These editorial guidelines define how content is planned, written, edited, and published on hulako.co.uk so that every article feels consistent, trustworthy, and distinctly “Hulako”. They apply to all contributors, whether staff, freelancers, or guest writers. [hulako.co](https://hulako.co.uk/home/)
Before going into detail: if there is anything you disagree with or want to slant differently for Hulako, say so and these can be tuned.
***
## 1. Brand, Audience, and Mission
– Hulako is a home for football and wider sports coverage: news, stats, analysis, and opinion. [hulako.co](https://hulako.co.uk/page/2/)
– Primary audience: global football fans who follow major European leagues, international tournaments, and big-name players, with a secondary audience of casual readers who want clear, jargon-light explanations.
– Mission: inform and entertain with accurate, data-aware, easy-to-read content that respects supporters’ passion and intelligence, without clickbait or misinformation. [contenthero.co](https://www.contenthero.co.uk/what-are-editorial-guidelines-do-you-need-them/)
Each piece should answer: “Why would a football fan care about this now?”
***
## 2. Content Types and Scope
Allowed / encouraged content types:
– Match previews, reports, and reactions
– Tactical and data-led analysis (xG, pressing, shape, etc.)
– Player and team profiles, transfer analysis
– Historical retrospectives and “legend” stories
– Opinion and editorials (clearly marked)
– Guides and explainers (competition formats, rules, VAR, offside, etc.)
Out of scope or restricted:
– Purely promotional pieces for betting, casinos, or products without clear editorial value
– Content that reads like advertising rather than editorial (if a piece is sponsored, it must be labelled)
– Non-sport topics unless there is a clear and strong sports angle
***
## 3. Core Editorial Standards
### Accuracy and Verification
– Always verify facts (scores, dates, stats, quotes, transfers) against at least one reliable source such as official league sites, clubs, or reputable data providers. [contenthero.co](https://www.contenthero.co.uk/what-are-editorial-guidelines-do-you-need-them/)
– Use current season stats where relevant and specify the competition and season (“Premier League 2025–26”).
– If information is unconfirmed (rumours, early reports), label it clearly as “reports”, “linked with”, or “according to…”, and avoid stating speculation as fact.
### Fairness and Balance
– Represent teams, players, and managers fairly; allow for criticism but avoid insults, mockery, or personal attacks.
– When stating strong opinions, support them with evidence: stats, tactical examples, or historical context.
### Independence
– Editorial decisions (what to cover, how to angle it, what headline to use) are made for audience value, not to favour particular clubs, agencies, sponsors, or partners. [contenthero.co](https://www.contenthero.co.uk/what-are-editorial-guidelines-do-you-need-them/)
– Any commercial relationships (sponsored posts, affiliate links, supported trips) must be disclosed on the page.
***
## 4. Tone of Voice and Style
### Tone
– Conversational, confident, and football-savvy, without being arrogant or gatekeeping.
– Write like a knowledgeable friend who can explain tactics and stats to an informed fan, not like a formal academic paper.
– Avoid clickbait or exaggerated claims (“the greatest ever” for every story); earn attention with substance.
### Language
– Use UK English spelling (favour, centre, defence).
– Prefer active voice: “Arsenal dominated the first half” rather than “The first half was dominated by Arsenal”. [contenthero.co](https://www.contenthero.co.uk/what-are-editorial-guidelines-do-you-need-them/)
– Avoid unnecessary jargon; when using terms like “half-space” or “low block”, briefly explain them on first use in a beginner-friendly piece.
### Objectivity vs Opinion
– News, reports, and explainers should be written in a neutral, factual tone.
– Opinions and editorials should be clearly signposted (e.g., “Opinion”, “Analysis”) in headers and, where appropriate, in the intro.
