# Correction Policy

> The 1stepGrow correction policy explains how we fix factual errors, label corrections, clarifications and updates, and how you can report a mistake to us.

- **Last updated:** Sep 11, 2026
- **Canonical URL:** https://www.1stepgrow.com/correction-policy/

## At a glance

- 1stepGrow corrects factual errors openly with a dated note at the end of the article and a new Updated date.
- To report an error, email contacts@1stepgrow.com with the subject "Correction request", the article URL, the exact claim and your evidence.
- We acknowledge reports within 2 working days and aim to fix material factual errors within 48 hours of verifying them.
- If an error changes a position in a ranking, we re-score the options against the stated criteria and say so in the note.
- Requests to be ranked higher or to remove accurate criticism are not corrections and are handled under our editorial policy.

This correction policy explains how 1stepGrow fixes mistakes in its articles, how corrections are shown to readers, and how anyone can report an error. It applies to everything we publish, including news, comparisons, ranked lists, career guides, tutorials, interview features and guest posts.

## Our commitment to accuracy

When we get something wrong, we fix it promptly and say so openly rather than changing the article quietly. Readers rely on our work to make decisions about their learning and careers, so a correction that is easy to find matters as much as the original article.

This policy supports the accuracy and fact-checking standards set out in our [editorial policy](https://www.1stepgrow.com/editorial-policy/). Every article carries a named author, whose page is listed in our [authors directory](https://www.1stepgrow.com/authors/), and an editor is responsible for deciding how each error is handled.

## Types of corrections

We use four types of note, depending on what went wrong and how much it matters to the reader.

| Type | What it is | How it is shown | Example |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Correction | A factual error has been fixed. | A dated note at the end of the article describing the original error, and a new Updated date. | The article gave the wrong duration for a programme, and the correct duration has been added. |
| Clarification | The article was accurate but unclear, incomplete or open to misreading. | A dated note at the end of the article explaining what has been clarified, and a new Updated date. | A fee was correct but did not say it excluded tax, so the wording has been made explicit. |
| Update | New information became available after publication. This is not an error. | A new Updated date and, where the change is significant, a dated note saying what was added. | A provider changed its fees, or a news story developed after we first reported it. |
| Retraction | The article, or a central part of it, cannot be supported and has been withdrawn. | A notice at the original URL explaining what was retracted and why. | The main claim in an article turned out to rest on a source that proved unreliable. |

The examples in the table are illustrations of each type, not descriptions of particular past cases.

## Changes that do not get a note

Small fixes that do not change the meaning of an article are made without a correction note. These include:

- spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes;
- formatting and layout problems;
- broken or redirected links, which we repair or replace;
- replacing an image with an equivalent one;
- style edits that leave the facts and conclusions unchanged.

If a typing error changes the meaning, for example a wrong digit in a fee or a date, we treat it as a correction and add a note.

## How corrections are displayed

Corrections appear as a dated note at the end of the article, so readers who saw the earlier version can tell exactly what changed. The note follows this form:

> Correction, 11 September 2026: An earlier version of this article stated [the original claim]. In fact, [the correct information].

In every case:

- the note describes the original error, not only the corrected fact;
- the article's Updated date changes to the date of the correction;
- the text of the article is corrected so the error is not repeated;
- clarifications and significant updates use the same format, beginning "Clarification" or "Update" with the date.

If an error affected the main point of an article, we may also add a short note near the top so readers see it before they start reading.

## How to report an error

Anyone can report an error, and every report is read by an editor. Email **contacts@1stepgrow.com** with the subject line **"Correction request"** and include:

1. **The URL** of the article.
2. **The exact claim** you believe is wrong, quoted word for word if possible.
3. **Why it is wrong**, in a sentence or two.
4. **Your evidence**, such as links to official documents, published fee pages or full syllabi.

Please share evidence as links to public sources where you can. For security reasons, we do not open executable or downloadable files. You can also reach us through our [contact page](https://www.1stepgrow.com/contact-us/), which accepts plain text only.

If you are connected to the organisation or person the article is about, please say so. It does not stop us from acting on your report, but it helps us understand the context.

## Response times

We acknowledge correction requests within 2 working days and act on verified material errors quickly.

- **Acknowledgement:** within 2 working days of receiving your email.
- **Material factual errors:** fixed as soon as we have verified them, with an aim of doing so within 48 hours of verification.
- **Complex disputes:** where checking requires documents, interviews or independent confirmation, we tell you what we are checking and when you can expect an answer.
- **No correction needed:** if we conclude the article is accurate, we explain why.

