Documentation

General FAQ

A comprehensive guide to Validly’s operational standards, content methodology, and technical requirements.

Transparency is the bedrock of our architecture. Below you will find specific details regarding our mission, the rigorous production of our reports, membership structures, and system compatibility.

01 / About Validly

What is Validly's core mission?
Validly exists to provide the infrastructure for verifiable journalism. We are a non-partisan digital archive dedicated to preserving the context of information, ensuring that the "truth" is not just a snapshot of the moment, but a documented, immutable record.
Is Validly an independent entity?
Yes. We are a registered non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) based in Geneva. We do not accept advertising or sponsored content. Our funding comes exclusively from institutional memberships and private philanthropy, ensuring our editorial independence.
How is the platform funded?
We operate on a subscription model. Institutional members (universities, NGOs, and newsrooms) pay annual licensing fees, while individual researchers can subscribe for direct access to our raw data archives.
Architectural detail of a modern library structure

02 / Content Production

Every piece of content on Validly undergoes a multi-stage verification process before publication.

How are articles produced?
Our reports are written by senior analysts, not generalists. Each article follows the "Source-First" protocol: we begin with primary data (court documents, raw video footage, financial disclosures) and build the narrative outward. Every claim must be linked to a verifiable source within our archive.
What is the "Correction Index"?
If we make an error, we do not quietly edit the text. We append a permanent, timestamped correction to the article and update the "Correction Index" in our dashboard. This ensures the history of the article remains transparent and auditable.
Can I cite Validly in academic work?
Absolutely. We provide a standardized citation tool for every article, including DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) for all major reports, ensuring they are treated as stable academic references.

03 / Membership & Billing

Access tiers designed for individuals, researchers, and institutions.

What is the difference between "Observer" and "Analyst" tiers?
Observer ($12/month): Access to the public-facing articles and basic timeline views.
Analyst ($45/month): Includes Observer access plus full API access, raw data downloads (CSV/JSON), and the ability to flag content for review.
How are institutional licenses handled?
Institutional licenses are billed annually and based on a seat-count model. We offer volume discounts for universities and large NGOs. Contact billing@validly.org for a custom quote.
Can I cancel my subscription?
Yes, you can cancel at any time via your dashboard. Your access will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. We do not charge cancellation fees.

04 / Technical Specifications

Validly is built for performance and compatibility across modern web environments.

BROWSER SUPPORT

Modern Standards

We support the latest two major versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported due to security vulnerabilities.

PERFORMANCE

Low-Latency Access

Our content delivery network (CDN) ensures that the Index loads in under 1.5 seconds globally. We prioritize text rendering to ensure accessibility on slower connections.

API ACCESS

Developer Integration

Analyst members receive API keys allowing for 1,000 requests per hour. Documentation is available in our developer portal for Python and JavaScript integration.

Need Further Clarification?

If your question is not covered above, contact our support team directly.

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