Terms of Service

Introduction

Welcome to SourceDeck. These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of SourceDeck's platform, which connects expert sources with journalists and media professionals for editorial content opportunities, digital PR services, and link building campaigns (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing, browsing, or otherwise using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

If you disagree with any part of these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

1. Account Registration and Eligibility

To use the Service, you must register for an account. When you register, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information about yourself
• Use your real name (pseudonyms and false identities are prohibited)
• Provide truthful professional credentials, expertise areas, and qualifications
• Maintain and promptly update your profile and account information
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your account credentials
• Accept full responsibility for all activities that occur under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use or security breach
• Not create more than one account or create an account on behalf of another person without permission

You must be at least 16 years old and capable of forming a binding contract to use the Service. By registering, you represent and warrant that you meet these eligibility requirements.

2. Prohibited Activities and Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Service only for lawful, professional purposes in accordance with these Terms. You expressly agree NOT to:

• Use the Service in any way that violates applicable federal, state, local, or international laws
• Create false identities, impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your credentials or expertise
• Upload, post, or transmit content that infringes intellectual property rights or violates third-party rights
• Send spam, unsolicited pitches, or mass communications to journalists or other users
• Scrape, harvest, or collect user data or journalist contact information without authorization
• Rent, lease, loan, trade, sell, or otherwise monetize access to the Service without our written permission
• Use automated systems, bots, or scripts to access the Service or create accounts
• Introduce viruses, malware, or any malicious code that could harm the Service or users
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems, networks, or user accounts
• Harass, threaten, abuse, or harm journalists, sources, or other users
• Engage in link schemes, paid link placements, or black-hat SEO tactics
• Misrepresent campaign results, Domain Ratings, or placement metrics
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers/networks connected to the Service

3. Intellectual Property Rights

SourceDeck's Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content, features, functionality, trademarks, service marks, logos, and branding are owned by SourceDeck and are protected by international copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or exploit any portion of the Service without our express written permission.

User Content and License Grant

You retain ownership of any content you submit, post, or display on the Service, including expert profiles, pitches, articles, quotes, and media contributions ("Your Content").

By submitting Your Content to SourceDeck, you grant us a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid-up, transferable, sublicensable, perpetual, and irrevocable license to use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display, distribute, and create derivative works from Your Content for the following purposes:

• Operating, providing, and improving the Service
• Matching expert sources with journalist requests and media opportunities
• Displaying your profile to journalists, PR professionals, and platform users
• Marketing and promoting the Service (including using your quotes, testimonials, or placements as examples)
• Analytics, research, and service development

You represent and warrant that:

• You own or have the necessary rights, licenses, and permissions to grant us this license
• Your Content does not infringe, violate, or misappropriate any third-party intellectual property rights
• Your Content complies with these Terms and applicable laws
• Your professional credentials and expertise claims are truthful and accurate

4. Link Building Services and Deliverables

SourceDeck provides link building and digital PR services. By purchasing these services, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

Service Scope

• Link building campaigns involve pitching expert sources to journalists for editorial mentions and backlinks
• All links are earned through legitimate editorial placements (no paid links or link schemes)
• We target DR 40-95 publications with a guaranteed average of DR 70+ across all billable links
• Only links from publications with DR 50+ count toward your campaign totals
• Delivery timelines vary based on package size (typically 5-10 months for full delivery)

No Guarantees on Specific Publications

While we target high-authority news publications, we cannot guarantee placement in specific outlets. Editorial decisions are made by journalists and publishers, not by SourceDeck. We guarantee Domain Rating metrics, not specific publication names.

Client Cooperation

Successful campaigns require your cooperation, including:

• Providing accurate expertise information and credentials
• Responding promptly to journalist requests and questions
• Providing quality quotes, insights, and commentary when requested
• Approving or providing feedback on draft pitches in a timely manner

5. Payment Terms and Billing

Pricing and Packages

Pricing for link building packages is displayed on our website. We offer both monthly payment plans and one-time payment options. SourceDeck reserves the right to modify pricing with 30 days' advance notice.

