Last updated: September 28, 2026
Money decisions deserve accurate information. This page explains how we choose topics, research and check our guides, keep them up to date, correct mistakes and keep advertising separate from content.
What we publish
We publish practical guides about exchange rates, card and transfer fees, gold and silver, and crypto prices, written for readers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Europe. We focus on questions people actually face, such as why a bank's rate differs from the market rate or how to value gold jewelry, and we avoid hype, predictions and "get rich" content.
How our guides are researched
- Primary sources first. We rely on regulators and official bodies (for example the FTC, CFPB, HMRC, the European Commission, the Australian Taxation Office and the Canada Revenue Agency), central banks, card networks, market administrators such as the LBMA and ICE Benchmark Administration, and peer-reviewed research.
- Every fact is checked. Figures, rules and dates are checked against their source before publication, and sources are listed at the end of each article.
- Examples are labeled. Worked examples use clearly marked illustrative prices. For live figures we link to our price tools, which show their data source and update time.
- No invented numbers. We do not make up statistics, quotes, test results or experiences.
How we use technology
Our team uses research and writing tools, including AI-assisted drafting, to help produce and structure articles. Every article is checked against primary sources, edited, and reviewed before it is published, and the PAYATE editorial team is responsible for everything on this site.
Keeping content up to date
Rules, fees and tax thresholds change. Each article shows a "Reviewed" date, and we review guides when a relevant rule changes or a reader reports an issue. Live prices on our tools update automatically; see our methodology.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it. Send the article link, the problem and, if possible, a source through our contact page. We review every report, and when we make a significant correction we update the article and its reviewed date.
Independence and advertising
- PAYATE Rates is funded by advertising, mainly Google AdSense. Ads are labeled "Advertisement" and kept visually separate from our content.
- Advertisers do not choose our topics, review our articles before publication or influence our prices or conclusions.
- We do not currently publish sponsored articles or use affiliate links. If that ever changes, such content will be clearly labeled as sponsored or affiliate.
Not financial advice
Our guides explain how things work so you can make informed decisions. They are not personal financial, investment, tax or legal advice. See our disclaimer.