This policy explains how 2 Forks Events handles sponsored content, how it differs from our affiliate links and independent editorial, and the strict limits we place on it. Read it together with our Affiliate Disclosure, Advertise, and Editorial Policy pages.
Our starting position
2 Forks Events is independently operated and free to read. Sustaining an independent event publication costs money, and advertising and sponsored content are legitimate ways to fund it — but only on terms that protect our readers and our independence. We would rather forgo revenue than accept content that misleads readers, compromises our editorial judgment, or blurs the line between editorial and advertising. This policy sets out the terms on which we will, and will not, accept commercial content.
Clear labelling
Any content that is produced with, or paid for by, a sponsor is clearly labelled — for example with a “Sponsored” marker — and is kept visually distinct from our independent editorial content. Readers should never be in any doubt about what is editorial and what is paid. We do not disguise advertising as journalism, and we do not run “native” formats designed to be mistaken for our own reporting.
What we will consider
We consider sponsored content from organisations whose work is compatible with our editorial mission and with our audience of event-goers and planners. Typically this includes event-industry brands, venues, event-technology providers, aligned wedding-industry brands, ticketing and hospitality services, and relevant retailers. The test is always whether the content would be genuinely useful and relevant to our readers, and whether the sponsor’s offering is something we would be comfortable being associated with.
What we will not accept
We will not accept sponsored content that is misleading or deceptive; that is designed to be mistaken for independent editorial; that promotes gambling, adult, or crypto products; or that we judge to be incompatible with the dignity of the subject matter or our editorial values. We do not accept paid guest posts, and we do not sell links or listings in paid guest-post marketplaces. We also will not allow a sponsor to dictate or veto our independent coverage of them or anyone else.
How sponsored content is produced and reviewed
When we accept a sponsored feature, we agree the topic with the sponsor, but the content is produced to be genuinely useful and accurate, not merely promotional. Our editors review it for accuracy, appropriate labelling, and compliance with this policy before it is published, and we retain the right to require changes or to decline to publish if a proposed piece would mislead readers or blur the line with editorial. A sponsor’s payment secures a clearly-labelled, useful piece — not control over our editorial voice.
Editorial control and independence
Sponsorship never buys influence over our independent coverage. Sponsors and advertisers do not preview, approve, or shape our editorial content, and a commercial relationship does not earn favourable treatment or protect against unfavourable coverage. Where we publish sponsored content, our editors retain the right to ensure it is accurate, appropriately labelled, and not misleading, and we reserve the right to end a commercial relationship that conflicts with our editorial mission.
Our promise to readers
Our promise is simple. Commercial content will always be labelled. It will never be allowed to influence our independent coverage. And it will never include the categories we refuse. If you ever believe a piece of content on our site is commercially influenced but not properly labelled, please tell us at editorial@2forksevents.com — we treat such reports seriously, because the clarity of the line between editorial and advertising is central to our credibility. Organisations interested in sponsored content that meets these standards can see our Advertise page.
Keeping the line clear
The credibility of everything we publish depends on readers being able to tell editorial from advertising at a glance. That is why sponsored content is visually distinct and labelled, why advertising units are identified as advertising, and why we do not run “native” formats designed to be mistaken for our own reporting. We think this clarity is not only ethically right but commercially sensible: advertising alongside trusted, clearly-separated journalism is worth more than advertising that erodes the trust it depends on.
Affiliate links are separate
Sponsored content is not the same as our use of affiliate links. Affiliate links are ordinary editorial links that may earn a commission, disclosed on the relevant article and governed by our Affiliate Disclosure. Sponsored content is paid-for content, labelled as such. We keep the two clearly distinct, and neither is allowed to influence our independent coverage.
Review of this policy
We keep this policy under review and will update it as the advertising landscape, our audience, and applicable standards evolve. Any changes will remain consistent with the core commitments stated here: clear labelling, editorial independence, and a firm refusal of the categories we exclude. Questions about how we handle sponsored content are welcome at editorial@2forksevents.com, and we are happy to explain our approach to readers, partners, and prospective sponsors alike.
In short
Sponsored content on 2 Forks Events is always clearly labelled, always kept distinct from independent editorial, never allowed to influence our coverage, and never drawn from the categories we refuse. It is different from advertising and from affiliate links, each of which has its own clearly-stated rules. If you believe any content is commercially influenced but not properly labelled, tell us at editorial@2forksevents.com — that clarity is central to our credibility, and we protect it.
If you would like to discuss any of this further, our team is glad to help — email editorial@2forksevents.com and we will respond as promptly as we can. We value clarity and honesty in every relationship, commercial or editorial, and we aim to make working with us straightforward and transparent from the first message onwards.
How to work with us
If your organisation is interested in sponsored content that meets these standards, the place to start is our Advertise page or a message to editorial@2forksevents.com. We are selective, we label everything clearly, and we keep editorial independent — and within those firm limits, we are glad to work with partners whose offerings genuinely serve people planning and attending events.