If you disagree with our decision, reply to the same email thread and ask for the decision to be reviewed by a senior editor.

## Corrections to rankings and comparisons

When an error affects a comparison or ranked list, we re-score the options against the evaluation criteria stated in that article. We do not change criteria to reach a different result, and we apply the same criteria to every option.

- If the corrected information changes an option's position, the correction note says so, for example that an option has moved from one position to another because of a corrected fee or course length.
- If the position does not change, the note records the corrected fact.
- Changes that come from our periodic review of comparisons, such as a provider changing its fees or syllabus, are updates rather than corrections, and they are reflected in the Updated date.

Organisations that believe a comparison is wrong should send evidence from official, published sources. Marketing claims alone are not enough to change an assessment. For how comparisons are researched, see our [editorial policy](https://www.1stepgrow.com/editorial-policy/).

## Requests that are not corrections

Some requests we receive are not about factual errors, and they are handled under our [editorial policy](https://www.1stepgrow.com/editorial-policy/) rather than this correction policy. These include requests to:

- rank an option higher, or include it in a list, without identifying a factual error;
- remove or soften accurate criticism;
- remove or unpublish an accurate news report;
- change analysis or opinion that the evidence reasonably supports.

Other types of request have their own routes:

- **Legal matters,** including copyright complaints, are handled under our [copyright](https://www.1stepgrow.com/copyright/) page and our [terms and conditions](https://www.1stepgrow.com/terms-and-conditions/).
- **Personal data** requests are covered by our [privacy policy](https://www.1stepgrow.com/privacy-policy/).
- **Commercial enquiries,** such as advertising or sponsored content, go through our [media kit](https://www.1stepgrow.com/media-kit/).

## Corrections to guest posts and interviews

Guest posts and interview features are corrected under the same rules as the rest of our content, and the final decision rests with our editors.

- **Guest posts:** when an error is reported in a guest post, we consult the contributor and ask for their evidence. An editor then decides whether a correction, clarification or update is needed. Contributors can find our standards on the [Write for Us](https://www.1stepgrow.com/write-for-us/) page.
- **Interviews:** if a quotation was recorded or transcribed incorrectly, we correct it with a note. If an interviewee later changes their mind about something they said accurately, that is not a correction. An editor may add a clarification if it helps readers.

## Retractions and unpublishing

Retractions are rare and are explained publicly. We retract an article only when its central claim cannot be supported and correcting it would not be enough.

When we retract an article, we keep a notice at the original URL explaining what was retracted and why, rather than deleting the page without explanation. We consider removing an article entirely only in exceptional circumstances, such as a legal requirement or a serious risk to someone's safety. Even then, where the law allows, we publish a brief note explaining that the article has been removed.

## Accountability and oversight

Editors are responsible for handling correction requests, and our [executive board](https://www.1stepgrow.com/executive-board/) oversees how this policy is applied. Every article names its author, so readers know who wrote the work being corrected.

We review this correction policy periodically. The date of the latest revision appears at the top of the page. Questions about the policy itself can be sent to contacts@1stepgrow.com.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I report an error in a 1stepGrow article?

Email contacts@1stepgrow.com with the subject line "Correction request". Include the article URL, the exact claim you believe is wrong, and links to evidence such as official documents. Anyone can report an error, and every report is read by an editor.

### How quickly does 1stepGrow correct mistakes?

We acknowledge correction requests within 2 working days. Material factual errors are fixed as soon as we verify them, and we aim to do this within 48 hours of verification. For complex disputes, we explain what we are checking and when to expect an answer.

### What is the difference between a correction and an update?

A correction fixes something we got wrong, and it is shown as a dated note that describes the original error. An update adds new information that became available after publication, such as a fee change or a new development in a story. Both change the article's Updated date.

### Will 1stepGrow change a ranking if I point out an error?

If the error affected how an option was assessed, we re-score it against the evaluation criteria stated in the article. If its position changes as a result, the correction note says so. A request to be ranked higher without a factual error is not a correction.

### Can I ask 1stepGrow to remove an article about my company?

We do not remove accurate reporting or accurate criticism on request. If the article contains a factual error, report it as a correction request and we will investigate. Legal requests are handled under our copyright and terms and conditions pages.

### Does 1stepGrow delete articles that contain mistakes?

Usually not. We correct the article and leave a dated note so readers can see what changed. Retractions and unpublishing are rare, and when they happen we explain them publicly.