Payment Processing

• Payment is processed through Stripe and other secure third-party payment processors
• Monthly payment plans are charged automatically on the same day each month
• You are responsible for maintaining valid, current payment information
• Failed payments may result in service suspension until payment is received
• All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated

Refund Policy

All payments are final and non-refundable, except as required by applicable law (including EU consumer protection laws). Specifically:

• No refunds will be provided for partial campaign completion, unused credits, or pro-rated service periods
• Refunds are not available if you are dissatisfied with specific publications or Domain Ratings (as long as DR 50+ minimum is met)
• If we fail to deliver the purchased number of qualifying links (DR 50+), we will continue working until delivery is complete or provide a pro-rated refund
• EU residents may have additional rights under European consumer protection laws

Cancellation

For monthly payment plans, you may cancel at any time by contacting us at hello@sourcedeck.io. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. No refunds will be issued for the current billing period.

6. Third-Party Services and Publications

The Service facilitates connections with third-party journalists, media outlets, and publications. SourceDeck does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for:

• Editorial decisions made by journalists or publishers
• Content published by third-party media outlets
• How your quotes, expertise, or contributions are used or edited by journalists
• Links to third-party websites or services
• Privacy policies or practices of third-party publications

You acknowledge and agree that SourceDeck shall not be responsible or liable for any damage, reputational harm, or loss caused by third-party publications, journalist conduct, or editorial content.

7. Disclaimers and Warranties

Service Provided "As Is"

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, including but not limited to:

• Implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement
• Warranties that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• Warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or quality of user profiles, placements, or results
• Warranties about specific publication placements or SEO outcomes

SourceDeck does not guarantee that:

• You will receive a specific number of journalist requests or media opportunities
• Your pitches will be accepted by journalists
• Published links will result in improved search rankings, traffic, or business outcomes
• Links will remain live indefinitely (editorial content may be updated or removed by publishers)

Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SOURCEDECK'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO SOURCEDECK IN THE SIX (6) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO LIABILITY, OR (B) $100 USD.

SourceDeck shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, business opportunities, or goodwill
• Loss of data or information
• SEO penalties, ranking decreases, or algorithm updates
• Reputational harm from published content
• Opportunity costs from unsuccessful campaigns
• Claims by third parties

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain warranties or damages, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you.

8. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SourceDeck and its officers, directors, employees, contractors, agents, partners, and licensors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses, and fees (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to:

• Your access to or use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights
• Your Content, including claims of defamation, misrepresentation, or false credentials
• Your interactions with journalists, media outlets, or other users
• Any damage caused by your account or actions

9. Termination and Suspension

SourceDeck may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to:

• Breach of these Terms
• Providing false information or credentials
• Engaging in prohibited activities or spam
• Non-payment or failed payment
• Requests from law enforcement or government agencies
• Unexpected technical or security issues
• At our sole discretion for platform integrity or safety

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service will immediately cease
• We may delete your account, profile, and associated data
• No refunds will be provided for unused services or remaining payment plan periods
• In-progress link building campaigns may be discontinued

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at hello@sourcedeck.io. Account termination does not excuse payment obligations for services already rendered or purchased.

All provisions of these Terms which by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to: ownership provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnity obligations, limitation of liability, dispute resolution, and these termination provisions.

10. Modifications to Terms

SourceDeck reserves the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time in our sole discretion. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to the new terms taking effect by posting notice on the Service or sending you an email.

By continuing to access or use the Service after revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the new Terms, you must stop using the Service.

11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles.

You and SourceDeck agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Delaware for resolution of any disputes not subject to the arbitration provisions below.

12. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

Informal Dispute Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to try to resolve the dispute informally by contacting us at hello@sourcedeck.io. We will attempt to resolve the dispute informally by contacting you via email. If we cannot resolve the dispute within 60 days, either party may pursue formal dispute resolution.

Binding Arbitration

YOU AND SOURCEDECK AGREE THAT ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICE WILL BE RESOLVED THROUGH BINDING ARBITRATION, RATHER THAN IN COURT, except that either party may bring a claim in small claims court if it qualifies.

The arbitration will be conducted by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitrator's decision will be binding and final, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Class Action Waiver

YOU AND SOURCEDECK AGREE THAT EACH OF US MAY BRING CLAIMS AGAINST THE OTHER ONLY ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS AND NOT AS A PLAINTIFF OR CLASS MEMBER IN ANY PURPORTED CLASS, REPRESENTATIVE, OR COLLECTIVE ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

Unless both you and SourceDeck agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding.

If this class action waiver is found to be unenforceable, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void.

13. Severability and Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision will be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

No waiver of any term of these Terms shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of such term or any other term. SourceDeck's failure to assert any right or provision under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

14. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other agreements expressly incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between you and SourceDeck regarding the Service and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, regarding the Service.