Frequently asked questions about subscriptions

If your question is not answered below, feel free to contact us at [email protected] for assistance.

General Information

What are the benefits of becoming a subscriber?

All subscriptions include unlimited access to articles on sfstandard.com and the ability to participate in the comments on articles. Annual subscribers also receive limited-edition merch, a free first month at FITNESS SF, and priority access to Standard events. You can learn more about our subscription here.

How does my subscription support journalism?

Becoming a subscription business ensures our primary goal is to produce great journalism that keeps you informed about what's happening in San Francisco. Subscription revenue funds our news operations.

Subscription Plans

What plans do you offer?

We offer a monthly plan with unlimited access to content for $9/month and an annual plan with additional benefits for $90/year. You can learn more about our subscription here.

Do you offer any discounts for seniors, students, or teachers?

No, we don't offer any of these discounts.

Is there a family plan?

Not at this time.

Are there any discounts for long-term subscriptions?

We offer an annual subscription plan that costs $90/year, a savings of $18/year compared to paying monthly.

Can I change my subscription plan later?

You can use your account management dashboard to upgrade from a monthly plan to an annual plan. If you want to downgrade from annual to monthly, contact us at [email protected].

Do you offer a trial period?

You can read a few articles for free each month. To read unlimited articles, you need to be a paying subscriber. We do not offer a trial subscription.

Can I gift a subscription to someone else?

Yes. You can purchase a 1-year subscription as a gift at sfstandard.com/annual-gift-subscription.

How do I get a subscription for my company or organization?

We offer group subscription for large groups or teams. Group subscribers get unlimited access to content on our site.

You can purchase a group subscription online at sfstandard.com/pricing/group — just select the number of seats you need, create or sign into an account for the group account manager, and complete payment using a credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or bank transfer. Once your payment is complete, you can invite users to your group.

If your group is particularly large (more than 100 people) or you need to pay using a paper check, please email us at [email protected] to discuss your options.

Merch

What kind of merchandise will I receive as a subscriber?

Annual subscribers will receive a limited-edition tote. Merch can only be shipped in the US.

When will I receive my tote bag?

We work with our production and delivery partners to ship tote bags to subscribers roughly once a month. When your tote is mailed to you, you will receive an email from our delivery partner with a tracking number.

Why have I not received my tote bag yet?

First, make sure you have provided your shipping address and made a tote selection. If you didn't do this after purchasing your subscription, you can add it later in your account settings.

How do I update my shipping address?

You can update your shipping address in your account settings.

Do you ship merchandise internationally?

No, we do not ship merchandise internationally. Subscribers with an international billing or shipping address are not eligible to receive merch.

How can I track the shipment of my merchandise?

When your bag is mailed to you, you will receive an email from our delivery partner with a tracking number.

What should I do if my merchandise arrives damaged or is the wrong item?

Email us at [email protected] so we can assist you.

Can I opt out of receiving merchandise?

Yes. You are not required to provide a shipping address, and you can also explicitly specify you do not want a tote bag while purchasing your subscription or at any time by clicking "Select a tote" in account settings.

What happens if I cancel my subscription before the merchandise is delivered?

If your subscription is still active when we process a shipment, your tote bag will still be shipped to you. If your subscription is no longer active, you may not receive the tote bag.

Can I buy the tote bag if I'm not a subscriber?

No, the limited-edition tote bag is only available to annual subscribers.

Access and Features

Will I have unlimited access to all articles as a subscriber?

Yes, subscribers get unlimited access to all content.

Are some articles or features only available to subscribers?

Yes, some articles or features may be available only to subscribers. This includes some content, events, and other benefits.

Do subscribers get access to newsletters, podcasts, or exclusive events?

You can learn more about the benefits of our subscription here.

How does the FITNESS SF benefit work?

After you purchase your annual subscription to The Standard, you can show your receipt at FITNESS SF to get the first month of a FITNESS SF membership for free.

If you're already a FITNESS SF member, you may give your free first month to a friend or family member. The discount cannot be applied to an existing FITNESS SF membership.

Can I access my subscription on multiple devices?

Yes. You can sign into your account on sfstandard.com on multiple devices to access content and benefits.

Account Management

How do I create an account?

To become a subscriber, you can click the "Subscribe" button on our website. You'll be asked to create an account in the process of signing up. You can learn more about the benefits of our subscription here.

What should I do if I can't log in?

Try to remember which method you used to create your account. It's possible you may have used Sign In with Google or Sign In with Apple, in which case you'll need to use the same option when you sign in.

If you created a password for your account, you can use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen to reset your password if you've forgotten or lost it.

If you're still having trouble, contact us at [email protected] for further assistance.

How do I reset my password?

You can use the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in screen to reset your password if you've forgotten or lost it. If that doesn't work, contact us at [email protected] for further assistance.

How do I change the email address associated with my account?

If you use Sign In with Google or Sign In with Apple to log into your account, we are unable to change the email address associated with your account. If you no longer have access to your Google or Apple account, contact us at [email protected] for assistance.

If you sign into your account using a password, contact us at [email protected] for assistance changing your email address.

Can I pause my subscription temporarily?

We do not allow pausing subscriptions at this time. You can cancel a subscription in the account management dashboard.

How do I update my payment information?

You can update your payment information in the account management dashboard. The new payment method will be applied to future charges on your subscription plan.

Payment and Billing

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards. You can also pay using Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Will I be charged automatically for renewals?

Yes. All subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel.

How can I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel your subscription on the account management dashboard. If you need further assistance, email us at [email protected].

Do you offer refunds if I cancel my subscription early?

Refunds are not available. The San Francisco Standard complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing refund policies.

Miscellaneous

How can I provide feedback about articles or the site?

You can contact the newsroom at [email protected] or report an error that needs to be corrected at [email protected]. If you're having a problem using the website, email [email protected].