Correction Policy
This policy explains how Indoor Plant Care Guide identifies, corrects, and communicates errors and updates to our content. Transparency and accuracy are core values.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
Our Commitment to Accuracy
We work hard to get it right:
- Research thoroughly before publishing
- Test recommendations in real conditions
- Have expert review before publication
- Verify sources and citations
- Maintain editorial standards see Editorial Policy
But we also make mistakes. This policy explains what we do when we do
Types of Corrections
We categorize corrections into three types:
Factual Errors
Definition: Incorrect information that we published.
Examples:
- Wrong hardiness zone for a plant
- Incorrect toxicity classification
- Incorrect watering frequency
- False claim about plant characteristics
Our response: Immediate correction, clear notation
Clarity or Completeness Updates
Definition: Information that’s technically correct but incomplete, outdated, or unclear.
Examples:
- Adding new care information discovered after publication
- Clarifying confusing wording
- Adding safety warnings we later realize are important
- Updating information when research evolves
Our response: Update content, note the change
Editorial Corrections
Definition: Grammar, spelling, formatting, or style issues.
Examples:
- Typos
- Grammar mistakes
- Broken links
- Image issues
Our response: Correct silently (no notation needed for minor edits)
How We Handle Corrections
Step 1: Verification
We investigate the claim. For safety-related corrections, we verify against official sources:
● ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center** (pet toxicity)
● National Poison Control** (human toxicity)
● USDA Plant Databases** (plant identification, hardiness)
● EPA Pesticide Guidance** (treatment safety)
● University Extension Programs** (horticultural practices)
If we confirm an error, we correct it immediately.
Step 2: Correction
We update the content. Our approach depends on severity:
● Minor corrections** (typos, grammar): Updated silently, no change note
● Moderate corrections** (missing details, clarifications): Updated with a change note
● Significant corrections** (factual errors, safety info): Updated with a detailed correction note
Step 3: Transparency
For all corrections except minor typos, we add a clear update note at the bottom of the article that includes:
● What was changed
● Why it was changed
● When it was changed
● Sources consulted (for safety corrections)
Step 4: Communication
If you reported the error, we’ll notify you once it’s fixed.
How We Find Errors
Internal Review
- Our team reviews articles regularly
- We monitor comments and feedback
- We watch plant care discussions online
- We stay updated on new research
Expert Review
Our horticultural expert regularly reviews high-risk content:
- Toxicity claims
- Pest control recommendations
- Safety guidance
- Rare plant care
Reader Reports
You can report errors anytime:
Email: [email protected]
Subject: “Correction Request – [Article Title]”
Include:
- Article title and URL
- What’s incorrect
- Why it’s incorrect
- Source or evidence (if possible)
Response time: We investigate within 5 business days
Our Correction Process
Step 1: Report Received
Reader (or team member) reports a potential error.
What we do:
- Document the report
- Note date and details
- Assign a reviewer
Step 2: Verification
We verify whether there’s actually an error.
Process:
- Check original research and sources
- Consult our horticultural expert
- Review current best practices
- Test in real conditions (if applicable)
- Cross-reference multiple sources
Possible outcomes:
- Error confirmed → Proceed to correction
- Error not confirmed → Respond to reporter with explanation
- Legitimate disagreement → Note in article that experts disagree
Step 3: Expert Consultation (High-Risk Content)
For toxicity, safety, or pest control claims:
- Our expert evaluates the error
- Expert determines severity (minor, moderate, critical)
- Expert approves the correction
Critical errors (safety risks):
- Corrected immediately
- May warrant a notification to readers
Moderate errors (factual inaccuracy):
- Corrected within 48 hours
Minor errors (small details):
- Corrected as part of regular updates
Step 4: Correction Implementation
We fix the article:
- Correct the factual error
- Add clarifying information if needed
- Fix broken links or images
- Update outdated information
- Review for any related errors
Step 5: Notation & Transparency
We add a notation to the article explaining what changed and why:
Minor corrections:
[Correction Note – Date]: Fixed [specific detail].
Reason: [brief explanation]
Significant corrections:
[Correction Note – Date]: We updated [section name] to [new information].
Previous statement: “[old information]”
Reason: [explanation]
Source: [citation]
Step 6: Notification
How we notify readers:
Option A: Email notification (if email subscriber list exists)
- Subject: “Correction to: [Article Title]”
- Explanation of what changed and why
- Link to corrected article
Option B: Social media notification (via Instagram/TikTok)
- Announcement of correction
- Link to article
Option C: On-page notation
- Correction note visible at bottom of article
- Readers can see what changed and when
Step 7: Public Record
All corrections are tracked in our:
- Corrections log: Public list of all corrections by date
- Article history: Each article shows its update history
- Transparency page: Accessible from footer
Corrections Log & Transparency
Public Corrections Log
We maintain a public log of all corrections:
Format:
- Article title
- Date of correction
- What was corrected
- Why it was corrected
- Source/reasoning
Access: Linked from our footer
Purpose: Show readers we’re transparent and accountable
Article Update History
Each article displays:
Last updated: [Date]
Updates on this page:
– [Date]: [What changed and why]
Special Handling for High-Risk Content
Safety-Sensitive Corrections
Content type: Toxicity, pest control, chemical treatments, child/pet safety
Extra steps:
- Expert review (mandatory)
- Severity assessment (critical/moderate/minor)
- Immediate correction (if critical)
- Reader notification (if critical)
- Follow-up verification
Critical error example: Listing a toxic plant as safe
- Action: Correct immediately and notify subscribers
- Note: Prominent correction notice
- Expert sign-off: Required before republishing
Information That Contradicts Research
What to do: Note the disagreement and add context
Example:
- Our article says “Water when soil is dry”
- New research suggests “Water when top 1 inch is dry”
- Action: Update the article, note the change, cite new research
Rationale: Plant science evolves. We update with new findings.
