Pen Policy
Credibility, slowly earned.
The trust score is the spine of Pen Policy. It is how we keep the conversation serious — and how readers know whose work to weigh more carefully.
A single number, openly explained.
Not a black box. Every factor below is visible on every profile.
What we measure
Body of work
Number of essays published, depth of research, citation practice.
Structured reactions
Insightful, Useful, Well-Researched, and Thought-Provoking weigh more than raw counts.
Peer endorsement
Engagement from other high-trust writers carries more weight.
Moderation signals
A low rate of substantiated reports keeps your score healthy.
Trust tiers
95· Respected Analyst
Respected Analyst
90–100 · A distinguished body of cited work and consistent peer respect.
80· Trusted Contributor
Trusted Contributor
70–89 · A serious record of essays and structured engagement.
55· Emerging Voice
Emerging Voice
40–69 · A growing track record of thoughtful publishing.
20· New Contributor
New Contributor
0–39 · New to the platform — building a reputation through the work.
How points are awarded
Each published article+10
Completed profile (name, bio, expertise)+5
Insightful reaction received+3
Useful reaction received+2
Content reported as spam (substantiated)−5
What we don't measure
- — Raw view counts.
- — Follower growth velocity.
- — Outrage, hot takes, or virality.
Vanity metrics make platforms loud. We are trying to make this one quiet.