Every explainer on distill.md is written to a specific standard. This page describes what that standard is and how we hold ourselves to it.
How we choose topics
We publish explainers on systems that people interact with, depend on, or hear about constantly but rarely fully understand. The two tests we apply to every topic:
- Reader value: Does understanding this actually help someone? Does it change how they make decisions, interpret news, or see the world around them?
- Clarity potential: Can the core of this be explained clearly, without requiring a degree to follow? Some topics are genuinely inaccessible. Most aren't.
We avoid topics that are either too narrow to be broadly useful or too unstable (fast-moving news, specific current events) to explain accurately without constant updates.
Research standards
Every claim that can be sourced is sourced. We rely on:
- Primary sources where available: academic papers, official documentation, government data, technical specifications
- Secondary sources from established publications when summarising complex research
- Statistics linked directly to their original source, not to intermediary summaries
We don't publish claims we can't verify. If something is genuinely contested in the scientific or expert community, we say so rather than picking a side for narrative convenience.
Accuracy and updates
Every article shows its publication date and, where relevant, a "last updated" date. When we revise an article to correct an error or reflect new information, we update that date and note what changed.
We don't quietly edit articles to remove mistakes. If we got something wrong, we correct it visibly. That's the only way to maintain credibility with readers who've already seen the original.
A note on AI tooling
We use AI tools as part of our research and drafting process. Every article is reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by a human before publication. AI-generated text is a starting point, never a final product. Any factual claims made by AI tools are independently verified against primary sources before they appear in an article.
Report an error
If you find a factual error, an outdated claim, or something that's misleading, tell us. We take corrections seriously and respond to every substantive report.
Email editorial@distill.md with the article title, the specific claim you believe is wrong, and any sources you think we should consult. We'll review it and respond within five business days.