***
## 5. Structure, Formatting, and Length
### General Structure
Most articles should follow:
1. Clear headline that matches the content.
2. Short intro (1–3 sentences) that explains what the piece is about and why it matters now.
3. Body divided into short sections with subheadings (e.g., “First-half dominance”, “Key tactical shift”, “What this means for the title race”).
4. Closing section that sums up key takeaway(s) and, when natural, looks ahead (next fixtures, implications, etc.).
### Formatting Rules
– Use short paragraphs (2–4 sentences) to improve readability, especially on mobile.
– Use subheadings every 3–6 paragraphs.
– Use bullet lists for key stats, timelines, and key points where appropriate.
– Use consistent tense:
– Match reports: past tense.
– Previews: present and future tense.
– Historical pieces: past tense with clear time markers.
### Length
– News briefs: typically 300–600 words.
– Match reports and previews: 600–1,000 words.
– Deep-dive analysis or features: 1,000–2,000 words.
These are guidelines, not hard limits, but every extra sentence must add value.
***
## 6. SEO and Metadata (Lightweight)
SEO should support discoverability without compromising readability. [contentharmony](https://www.contentharmony.com/blog/how-to-create-editorial-guidelines/)
– Choose one primary keyword or phrase closely tied to user intent (e.g., “Arsenal vs Spurs preview”, “Zidane vs modern midfielders”).
– Use the primary phrase naturally in:
– Title
– First 1–2 paragraphs
– At least one subheading
– Meta title and description (configured in WordPress or SEO plugin)
– Include relevant secondary keywords where natural (competition, season, player names).
– Always write for humans first; avoid keyword stuffing.
***
## 7. Use of Stats, Data, and Sources
– When referencing stats (xG, shots, possession), use reliable sources and be consistent across articles. [contenthero.co](https://www.contenthero.co.uk/what-are-editorial-guidelines-do-you-need-them/)
– Always give context: instead of just “xG: 2.1–0.8”, explain what that implies about chances created / conceded.
– When quoting another outlet or analyst, name them and link where appropriate (e.g., “According to Opta…”).
– For historical data, mention the season and competition to avoid confusion.
***
## 8. Images, Media, and Copyright
– Use only images and media that Hulako has the right to publish: licensed, created in-house, or explicitly permissioned.
– Always provide alt text for images that briefly describes what is shown (team, player, moment).
– Do not copy or embed copyrighted text, videos, or images from other outlets without permission; summarise in your own words instead. [contenthero.co](https://www.contenthero.co.uk/what-are-editorial-guidelines-do-you-need-them/)
***
## 9. Legal, Ethical, and Safety Principles
– Avoid defamatory statements; do not present rumours about players’ or staff’s private lives as fact.
– Respect privacy, especially for non-public figures (families, minors, fans caught on camera).
– Avoid discriminatory language or stereotypes related to nationality, race, gender, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
– Be careful with content related to betting:
– No instructions that could be understood as financial or betting advice.
– Where odds or markets are mentioned, include a responsible-gambling note if required by UK regulation. [homekog.co](https://homekog.co.uk/editorial-policy/)
***
## 10. Editorial Process and Roles
– Every article should be reviewed by at least one editor before publication, checking:
– Facts and stats
– Spelling and grammar
– Headline, subheadings, and structure
– Compliance with these guidelines
– Corrections:
– If a factual error is found post-publication, correct it promptly.
– For major changes, add a short note at the end indicating what was corrected and when (“Updated on [date] to correct [detail]”).
– Comments and community:
– If comments or community features are enabled, moderate for abuse, hate speech, spam, and personal attacks, and enforce clear rules.
***
## 11. Updates and Ownership
– These guidelines should be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if Hulako’s scope or strategy changes.
– Final editorial responsibility sits with the editor-in-chief or designated editorial lead, who can interpret these guidelines in edge cases and approve exceptions where justified.
***
To adapt this properly: what kind of Hulako content do you plan to prioritise in the next 3–6 months (live match coverage, data deep-dives, opinion, news aggregation, or something else)?
