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Real-World Content Guidelines

At Udacity, we believe in making learning engaging and relevant. That's why we incorporate real-world examples throughout our content. Here's how they benefit our learners:

  • Clearer Understanding: Real-world examples make complex concepts easier to grasp by connecting them to everyday experiences.
  • Increased Motivation: Learning becomes more interesting when the learner can see how it applies to real-life situations.
  • Sharper Thinking Skills: Real-world examples are rarely simple. They often require learners to analyze situations critically and solve problems creatively.
  • Better Recall: By associating information with real-world experiences, learners are likely to retain knowledge for longer.
  • Meaningful Learning: Real-world examples help learners understand why the topic or skill matters, which makes the learning journey more purposeful.

We want our learners to walk away from our platform with knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in the real world.

Accurate, Unbiased, and Inclusive

Using real-world examples can sometimes get messy. We want to ensure that the examples we use are meaningful and accurate, reflect our values, and are accessible and relevant to all of our learners. Learn more about how we do that:

#2 Using Logos and Trademarks in Content Examples

Using logos, branding, and other trademarks in content examples can enhance the learning experience by making it more engaging, relevant, and memorable.

When is it allowed to use a logo or brand in Udacity Content?

General rule: You can use another’s trademark when you are using it in good faith, and the trademark’s use would not likely cause confusion among consumers.  The function of a trademark is to identify the source of the trademarked goods and services.  Do not use a trademark in any way that would make it unclear to consumers who the source of the goods and services is or what the relationship is between Udacity and the trademark owner. No false association: Do not use another company’s trademark to imply sponsorship, endorsement, affiliation, or approval by the trademark owner. In our industry, failure to follow this rule is perhaps the most likely to expose Udacity to legal risk. Udacity’s content partnerships are intentional and subject to contractual matters. Do not imply a content partnership where none exists between Udacity and the trademark owner. Nominative Fair Use: You can use another’s trademark to name the owner’s goods and services if they could not otherwise be easily identified. Examples permitted under nominative fair use include:

  • If you are teaching learners how to use a software program or tool, you can use the trademarked name of the software in advertising the course and in the course content, as long as there is no false suggestion of sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation with the trademark owner.
  • You can use trademarked brand names to identify products when you compare them to other products.
  • You can use trademarked brand names when you are making statements about the compatibility of certain products with other products.

Seek Legal Review whenever you have questions about using a logo or trademark.

Referencing People, Companies, and Organizations

Including real-world examples in our content connects learning concepts with the world around them, which improves retention and application of theoretical knowledge. When discussing real people, companies, or organizations and using them as examples in our content, care is required to ensure they are portrayed fairly and factually. Such references include:

  • Displaying company logos or branding in videos or images on the classroom page.
  • Referring to companies or individuals by name in videos, text, quizzes, exercises, or projects.
  • Describing historical events as case studies.
  • Describing current events and company technologies to highlight contemporary topics.

If real entities are not portrayed accurately and fairly, this can lead to reputational damage, legal issues, and negative impacts on our brand and partnerships.

Real-World Examples: Dos and Don’ts

✅ Do:

  • State Facts
  • Make a Point
  • Use as an Example
  • Analyze Data
  • Cite Credible Sources

❌ Don’t:

  • State Opinions
  • Editorialize
  • Make it a Distraction
  • Make Predictions
  • Cite Uncredible Sources
  • Fictionalize

Would an alternative work?

Before using names and/or logos, determine whether you actually need them. For example, you could:

  • Create a fictitious name: UdaciCola rather than Coke or Pepsi, UdaciBank rather than Capital One or Wells Fargo, UdaciTech rather than Apple, Microsoft or Google. Our designers can help create a simple logo, too.
  • Use a generic description: a major international hotel chain instead of Hilton or Marriott, a US-based auto company instead of Ford or GM, a multinational food company instead of Nestle or Tyson Foods.