Advertising Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This Advertising Policy applies to all advertisements, sponsored content, and brand partnerships displayed across Startup News India's platforms, including our website, newsletters, social media channels, and mobile applications.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that advertisements:

• Are clearly distinguishable from editorial content.
• Reflect our values of accuracy, ethics, and reliability.
• Offer genuine value to our readers and partners.
• Comply with applicable Indian laws, including the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines.

2. Independence and Editorial Integrity

Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and sales departments.

• Advertisers have no influence over the content, tone, or placement of editorial news, reviews, or opinions.
• All decisions regarding coverage, story selection, and newsworthiness are made solely by the editorial team based on journalistic merit.
• Sponsored or branded content will always be labeled distinctly to maintain transparency and trust.

3. Advertisement Identification

All forms of paid content will be clearly marked to help users distinguish between advertising and editorial material.

These labels may include terms such as:

• "Sponsored"
• "Advertisement"
• "Promoted Content"
• "Partner Story"

or any other appropriate disclosure as per ASCI and global digital media standards.

We prohibit any form of "native advertising" or promotional material that could mislead readers into believing it is independent journalism.

4. Acceptable Advertising Standards

We accept advertising from a broad range of sectors that align with our focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, startups, and business growth. However, we reserve the right to refuse or remove any advertisement that:

• Is misleading, false, or deceptive.
• Promotes illegal, harmful, or discriminatory content.
• Violates intellectual property rights.
• Contains offensive, pornographic, or violent material.
• Compromises data privacy, security, or user trust.
• Conflicts with the editorial values or audience interests of Startup News India.

We aim to promote ethical business practices and encourage advertisers to uphold responsible marketing standards.

5. Sponsored Content and Partnerships

Startup News India may collaborate with brands, organizations, or agencies on sponsored articles, videos, or special features. Such partnerships will:

• Always be clearly disclosed.
• Comply with our editorial guidelines.
• Offer genuine insights or educational value relevant to entrepreneurs, investors, and startups.

We do not guarantee positive coverage or outcomes in any form of paid content.

6. Digital Advertising and Data Privacy

Startup News India adheres to India's Information Technology Act and global standards of online privacy.

• Advertising partners may use cookies or tracking technologies to deliver relevant content, but no personally identifiable information is shared without consent.
• Users may manage or opt out of personalized ads as per their preferences.
• We regularly audit ad networks and third-party providers to ensure compliance with privacy and data protection norms.

7. Advertising Placement and Technical Guidelines

We strive to provide a smooth user experience while maintaining high visibility for our advertisers.

• Ads will not disrupt content flow or compromise website usability.
• Pop-ups, auto-play videos with sound, or intrusive formats are not permitted.
• All creatives must adhere to our technical specifications and approval process before publication.

8. Revisions and Updates

This Advertising Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal requirements, industry standards, or internal practices. Any revisions will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.