Editorial policy

Southern Living Guide aims to make regional subjects clear, accurate and worth spending time with. We distinguish established information from interpretation and make room for uncertainty where the record or the meaning of a custom is not settled.

Accuracy and context

We check names, dates and other factual details against appropriate material before publication, and seek more than one reliable account when a subject calls for it. We avoid presenting a local practice as universal, and make clear when a claim reflects interpretation rather than a settled fact.

Independence

Editorial choices are made for their relevance to readers, not in exchange for payment or favorable coverage. Partnerships do not determine our conclusions, and a commercial relationship does not give a partner control over editorial judgment.

Corrections

If a published piece contains an error, we review the concern and correct confirmed mistakes. Readers can use the Contact page to identify the article and explain the detail in question; significant changes will be made clear in the article.

Partner material and illustrations

Paid placements and other partner material are identified so readers can distinguish them from independent editorial coverage. Some illustrations may be AI-generated; when that applies, the image is labelled accordingly.