How we rate and review businesses
An independent, repeatable, and transparent process — the same five-pillar evaluation applied to every business we list.
- 1
Market Identification & Business Discovery
Using search-demand data, we identify the service categories and metro areas that need better coverage, then compile candidate lists from public sources.
- 2
Data Collection & Verification
We gather information across reviews, licensing status, website quality, and service areas — and independently verify it before anything is scored.
- 3
Scoring & Ranking
Each business receives a composite score based on the five pillars, with category-specific weighting that reflects what matters most in that industry.
- 4
Listing Creation & Publication
Verified information is compiled into listings organized by service and location, written to be useful at the moment a customer needs to decide.
- 5
Ongoing Monitoring & Re-Evaluation
We track changes in reviews, licensing, and the other criteria on a rolling basis. Businesses that fall below the minimum threshold are removed.
What we do not do
Our editorial rankings are scored on the published five-pillar methodology and can't be bought. Some listings are sponsored — paid placements that are always clearly labeled and kept separate from editorial scoring.
Pillar weightings adjust by industry, based on consumer priorities and real search behavior — what matters when hiring a locksmith differs from choosing an employment lawyer. See the criteria in detail on What Makes a Business Highly Rated.