Advertising Policy

Advertising Policy

Why we accept advertising

The Historical Jesus is a free educational website published by VSC Technology Services ("VSC", "we", "us"). Carefully chosen advertising helps cover the cost of research, hosting, and new content. Our first commitment is to our readers. The site exists to present the historical and archaeological evidence honestly, and no advertisement may compromise that.

Who may advertise

We welcome advertisers whose products or services fit the educational purpose of this site, including:

• Christian universities, colleges, and seminaries
• Bible schools, Bible courses, and Bible study programs
• Study Bibles, Bible software, and Bible websites or apps
• Christian and academic publishers, bookstores, and authors
• Museums, exhibitions, and archaeology or history magazines
• Holy Land, biblical archaeology, and educational tour operators
• Churches, ministries, and Christian nonprofit organizations
• Christian media, such as radio, podcasts, documentaries, and conferences
• Other reputable businesses that, in our judgment, are a good fit for our readers

What we do not accept

We will not accept advertising for, or from businesses mainly involved in:

• Political candidates, parties, campaigns, or political issue advocacy
• Gambling, lotteries, or sweepstakes
• Alcohol, tobacco, vaping, cannabis, or recreational drugs
• Cryptocurrency, trading, "get rich quick" schemes, or high-interest lending
• Health "cures," miracle products, or unproven medical or supplement claims
• Adult content, dating, or relationship services
• Weapons and ammunition
• Occult or psychic services
• Products or claims that contradict the evidence presented on this site, such as advertising an unverified relic or a claimed discovery of the Ark of the Covenant as fact
• Content that attacks or demeans any faith, denomination, ethnic group, or person
• Anything false, misleading, illegal, or that we believe would harm our readers or our reputation

We may decline any advertisement for any reason. We do not have to explain our decision.

How ads appear

• Ads appear only in the Sponsors & Partners section. They are never placed inside the evidence entries, news, or videos.
• Every ad is clearly labeled "Ad", "Sponsor", or "Affiliate link".
• An ad consists of a logo or image, a name, a short description, and a link to the advertiser's website.
• No pop-ups, auto-playing video or audio, animations, or tracking code. We host ad images ourselves, and advertisers may not add scripts, pixels, or cookies to our site.
• Links to advertisers are marked as sponsored links for search engines, as search engine guidelines require.

Editorial independence

Advertisers and sponsors have no influence over the content of this site. Buying an ad does not buy coverage, favorable mention, a change to any entry or label, or removal of any content. If an advertiser's product or field is discussed on the site, it is treated the same as anything else.

Reader privacy

We do not sell, rent, or share our visitors' personal information with advertisers. We may share overall, anonymous statistics, such as monthly visitor counts, so advertisers can judge the value of an ad.

How to advertise

Use the "Advertise with us" form on the main page. Tell us about your organization and the ad you have in mind. We review every request and reply by email with availability and pricing.

Advertiser Terms & Conditions

These terms ("Terms") apply to every advertisement, sponsorship, or affiliate placement ("Ad") on The Historical Jesus website (the "Site"), published by VSC Technology Services ("VSC"). The person or organization placing the Ad is the "Advertiser."

1. Acceptance

   By submitting an advertising request, paying for an Ad, or allowing an Ad to run, the Advertiser agrees to these Terms and to the Advertising Policy above. If a separate written agreement is signed, it takes precedence where it differs from these Terms.

2. Review and approval

   All Ads are subject to VSC's review and approval before publication and at any time while they run. VSC may request changes to an Ad, or decline it, at its sole discretion.

3. Ad format

   Unless otherwise agreed in writing, an Ad consists of:

   • a logo or image (PNG, JPG, or SVG, up to 200 KB)
   • a name (up to 40 characters)
   • a description (up to 100 characters)
   • one secure (https) link

   VSC may resize or crop images to fit the Site's design, and decides where the Ad appears within the Sponsors & Partners section.

4. Advertiser's promises

   The Advertiser confirms that:

   • it has all rights needed to use every name, logo, image, and claim in the Ad
   • the Ad and the linked website are truthful, lawful, and free of malware
   • the Ad does not infringe anyone's trademark, copyright, privacy, or other rights
   • it will tell VSC promptly if the linked website or the advertised offer changes in a way that affects the Ad

5. Fees and payment

   Fees, the placement, and the run dates are agreed by email or invoice before the Ad is published. Fees are payable in advance, in U.S. dollars, through the payment method stated on the invoice. An Ad is published only after payment is received. Unless otherwise agreed, Ads run in monthly periods.

6. Term and renewal

   An Ad runs for the period that was paid for. VSC will contact the Advertiser before the period ends about renewal. Ads do not renew automatically unless both parties agree. VSC may change its prices for future periods with at least 30 days' notice.

7. Removal and cancellation

   • VSC may remove an Ad immediately if it, or the linked website, breaks these Terms or the Advertising Policy, or if VSC reasonably believes the Ad could harm the Site's readers or reputation.
   • The Advertiser may cancel an Ad at any time by email.
   • VSC may end any Ad for any other reason with 7 days' notice by email.

8. Refunds

   • If VSC ends an Ad for a reason other than the Advertiser's breach, VSC will refund the unused part of the fee, in proportion to the days remaining.
   • No refund is due when an Ad is removed because the Advertiser broke these Terms, or when the Advertiser cancels early.
   • Short interruptions caused by maintenance, hosting outages, or events beyond VSC's control do not entitle the Advertiser to a refund. If the Site is unavailable for more than 3 days in a row, VSC will extend the Ad's run by the same amount of time.

9. No guaranteed results

   VSC does not guarantee any number of visitors, clicks, sales, or other results. Any visitor statistics VSC shares are estimates provided for information only.

10. No endorsement

    Running an Ad does not mean that VSC endorses the Advertiser or its products, services, beliefs, or claims. The Advertiser may not state or suggest that VSC or the Site endorses it without VSC's written permission.

11. Permission to display

    The Advertiser gives VSC a non-exclusive, royalty-free permission to display, resize, and host the Ad materials on the Site for the run of the Ad. VSC may also mention the Advertiser by name as a past or current advertiser. Each party keeps ownership of its own names, logos, and content.

12. Indemnity

    The Advertiser will defend and hold harmless VSC, its owner, and its contributors from any claims, losses, or costs, including reasonable legal fees, that arise from the Ad, the linked website, the Advertiser's products or services, or the Advertiser's breach of these Terms.

13. Limitation of liability

    To the fullest extent the law allows, VSC's total liability relating to any Ad is limited to the amount the Advertiser paid for that Ad. VSC is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, or for lost profits.

14. Changes to these Terms

    VSC may update these Terms by posting a new version on this page. Changes apply to new Ads and to renewals. An Ad that is already paid for runs under the Terms in effect when it was paid for.

15. General

    • These Terms are governed by the laws of the state in which VSC Technology Services is located, in the United States.
    • If any part of these Terms cannot be enforced, the rest remains in effect.
    • These Terms, the Advertising Policy, and any invoice or written agreement for the Ad are the entire agreement between VSC and the Advertiser about the Ad.

Questions about advertising? Use the "Advertise with us" form on the main page.