Advertising & Sponsorship Disclosure

Updated November 2, 2026.

Maryland Authority may offer advertising and sponsorship through Coastal Authority Group, LLC. A commercial opportunity or proposed placement is not a booked sponsorship. An organization mentioned in a guide or listed in a directory is not a customer or sponsor unless a specific relationship is identified.

Recognizing paid content

Advertising must be recognizable before a reader clicks through and on the destination page. Paid articles and promotional placements should use clear labels such as “Advertisement” or “Paid advertising content,” placed near the headline or message. The advertiser must be identified. A logo, “Featured” tag or vague partnership language alone does not explain that a placement was purchased.

Disclosures must remain readable on small screens and accompany the content when it is shared or republished. If an advertiser funds a series without directing its independent editorial content, the disclosure should explain that specific arrangement.

Directory placements and expert contributions

A standard editorial directory reference is not a recommendation, customer review, sponsorship or confirmation that the organization has claimed the page. Paid prominence, when approved, needs a disclosure where that prominence appears.

An expert article should identify the contributor and relevant affiliations. A contributor's expertise, publication approval and permission to use the byline must be established. Payment, free services or another material benefit connected to the piece must be disclosed. An expert title does not turn promotional material into independent reporting.

Editorial responsibility

Advertisers may provide factual information about their own organizations. Buying space does not buy favorable independent coverage, a guaranteed ranking, an endorsement or the suppression of accurate reporting. Commercial claims require support appropriate to the claim and remain subject to editorial acceptance.

Links and inquiries

The current directory and source links are ordinary outbound links. The site does not currently use affiliate purchase links. If a future link earns a commission or another benefit, that relationship must be clearly disclosed before the reader acts on it.

For an advertising inquiry, email info@coastalvirginiaauthority.com or visit Contact. A conversation does not reserve space or create a sponsorship agreement. See the Editorial Standards & Corrections for our publishing standards.