How to write a great GroundInk story

Use this checklist to turn raw notes into a clear, credible, and compelling article.

Best practices checklist

Add strong media

Upload images that prove the story (receipts, screenshots, locations) and optionally add a video link for source context.

Write a clear headline

Use a number, a place, and a concrete claim. Avoid vague words like “shocking” or “exposed”.

Deck (summary)

1–2 sentences that answer: What happened, to whom, where, and why it matters?

Hook (intro)

2–3 sentences that pull the reader in. Start with the most specific, surprising fact.

Pull quote

Add one powerful quote from a victim, expert, or official message that captures the core truth.

Main content (200–250 words)

Aim for 200–250 words. Use short paragraphs, name your evidence, and state what you verified.

What we consider a “good” article
  • Has images (evidence) and an optional video link
  • Includes deck + hook + pull quote
  • Main story is 200–250 words, structured and specific
  • Dates, places, numbers, and named entities are included where relevant

Sample: what a strong article looks like

This is a sample layout. Your article will automatically format headings and pull quotes when you use the editor tools.

Ground ReportBengaluru · 8 May 2026 · 4 min read

₹2,500 taken from 3,200 applicants for a “job portal” that never delivered interviews

Victims across three cities show receipts and chats. The company’s address leads to an empty office, while helpline numbers go silent.

Media included
  • 2–5 evidence photos (receipts, screenshots, on-ground images)
  • Optional video link (YouTube/Instagram) for source context

A WhatsApp message promised “guaranteed placement” for a ₹2,500 registration fee. Within 48 hours, the same recruiters blocked calls and deleted chat history. We traced payments, addresses, and recorded testimonies to find where the money went.

“They asked for one more payment for ‘document verification’. The moment I refused, the number disappeared.”

Over the past month, at least 3,200 applicants shared payment screenshots and identical scripts used by callers claiming to represent a hiring partner. The callers insisted applicants act “within 10 minutes” and routed them to UPI IDs that changed frequently. We verified 14 receipts and found the beneficiary names matched a small set of linked accounts.

The company’s website lists an address in central Bengaluru, but on visiting, we found a locked office with a “to let” board. Neighbours said the tenant moved out weeks ago. A director name appears in a separate consumer complaint filed in 2024 for similar “training fees”. Police in two districts confirmed they have received preliminary complaints, but no FIR has been registered yet.

If you paid a registration fee, preserve receipts, call logs, and chat backups. File a written complaint at your local station and send copies to the cybercrime portal. Victims we interviewed said refunds were offered only after public escalation—suggesting a clear pressure point.

HookDeckPull quoteImagesVideo link