Editorial Standards

Sourcing & fact-checking

• Every city cost-of-living number must cite at least three independent sources before publication.
• Sources are listed with dates, and numeric city data includes the as_of month where available.
• Primary source families include InterNations, Mercer, Numbeo, Ookla, Nomad List, Global Peace Index, and official government portals.

Update cadence

• City data is refreshed when primary sources publish updates or when major city conditions change.
• Cost-of-living data is reviewed monthly against current public benchmarks.
• Internet speed and remote-work infrastructure are reviewed quarterly where source updates are available.
• Editorial articles carry publication dates and are reviewed when factual claims become time-sensitive.

AI usage policy

• Descriptive copy may be AI-assisted for drafting, editing, and structure.
• Factual claims about costs, taxes, safety, immigration, and visa rules require dated sources and human review before publication.
• AI-generated content is not used to invent sources, statistics, expert quotes, or legal conclusions.

Affiliate independence

• BestExpatCity participates in affiliate programs disclosed on the Affiliate Disclosure page.
• Editorial recommendations are not sold as paid placements.
• Affiliate links are marked with rel="sponsored noopener" where appropriate.
• Commercial relationships do not override source quality, reader fit, or disclosure requirements.

Corrections

• Readers can report factual issues through contact and issue-reporting entry points on the site.
• Corrections are reviewed as quickly as possible, with a target of 48 hours for high-impact factual errors.
• Material corrections are reflected on the affected page rather than silently hidden.

Content we do not publish

• Unverified visa, immigration, tax, or legal advice.
• Single-source cost claims in published city copy.
• Paid reviews presented as independent editorial judgment.
• AI-generated factual content without human review.

Reader-first rule

If a claim affects a relocation decision, it needs a source. If a link can earn money, it needs disclosure. If a topic carries legal, visa, or tax risk, it stays informational and points readers toward official sources or qualified advisors.