The publishing rule in plain language
A page is published only when it gives the reader a useful result and the claims on the page can be checked.
Three release checks
- Useful: the page solves a real reader task.
- Original: the examples, tools, or analysis add value beyond a generic summary.
- Accurate: facts, clues, answers, and links support what the page says.
Original value before search demand
We choose subjects where we can add a challenge, worked method, practical tool, comparison, or genuinely clearer explanation. Search demand does not justify publishing a thin page. Pages that overlap heavily are consolidated. The problem.so publishing standards explain the reader promise behind those decisions.
Puzzle fairness
The practical checks are documented in how problem.so designs and checks problems.
- Every rule needed for the intended solution is stated or follows from a clearly named convention.
- The answer is tested against every clue.
- Alternate valid answers are acknowledged rather than hidden.
- Explanations show the decisive reasoning, not only the reveal.
- Difficulty labels describe the expected reasoning burden and may be revised after feedback.
Facts and sources
General reasoning instruction is checked against the worked example on the page. Time-sensitive or high-stakes claims require authoritative sources. We link to sources that support the nearby claim, and we do not cite a source merely to make a page look researched.
AI-assisted production
Software and generative tools may help with drafting, code, illustrations, or quality checks. They do not replace editorial responsibility. Content is reviewed for factual support, internal consistency, originality, useful scope, and accidental repetition before publication. AI assistance is never presented as personal testing or human expertise.
Search integrity and automated publishing
We do not create pages to capture minor keyword, location, age, or question variations. Imported articles are held when the subject falls outside problem solving, the title is not supported by the body, paragraphs repeat, wording appears unnaturally repetitive, or commercial links are not properly qualified. Passing an automated check does not guarantee publication. An editor must still confirm that the page gives a reader a distinct result worth visiting directly.
Reasons we consolidate or reject a page
- Another page already satisfies the same task.
- The article summarizes common advice without a worked method, original example, useful tool, or verifiable insight.
- The page was written mainly to attract a search variation instead of helping the intended audience.
- The content is syndicated, lightly rewritten, or placed by a third party without meaningful editorial contribution.
Commercial content and advertising
Advertising must remain visually distinct from editorial content and must not obstruct a challenge, answer, or navigation control. Paid relationships will be disclosed. We do not publish fake reviews or rankings assembled to route visitors toward commissions.
Corrections and updates
Material corrections update the page date. Minor typographic edits do not. We welcome reproducible reports of ambiguous wording, counterexamples, broken tools, or claims unsupported by the cited source through the problem.so contact page.
Site policies
The privacy policy explains how service data and messages are handled. The terms of use describe permitted use of the puzzles, guides, tools, and collections.