This page explains how Headlines UK is funded and what that means for you as a reader. We want you to understand the different ways we generate revenue, how we label commercial content, and – most importantly – how our editorial independence is protected. If you have any questions, please contact us using the details below.
How does Headlines UK make money?
Headlines UK is funded through a mix of display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships and content licensing. These revenue streams allow us to produce independent journalism free of charge for all readers. Full details of our ownership and funding are available on our ownership and funding page.
Display advertising appears as banners, sidebars or in-article placements. We work with third-party ad networks and direct advertisers to serve these ads. Sponsored or commercial material is always clearly labelled – you will see a prominent “Sponsored” or “Paid Content” notice on such articles. Our sponsored content policy sets out the rules that govern these pieces, including the requirement that advertisers have no influence over editorial judgement.
Affiliate links are another common source of revenue. When you click an affiliate link on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We disclose these links clearly, usually with a notice such as “We may earn a commission if you buy through this link”.
What are affiliate links and how do they affect you?
Affiliate links are special URLs that allow us to earn a commission if you buy a product or service after clicking them. They do not change the price you pay, and they never influence the content we publish. Every article that contains affiliate links includes a disclosure at the top or bottom of the piece.
We select affiliate partnerships based on relevance to our audience and our editorial values. The decision to include an affiliate link is made by the editorial team independently of any commercial relationship. If you do not wish to use affiliate links, you can still access the same information by visiting the retailer’s website directly.
How this works in practice
Imagine we publish a product review of a new laptop. The article is written by our business and technology correspondent, Amelia Grant, and fact-checked by Oliver Reeves before publication. The review may contain an affiliate link to an online retailer. At the top of the article you will see a line like: “Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.” If you choose to click that link and make a purchase, Headlines UK receives a small payment from the retailer. This payment does not affect the review’s recommendations or scoring – the review is based on independent testing and editorial judgement alone.
Who owns and operates Headlines UK?
Headlines UK is owned and operated by Sliema Media Limited, a company registered in Malta (Malta Business Registry number C 84217). Our registered office is Level 3, Tower Business Centre, Tower Street, Swatar, Birkirkara BKR 4013, Malta. The editor-in-chief, David Harwood, has ultimate responsibility for editorial standards and publication decisions. He and the entire editorial team work independently of our commercial and funding arrangements. For more background on our structure, please see our ownership and funding page and our about us section.
How can you get in touch about advertising or partnerships?
For advertising inquiries, email advertising@headlinesuk.uk. For partnership proposals, including sponsored content and newsletter sponsorships, write to partnerships@headlinesuk.uk. Our commercial team handles all such enquiries separately from the newsroom. Editorial independence is guaranteed by our internal policies, which are outlined in our editorial policy.
In short
Headlines UK is funded by a range of commercial activities, but those activities never determine what we cover or how we cover it. Every piece of editorial content is approved by a human editor, and any sponsored or affiliate material is clearly labelled. We are committed to being open about how we generate revenue so that you can trust the journalism you read here.