Category-specific criteria
Every guide publishes its own method. A food ranking may consider the signature dish, consistency, value and accessibility. We may also favour a final ten that gives readers genuinely different choices.
Editorial judgment, clearly labelled
- We do not pretend a universal objective score exists.
- A verdict is distinguished from a factual venue field.
- Caveats belong next to recommendations.
- An editorial score is never marked as an AggregateRating without genuine collected ratings.
Commercial separation
Payment cannot secretly determine editorial rank. Sponsored modules, complimentary visits and affiliate relationships are disclosed and visually separated. An unpaid publisher recommendation is labelled on the article and is not represented as the result of controlled comparative testing when that testing did not occur.
Desk research and first-hand testing
Desk research can compare published services, current identities, public feedback and practical terms. It cannot replace a tasting, visit, test order or repeatable quality test. Each guide states which of those steps occurred.