Editorial Standards & Practices

Bolde is a U.S.-based publication founded in 2014 that explores relationships, human behavior, and the patterns that shape everyday life. We publish personal stories, psychology-informed observations, and reflections on love, dating, family, friendship, aging, and personal growth. This page describes the editorial standards that apply to everything we publish.

Our standards

Honesty about what we are. Bolde is a lifestyle publication, not a clinical or journalistic outlet. Our content is intended for reflection, conversation, and connection — not as a substitute for professional advice. We aim to be transparent about how our content is made and where our ideas come from.

Sourcing and research. When we cite psychology, research, or statistics, we draw on published studies, established secondary sources, and the work of recognized experts in psychology, behavioral science, and related fields. We link to sources where relevant and avoid presenting speculation as fact.

Editorial review. Every article on Bolde is reviewed by a human editor before publication. Editors check for accuracy, clarity, tone, and alignment with our values. Sensitive topics — including mental health, abuse, grief, and trauma — receive additional review.

Independence. Editorial decisions are made independently of advertising relationships. Sponsored content, where it appears, is clearly labeled.

Corrections. We correct mistakes openly. Substantive corrections are dated and noted on the article.

How we produce content

Bolde’s editorial team develops content from a range of sources: reader submissions, interviews and conversations with contributors, surveys, observations from our editors, established psychology and behavioral research, and patterns we see in the broader cultural conversation about relationships and modern life.

Stories in our “As Told to Bolde” series are personal narratives developed from these sources. Some are first-person accounts shared directly with us. Others are composites — stories shaped from multiple similar experiences, with names and identifying details changed to protect privacy. We do this both to respect the people who share with us and to surface patterns that resonate widely. The emotional truths in these pieces reflect real human experiences, even when specific stories have been adapted for clarity or anonymity.

If you’d like to share your story with us, you can submit it through our submissions page or email [email protected].

Use of AI tools

We use AI tools as part of our editorial workflow. AI assists with research, source discovery, drafting, structural editing, fact-checking support, and quality audits.

Every article published on Bolde goes through human editorial review. Editorial responsibility for accuracy, tone, and judgment rests with Bolde and its editors — not with any AI tool. AI does not make editorial decisions: it does not choose what we cover, what angle a story takes, what gets published, or how a sensitive topic is handled. Those decisions are made by people.

We do not use AI to fabricate quotes attributed to real, named individuals, invent fake experts, or present AI-generated content as first-hand reporting from a specific real person. Where we publish composite or adapted personal stories, we say so.

Contributors and bylines

Bolde publishes work from staff editors, freelance contributors, and reader submissions. Some articles are published under contributor pen names. Pen names represent real members of our editorial team or freelance contributors writing under chosen names — often to protect the privacy of individuals discussed in personal stories. We do not present fabricated personas or attach false professional credentials to bylines. Where a pen name is in use, articles published under it are produced by our editorial team and editorial responsibility for them rests with Bolde.

Sensitive topics

Bolde frequently covers topics including mental health, relationships, trauma, grief, addiction, and family dynamics. Our content is intended as general information and reflection — not as medical, mental-health, legal, or professional advice. If you’re dealing with a serious situation, please speak with a qualified professional or local support service.

Contact

For corrections, story submissions, or questions about our editorial approach, please contact us here.