Editorial Policy

Every guide on Life in Steps is meant to be something you can trust and actually use. This page explains how we choose topics, research and test our advice, use tools, handle images, keep articles up to date and fix mistakes.

Our mission

We publish practical, honest guides on technology, hair care and everyday life for busy people. Our goal is simple: answer real questions with clear steps, realistic expectations and no fluff, so you can solve the problem and get on with your day.

Who writes our content

Life in Steps is written by a small team, and each writer covers the topics they know best: Emma Collins (Beauty & Lifestyle Writer) and Ryan Mitchell (Tech & How-To Writer). Every article is checked against the standards on this page before it's published.

Every article shows who wrote it and when it was last updated. You can learn more about each writer's background and areas of expertise on their author page (linked from every article). We don't publish guest posts or sponsored articles.

How we choose topics

We write about the questions our readers actually have. Topic ideas come from:

• questions and suggestions readers send us by email;
• what people search for on Google and save on Pinterest, which shows us which problems are common and which existing answers fall short;
• our own everyday experience with devices, hair care and home routines;
• changes that affect our readers, such as software updates or new safety guidance.

Popularity alone isn't enough. We only cover a topic if we can add something genuinely useful: clearer steps, better context or an honest answer.

Research and sourcing standards

We build our guides on reliable information rather than repeating what other blogs say:

• Primary and authoritative sources first. We rely on official documentation, peer-reviewed research, government agencies and recognized professional organizations.
• Hair and scalp health. For anything touching on health, such as hair loss, scalp conditions or allergic reactions, we follow guidance from dermatology bodies such as the American Academy of Dermatology and from medical sources.
• Technology. For tech guides, we check official vendor documentation and support pages from companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft, and we note which software version or device the steps apply to when it matters.
• Food and home safety. We follow official guidance, such as government food safety recommendations.
• Links you can check. When we make a factual claim about health, safety or technology, we link to a trustworthy source so you can verify it yourself.

Hands-on testing

Wherever we can, we try techniques, settings, routines and product types ourselves before recommending them. When we describe testing, we're specific and honest about it: what we tried, for how long and under what conditions.

Not every article can be based on personal testing. When a guide is based on research, expert guidance or official documentation rather than hands-on experience, we say so. We never invent experiences, results, testimonials or before-and-after stories.

How we use AI tools

Like many publishers, we may use AI-assisted tools to help with parts of our work, such as researching a topic, organizing an outline, checking grammar or suggesting clearer wording. These tools are assistants, not authors or sources.

• Every article is reviewed, fact-checked and edited by a human editor before it is published.
• Facts are checked against reliable sources, not taken from an AI tool's answer.
• We never use AI to make up personal experiences, test results, quotes or expert opinions.
• The author named on an article is responsible for its accuracy.

Images

The images on Life in Steps come from a few sources:

• Licensed stock photos from libraries such as Pexels and Unsplash, used under their licenses;
• our own photos and screenshots, for example when we show settings screens or steps we've tested;
• illustrations and pin graphics we design ourselves, some of which may be created with the help of image-generation tools.

Stock photos are used for illustration and don't show the results of our own testing. We don't use generated images to depict real results, real products or real people, and we label generated illustrations where it could matter to your understanding. See our Copyright Policy for image credits.

Keeping articles up to date

Software changes, products change and research moves on. We review our guides regularly, and especially when we learn about an update that affects them. When we make a meaningful change, such as new steps, corrected facts or updated recommendations, we change the "Updated" date shown on the article. We don't change dates for cosmetic edits alone.

Corrections policy

We work hard to get things right, but mistakes can happen. If you spot an error, outdated information or a broken step, please email us at hello@lifeinsteps.com. Tell us which article it is and what needs fixing, and include a source if you have one.

• We aim to review every correction request within 3 business days.
• Confirmed errors are corrected as quickly as possible, and anything that could affect your safety is our top priority.
• For significant corrections, such as a wrong fact or a step that didn't work, we add a short note to the article explaining what changed and update the date.
• Minor fixes, such as typos or broken links, are made without a note.

Advertising and editorial independence

Life in Steps is free to read because we display ads through Google AdSense. Advertising and editorial decisions are kept separate:

• Ads are placed automatically by Google. We don't choose the specific ads you see, and showing an ad isn't an endorsement.
• Advertisers never see, review or approve our articles before they're published, and they have no influence over what we recommend.
• We don't accept payment, free products or other benefits in exchange for coverage or positive reviews.
• Our articles don't currently contain affiliate links. If we add them in the future, we'll clearly disclose them in the article, and commissions will never affect our recommendations.

You can read more in our Disclaimer.

Health and other sensitive topics

Some of our topics, such as hair loss, scalp problems or product reactions, can affect your health. We take extra care with these articles: we stick closely to guidance from medical and dermatology sources, avoid exaggerated claims and say clearly when it's time to see a doctor or a board-certified dermatologist.

Our content is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial or technical advice. If you're unsure whether advice is right for you, please talk to a qualified professional.

Questions and feedback

We welcome your feedback on our articles and this policy. Email us at hello@lifeinsteps.com or visit our contact page.