True Motion Auto runs display advertising and select sponsored placements from automotive-relevant brands (manufacturers, insurers, lenders, parts retailers). Ads are always visually separated from editorial content and never influence article content or ratings. We reject ads for unlicensed lenders, unverifiable "guaranteed approval" finance offers, and any claim we can't independently substantiate.
At a glance
| Category | Policy |
|---|---|
| Ad types | Display banners, native placements, and clearly labeled partner content. |
| Separation from editorial | Ads are boxed/labeled and never placed inside body text without a "Sponsored" tag. |
| Prohibited categories | Unlicensed lenders, guaranteed-approval finance claims, counterfeit parts, unverified aftermarket safety claims. |
| Ad review | Every new advertiser is checked against licensing/regulatory status before onboarding. |
| Editorial firewall | Advertising sales staff have no input into article assignments, scoring or recall coverage. |
What we accept
We work with automotive manufacturers, dealership groups, insurers, licensed lenders, parts and accessory retailers, and services readers are actually likely to need (roadside assistance, extended warranty providers, EV charging networks). Ads run as display banners, native placements in relevant hubs, or labeled partner content — never as unlabeled editorial.
What we reject
- Lenders that aren't licensed to operate in the region they're targeting.
- "Guaranteed approval" or "no credit check" finance claims we can't verify against actual underwriting practice.
- Aftermarket parts marketed with unverifiable safety claims (e.g. unsubstantiated crash-test or emissions claims).
- Counterfeit or gray-market parts retailers.
- Any ad copy that implies True Motion Auto editorial endorsement it hasn't actually received.
Editorial independence
Advertising sales staff do not have access to the editorial calendar, review scores, or recall/complaint coverage before publication, and cannot request changes to an article in exchange for ad spend. If an advertiser's product is covered negatively in an article — a recall, a poor reliability record, a lawsuit — that coverage runs regardless of the advertiser's spend level, and pulling an ad budget doesn't make negative coverage disappear.
Labeling standards
Every paid placement carries a visible label — "Advertisement," "Sponsored," or "Partner Content" — placed before a reader engages with it, not after. Display ads are visually boxed and set apart from the article's typography so they can't be mistaken for editorial text, in line with FTC native advertising guidance.
Vetting new advertisers
Before onboarding, we check that lenders and insurers hold the licenses required in the markets they target, and we spot-check factual claims in submitted ad creative (interest rates, coverage terms, warranty lengths) against publicly available terms. Ads that fail this check are declined or sent back for revision.
If you see an ad on True Motion Auto that looks misleading or non-compliant, email compliance@truemotionauto.com with a screenshot and the page URL. We investigate every report and can pause a placement while we review it.
Frequently asked questions
Can advertisers influence which cars you review?
How do I know if something is an ad and not an article?
Do you allow crypto or "guaranteed approval" loan ads?
What happens if an advertiser's car gets a recall?
Sources & further reading
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.