Start with the source promise
Write down what the ad promises, who it is for and which proof supports the promise. A translation can be grammatically correct while changing the strength of a claim or the meaning of an offer.
Keep a record of the approved source version. If the original changes during localization, check whether the local versions need to change too.
Use a UK–France review sheet
Download the localization checklist. The example below is a fictional editorial exercise, not a claim about either market’s preferences.
| Check | UK version | France version |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Review the English claim and idiom | Review the French meaning, not only literal wording |
| Offer | Confirm actual local price, currency and terms | Confirm actual local price, currency and terms |
| Availability | Verify where the product can be delivered | Verify where the product can be delivered |
| Proof | Confirm the evidence supports the claim here | Check whether the same evidence and wording apply |
| Design | Inspect subtitle length and safe areas | Inspect expanded text and line breaks |
| Destination | Check the linked page and checkout context | Check the matching localized destination |
Do not simply convert a price and assume it becomes the local offer. Ask the business owner for the actual terms. Legal or regulated claims require the appropriate local review; this checklist is not a legal clearance.
Review words in the creative
A sentence that fits in a script may not fit on screen. Watch the export with captions and voiceover together. Check line breaks, accents, truncation, pronunciation and timing. A subtitle can be accurate but unreadable during a fast cut.
Use neutral, simple language when a clever idiom does not travel. Preserve the intended tone without forcing a literal joke that changes the meaning.
Do not turn nationality into a persona
A “French buyer” or “British buyer” label does not capture category knowledge, use case, budget, alternatives or purchase constraints. Define those dimensions from evidence where available. Treat any generated scenario as an exploration of assumptions.
Synthetic interviews can reveal a question to investigate, but cannot establish what a national population thinks. Use relevant human research when the decision depends on a real cultural or customer response.
Compare meaning before comparing scores
Check whether both versions actually communicate the same offer. If one adds a discount, changes proof or removes a condition, a score difference is not a clean translation comparison.
For diagnostic review, keep the creative versions and input contexts recorded. Interpret any change alongside language, layout and coverage. Do not call a higher score proof that a translation is culturally correct.
Deliver a localized decision
The final review should state what is approved for use, what requires revision and who checked language, offer and production. Approval here is a recorded human responsibility, not something implied by a model score.
Use the revision brief for specific corrections and the six-slide presentation to explain the decision. Book a demo to discuss a review across your intended markets.