Editorial and review policy

BackupAtlas publishes two kinds of content, and we think readers deserve to know which is which.

Data-generated pages

Generator specification pages, comparison pages, and use-case ranking tables are generated by templates from a structured, hand-curated dataset. They are only as good as the data behind them, which is why the methodology page documents where every field comes from — including the honest caveat that a majority of records currently carry a needs-verification flag pending a second-source check — and why each generator page links to its underlying source. When the dataset is corrected, every generated page updates with it — there are no stale hand-edited copies of specifications.

Written content

Guides and glossary entries are written and reviewed by the site's editors. Writing may be drafted with software assistance, but every claim is checked by a person against the dataset, the cited standards (such as the National Electrical Code), or manufacturer documentation before publication, and each guide lists its sources. Guides carry a visible last-updated date and are re-reviewed when the underlying data or standards change.

How rankings work

"Best generator" rankings are computed from published specifications against each use case's stated requirement — starting surge for a refrigerator, voltage and inlet size for partial-home backup, running watts for whole-house coverage, and so on, all documented on each ranking page. Price, affiliate commission, and brand relationships play no part: the ranking code has no access to affiliate information, and no manufacturer can pay to appear, rank higher, or have a flaw softened.

Independence and monetization

The site may earn revenue from advertising and affiliate links, described in the affiliate disclosure. Monetization never feeds back into rankings or editorial judgments: the ranking code has no access to affiliate data, and editors are not compensated based on what readers buy.

Safety and installation guidance

Guides covering electrical connections, carbon monoxide safety, and fuel handling are written conservatively and are general information, not a substitute for a licensed electrician's, gas fitter's, or HVAC technician's assessment of your specific installation and local code. Where a guide recommends a professional, that recommendation is not qualified by convenience — generator wiring and carbon monoxide risk are not areas where we soften advice for engagement.

Corrections

We correct errors promptly. If you find a specification that disagrees with the manufacturer's current documentation, a sizing recommendation that seems off, or a factual error in a guide, contact us with a link to the authoritative source. Data errors are fixed in the dataset (so the fix propagates to every affected page); guide errors are corrected in place and the guide's updated date is bumped.