Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Signal Brief. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our support team.

Getting Started

How does the 14-day free trial work?

Your free trial starts immediately when you sign up with a credit card. You'll receive the full daily brief for 14 days at no charge. After 14 days, your subscription automatically begins at $9/month (or $60/year for annual) unless you cancel. We'll email you 2 days before your trial ends to remind you. Cancel anytime before day 14 with one click from your dashboard - no phone calls, no hassle.

What time does the brief arrive?

Choose your delivery time during signup: 4:30 AM, 5:30 AM, or 6:30 AM Pacific Time. Your brief arrives every morning at your selected time. You can change your delivery time anytime in your dashboard.

Do I need to download an app?

No! Signal Brief is delivered directly to your email inbox. Read it in your favorite email client—no app downloads, no new passwords to remember, no extra steps.

Can I see a sample brief before signing up?

Absolutely! View our brief from today to see exactly what you'll receive. No email required, no signup needed. This is what you'll get every morning.

How It Works

How do you select which stories to include?

Our AI analyzes 60+ trusted news sources every morning, looking for stories that meet three criteria: significance (how many people are affected), verification (multiple credible sources), and novelty (genuinely new information). We prioritize stories covered by multiple sources to ensure accuracy.

How do you avoid bias?

Three ways: First, we aggregate from sources across the political spectrum. Second, our AI is trained to extract facts from opinion. Third, we penalize single-source stories from partisan outlets. We're not perfect, but our multi-source approach significantly reduces bias compared to reading any single news source.

What's the difference between Signal Brief and other news aggregators?

Most aggregators just collect links. We actually read and synthesize the content, extracting key facts and presenting them neutrally. Plus, we're 100% reader-funded with no ads, so we optimize for clarity, not clicks.

Subscription & Billing

How much does Signal Brief cost?

After your free trial, Signal Brief costs $9/month or $60/year (that's 33% off—just $5/month). We believe quality journalism is worth less than your daily coffee, and our readers agree.

Can I cancel anytime?

Absolutely. Cancel anytime from your dashboard with one click. Your subscription will remain active until the end of your current billing period, then stop. No exit surveys, no retention calls, no guilt trips.

Do you offer refunds?

Yes! If you're not satisfied within the first 30 days of your initial paid subscription, we'll provide a full refund—no questions asked. Just email support@signalbrief.org or reply to any brief email. We believe in earning your subscription every single day.

Why don't you have ads?

Advertising creates perverse incentives. When news is ad-funded, publishers optimize for engagement (clicks, time on site, shares) rather than truth. By being 100% reader-funded, we can focus solely on delivering valuable, accurate information. Our only customer is you.

Content & Coverage

What topics do you cover?

We organize news into five sections:

  • Global: International affairs and world events
  • US: American politics, policy, and national news
  • Business: Markets, economics, and corporate news
  • Tech: Technology, science, and innovation
  • Life: Culture, health, and human interest

Each section includes 3 carefully selected stories daily.

Which news sources do you use?

We aggregate from 60+ sources including major outlets like Reuters, AP, Bloomberg, WSJ, NYT, WaPo, Fox, CNN, BBC, and many others. We intentionally include sources from across the political spectrum to minimize bias. Every story includes links to the original sources.

Can I customize which sections I receive?

Currently, all subscribers receive all five sections to ensure you don't miss important cross-cutting stories. We're considering customization options for the future based on reader feedback.

How do I read past briefs?

Past briefs are available in your dashboard (coming soon). You can also save briefs in your email client. We're working on a searchable archive feature for 2025.

Privacy & Security

What data do you collect?

We collect only what's necessary: your email (for delivery), payment info (handled by Stripe/Paddle—we never see your card number), and basic usage data (open rates to improve the service). We never sell your data, we have no advertising partners, and we use minimal cookies. Read our full Privacy Policy for details.

How do I access my account without a password?

We use "magic links" for authentication. When you need to access your dashboard, enter your email and we'll send you a secure login link. It's actually more secure than passwords (can't be guessed or reused) and you'll never forget it.

Is my payment information secure?

Yes. We use Stripe and Paddle, industry-leading payment processors trusted by millions of businesses. Your card details are encrypted and handled entirely by them—we never see or store your full card number.

Technical Questions

What if the email goes to spam?

First, add support@signalbrief.org to your contacts. Then check your spam folder and mark our email as "not spam." Gmail users: drag the email to your Primary tab. If you're still having issues, email us and we'll help troubleshoot.

Can I forward the brief to others?

You can share individual stories, but please don't systematically forward entire briefs. We're a small, reader-funded operation and every subscription helps us stay independent. Encourage friends to start their own free trial!

Do you have an API?

Not yet, but it's on our roadmap. If you're interested in programmatic access for research or integration purposes, email us at support@signalbrief.org to discuss.

What happens if you make a mistake?

We correct errors immediately and notify affected readers. Corrections are noted in the next day's brief. Our multi-source approach significantly reduces errors, but we're human (and our AI isn't perfect). Transparency about mistakes is part of building trust.

Still Have Questions?

We're here to help. Reach out to our support team and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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