same fact-checking and editorial standards as our news coverage.
What is sponsored content at Sachstruktur?
Sponsored content is editorial-style material that a third party pays us to produce. It may be created by our editorial team, by the sponsor, or in collaboration, but it is always clearly marked as sponsored. Unlike display advertising, sponsored content looks and reads like an article or feature, so labelling is essential to maintain trust.
We only accept sponsored content that aligns with our editorial mission of trustworthy Swedish journalism. The sponsor has no control over the final content beyond agreeing on the general topic. All sponsored pieces are reviewed by a named editor and fact-checked by Jessica Fischer, our fact-checking manager, before publication.
How do we label sponsored content?
Every sponsored article carries a prominent label – for example “Sponsored”, “Paid Content” or “In Partnership With [Sponsor]” – at the top of the page. The label is visible before the headline and in article listings. We also include a short disclosure explaining who paid for the content and that Sachstruktur retains editorial control.
Sponsored content is archived in the same way as our news articles and includes a note in the metadata. Readers can find a full explanation of our labelling practices in our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
How does sponsored content differ from affiliate links?
Affiliate links are links to third-party retailers that earn Sachstruktur a small commission if a reader makes a purchase. These are used only within our regular editorial content and are always disclosed, as set out in our disclosure policy. Affiliate links do not involve payment for the article itself.
Sponsored content, by contrast, involves direct payment for the production or publication of a specific piece. It is not part of our independent editorial stream. Both practices are transparent, but they serve different purposes and are labelled differently so readers can tell them apart.
What you can expect from us
Our editorial independence is absolute. No sponsor can dictate the angle, conclusions or content of any piece. Commercial partnerships never override our journalistic judgement. We will turn down sponsored content that conflicts with our values or misleads readers.
We also publish a full breakdown of our funding sources in our Ownership & Funding page. If you see sponsored content that you believe is not clearly labelled, please contact our complaints desk at complaints@sachstruktur.de.
Who decides what sponsored content we accept?
Our editor-in-chief, Florian Schmid, has final approval over all sponsored content. No sponsorship is accepted without his sign-off. He is supported by the commercial partnerships team, but editorial decisions rest with the newsroom.
We have a written policy that prohibits sponsors from reviewing articles before publication or requesting changes after the fact. If a sponsor disagrees with the final piece, they may withdraw their sponsorship, but the article will not be altered for commercial reasons. This policy is reviewed annually by Sachstruktur Media Ltd.
How can you enquire about sponsored content?
If your organisation is interested in sponsoring content on Sachstruktur, please email our partnerships team at sponsored@sachstruktur.de. We will respond with a rate card and discuss potential topics. All enquiries are treated confidentially.
You can also reach us through our Contact page. For general advertising or affiliate partnership enquiries, please use the same email and we will direct you to the right person.
Questions or concerns?
If you have a question about a specific piece of sponsored content, or if you believe a sponsorship has not been properly disclosed, please contact our fact-checking manager Jessica Fischer at factcheck@sachstruktur.de or use our complaints procedure. We take transparency seriously and will investigate every report.
For more on our editorial standards, see our Editorial Policy and Fact-Checking Policy. This Sponsored Content Policy is part of our commitment to honest, reader-first journalism.