How we rank

Search results. By default, businesses are ordered by how well they match your search:

• the category and services you asked for;
• where they work;
• how closely what they list fits your search words.

You can choose another order, such as A–Z or newest.

Claimed and unclaimed listings. On category pages and filtered results, businesses that have claimed their page come first, because they have told us what they do. Listings whose category is based only on the business name come after them, labelled "Based on the business name". We only do that where we have measured the rule behind it and found it at least 90–95% accurate — 95% for most categories, and 90% for security, where the names that get it wrong are usually a neighbouring trade rather than an unrelated business. Every one of those carries a "Wrong category?" link: use it and the category comes off straight away, and it does not come back. Filters for services, industries served, areas covered and checks only include claimed businesses, because only they give us that information. Claiming is free.

Business Profiles. A Business Profile shows more detail. It isn't placed higher in search. Meetings come with a Business Profile; among eligible businesses, who is put forward depends on fit.

Introductions. Businesses with a Business Profile and meetings switched on, whose checks against our published standard are all recorded, are eligible. Among them, we look only at fit:

• category and services;
• areas served;
• size of work;
• how introductions have gone before.

Checked against our standard. This mark means the checks on our published standard are recorded for that business. It's not a rating.