Editorial policy

Reviews and staff picks are written and signed by our editors. A pick carries the name of whoever made it, so you know an opinion is somebody's, not an algorithm's.

Every fact about a shop comes from one of two places, and we always say which:

• As stated by the shop: read on the shop's own delivery, returns, privacy and help pages, with the date we read them.
• Verified by our test order: seen with our own eyes after placing a real order.

We never turn a published policy into a claimed experience, and we never invent testers, results, delivery times or awards.

Staff picks and chart positions are editorial judgements based on those facts. Shop scores follow a published formula; see how we score. Affiliate commission and sponsorship never move a pick, a score or a chart position.

Facts carry the date they were checked. After 90 days they fade on the page and are marked “may have changed” until we check again. Screenshots are reviewed by a person before they go live and recaptured when they get old.

If we get something wrong we fix it, update the checked date, and note significant corrections on the page. Tell us at [email protected] or through the contact form.

Shops we review can ask us to correct a fact or add their response. Send evidence (a link to the updated policy page is ideal) and we'll check it. A shop can't pay to change a verdict.

Frankly, warmly and without shame. We describe toys by body part and use rather than gender, and assume nothing about who you are or who you're with. We swear now and then in verdicts; never in anything about health, safety, money or your rights.