❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Readers write to Frank with questions, and Frank — a filing man by nature — files the common ones here. If your question isn't answered below, write to Frank and it may earn itself a spot on this very page.
1. Is the newsletter really free?
Really and truly. Frank's Five costs nothing, has always cost nothing, and will keep costing nothing. The almanac is kept running by hand-picked sponsors, one per issue, and by Frank's stubbornness, which is renewable.
2. Why Fridays?
Because a good fact deserves a weekend. You read Frank's Five on Friday morning, and by Saturday dinner you're the most interesting person at the table. Frank tested other days. Tuesdays lacked ambition.
3. How does Frank verify a fact?
Every fact needs at least two reputable, independent sources before it gets filed — encyclopedias, academic journals, primary documents, and reference books that have earned their shelf space. "A guy on a forum said so" is not a source. If two solid sources can't be found, the fact goes in the Maybe Pile, where it sits and thinks about what it can't prove.
4. Can I submit a fact?
Please do — reader submissions are some of the best in the library. Send it to frank@franksfacts.com with two sources attached, or use the instructions on the Contact Frank page. Submissions without two sources go straight to the Maybe Pile, which is exactly as glamorous as it sounds.
5. What if a fact turns out to be wrong?
Frank runs corrections at the top of the next issue, in bold, like a gentleman. No burying it in fine print, no quiet edits and hoping nobody noticed. Being wrong happens; being sneaky about it is a choice, and Frank declines to make it.
6. What's in a typical issue?
Five things, every week: the Headliner (the week's most astonishing fact, with the full story), Four More Beauties, the Weekly Debunk, Frank's Stumper, and This Week in History. See six complete sample issues in the archive before you commit so much as an email address.
7. Will you sell or share my email address?
Never. Your address is used to send you the newsletter and for nothing else — not sold, not shared, not "partnered." The whole policy fits on one page: Privacy Policy.
8. How do I unsubscribe?
Every issue has an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Click it once and you're out, immediately, no "are you sure" gauntlet, no guilt trip. Frank will be sorry to see you go and will say nothing further about it.
9. How do sponsorships work?
One sponsor per issue, one tasteful text blurb at the top, written or approved by Frank. No pop-ups, no banners, no tracking pixels. Rates and details on the Sponsor Frank's Facts page — charter sponsorships are open now.
10. Why does the site look like 2003?
Because it was built in 2003, and Frank sees no reason to fix what isn't broken. The site loads fast, works everywhere, and has never once shown you a cookie banner the size of a barn door. They called it outdated; Frank calls it seasoned.
11. Is there really a Frank?
There is exactly one Frank, and you're reading him. Frank answers the mail, checks the facts, and files the files. For the longer story, see Who Is Frank?
12. Can I share your facts?
Facts belong to everybody — that's rather the point of them. Share them at dinner, in class, at trivia night, wherever truth is welcome. If you're republishing Frank's write-ups, a mention of franksfacts.com is appreciated. Details in the Terms.
13. Can I read old issues without subscribing?
Yes. The Issue Archive holds complete back issues, free to read, no email required. Frank believes in letting folks kick the tires.
14. Do you cover [my favorite topic]?
The library currently has seven shelves: animals, science, space, history, food, words, and numbers. New shelves get built when enough verified facts pile up to fill one. Requests welcome at frank@franksfacts.com.
15. I lost a bar bet using one of your facts. What now?
First, Frank is skeptical — the facts are checked twice. Second, read the fine print in the Terms: if you lose a bar bet, Frank owes you a sympathetic ear, not damages. Write in and you'll get the ear, promptly and sincerely.
16. What computer do I need to read this site?
Any of them. The almanac is plain, honest HTML and would probably render on a toaster if the toaster tried. This is by design. See question 10.
Still have a question? Contact Frank — he answers his own mail. ★