EDITORIAL STANDARD
Every RealWell piece is graded against a five-part rubric called SPARK: science-backed, practical, accessible, reliable, and kind.
SPARK, UNPACKED
Five principles. One editorial bar.
SPARK isn’t just a checklist.
It’s the working rubric that shapes what we publish, how we source it, and the way we translate it for real life.
What it means: Grounded in peer-reviewed research and expert-validated evidence. Sources are linked in the piece. Strength of evidence is named on every claim.
What it doesn’t look like: Unfounded product claims dressed up as science. Correlational claims presented as causal. Speculation without a source.
What it means: Actionable habits that fit real life. Every piece names what a reader can actually do, in their actual week, with their actual constraints.
What it doesn’t look like: “Just try harder” advice. Perfectionist protocols that assume unlimited time and money. Recommendations that only work in a lab.
What it means: Written for real women, not medical journals. Clear language. Warm tone. Judgment-free. Terminology explained the first time it appears.
What it doesn’t look like: Jargon that gatekeeps. Clinical detachment. Assumptions about what the reader already knows.
What it means: No paid endorsements shaping the content. No unvetted supplements. Every partner passes a documented review. Editorial independence protected at every level.
What it doesn’t look like: Sponsored content dressed up as editorial. Affiliate revenue driving what gets covered. Brand relationships that trade access for coverage.
What it means: Progress over perfection. Community over competition. Reader wellbeing at the center. No fear tactics. No shaming.
What it doesn’t look like: Before-and-after narratives. Body-shaming disguised as health. Fear-based messaging. Wellness content that leaves the reader feeling worse.
For how we source and correct our work, see Journalistic Integrity.