Corrections That Affect Recommendations
If we recommended a product/method and later found issues:
- Update the recommendation
- Clearly state why we changed it
- Suggest alternatives
- Apologize if the error could have caused problems
Corrections We Won’t Make
We won’t make changes:
- At the request of advertisers or sponsors (we don’t have any)
- To hide negative information
- To avoid embarrassment
- Based on unverified claims
- That compromise editorial integrity
- That conflict with our research
Principle: Corrections must be based on facts, not pressure
Responding to Correction Requests
If You Report an Error
What we’ll do:
- Acknowledge receipt within 24 hours
- Investigate within 5 business days
- Respond with our findings
- Update the article if error is confirmed
- Notify you of the outcome
What you should include in your report:
- Article title and URL
- Specific error (quote the text)
- Why it’s incorrect
- Source or evidence (if possible)
- Your name and email (optional)
If We Determine No Error Occurred
We’ll respond with:
- Explanation of why we believe the information is correct
- Citations supporting our position
- Acknowledgment of any ambiguity or disagreement
- Offer to discuss further
You can reply with:
- Additional evidence
- Questions about our reasoning
- Request for further consideration
If We Disagree But Want to Note Disagreement
Sometimes, legitimate experts disagree.
What we might do:
- Add a note: “Some experts recommend [alternative], while others prefer [our recommendation]. Both approaches have merit.”
- Link to contrasting viewpoints
- Cite sources for both positions
Principle: Transparency over artificial consensus.
Corrections Timeline
| Error Type | Investigation | Correction | Notification |
| Critical (safety risk) | 24 hours | Immediate | Yes, email + social |
| Moderate (factual) | 5 business days | 48 hours | Yes, on-page note |
| Minor (clarity) | 5 business days | 1 week | Only on-page |
| Editorial (typo) | N/A | Immediate | Silent |
Data Retention for Corrections
We keep records of:
- Original article text: For 1 year (shows what was changed)
- Correction notes: Permanently (public record)
- Correction reports: 2 years (for trend analysis)
- Expert review: 1 year (backup verification)
Purpose: Accountability and showing our correction history.
Escalation Process
If You Disagree With Our Response
Step 1: Reply to our correction response with your disagreement
Step 2: We’ll have a horticultural expert review your objection
Step 3: If still in disagreement, we’ll offer:
- A meeting/call to discuss
- Mediation from an external expert
- A visible note on the article that experts disagree
Step 4: If still unresolved:
- We’ll note the disagreement on the article
- We’ll include both perspectives
- We’ll cite both sources
Serious Disputes
If there’s serious disagreement about a major claim:
We make a final determination based on evidence
We consult with university extension programs
We reference peer-reviewed research
We may temporarily update the article with “Under Review” note
Corrections vs. Updates
Correction
When: We published incorrect information
What we do: Fix it and note it was an error
Example:
[Correction – August 2026]: We previously said Peace Lilies prefer low light. They actually prefer bright, indirect light. We apologize for the confusion.
Update
When: Information is still correct but incomplete or outdated
What we do: Add new information and note it was updated
Example:
[Updated – August 2026]: We’ve added new care tips for low-light situations, as several readers asked about this.
Legal Issues & Corrections
Corrections Don’t Admit Liability
Making a correction is:
- An act of transparency
- A commitment to accuracy
- NOT an admission of wrongdoing or liability
Corrections Are Public Record
All corrections are:
- Publicly visible
- Permanently noted
- Available in our corrections log
We believe transparency builds trust, not undermines it.
Corrections You Should Report
Corrections Don’t Admit LiabilityHelp us catch errors in:
- Plant care information (watering, light, soil, etc.)
- Toxicity claims
- Pest identification or treatment
- Product recommendations
- Scientific facts or claims
- Citations or sources
Report to: [email protected]
Corrections We Appreciate
We especially appreciate reports on:
- Safety issues: Toxicity, pet danger, child risk
- Outdated information: Old research contradicted by new findings
- Broken sources: Links that no longer work
- Clarity: Instructions that are confusing
These help us serve readers better.
Examples of Corrections
Example 1: Factual Error
Original article: “Snake Plants are toxic to cats.”
Correction research: ASPCA lists Snake Plant as toxic to cats. ✓ Correct.
Status: No correction needed.
Example 2: Incomplete Information
Original article: “Water Peace Lilies when soil is dry.”
Update discovered: “Water when top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Overwatering is the #1 cause of death.”
Correction:
[Updated – August 2026]: We’ve clarified the watering instructions to include specific depth measurements and added the warning about overwatering risks. This is based on feedback from our horticultural expert.
Example 3: Safety Issue
Original article: “Neem oil is safe for all plants.”
Error discovered: Neem oil can damage sensitive plants (orchids, ferns, etc.)
Correction:
[Critical Correction – August 2026]: We previously stated neem oil is safe for all plants. This is incorrect. Neem oil can damage sensitive plants including orchids, ferns, and impatiens. We’ve updated the article with a safety warning and alternative treatment methods. We apologize for this oversight.
Source: EPA Neem Oil Safety Guidelines
Notification: Social media announcement
FAQ About Corrections
Found an error? We want to know.
Email: [email protected]
Include:
- Article title and URL
- What’s incorrect
- Why it’s incorrect
- Evidence or source (if available)
We’ll respond within 5 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updates to This Policy
We may update this policy as our correction practices evolve.
Last Updated: August 2026
Changes will be noted on this page.
We believe transparency and accuracy go together. When we make mistakes, we correct them publicly and learn from them.
Your trust is everything to us. Help us earn it by holding us accountable.