Our Research Methodology
CreditDoc separates public Google review ratings from our own editorial research. Here is how we collect data, review companies, and decide what to show.
How Star Ratings Work
When a CreditDoc page shows a star rating, it is the stored Google rating for that business, shown with the stored Google review count. We do not create or display a public CreditDoc algorithmic star score.
Google rating and review count
The visible rating is based on stored Google review data when a valid rating and review count are available. If that data is missing, incomplete, or not suitable for display, CreditDoc shows no star rating.
Editorial review is separate
CreditDoc editorial analysis uses public information such as company services, pricing, BBB data, CFPB complaint data, licensing or regulatory records, location information, and direct company research. That analysis informs our written review, not a public star score.
Schema follows the same rule
Review pages only emit AggregateRating schema when a valid stored Google rating and review count are available. We do not mark up an internal CreditDoc score as a consumer rating.
Manual review pages may withhold ratings
Pages that are incomplete, under manual review, noindexed, or lacking reliable Google review data do not show a star rating. This prevents unsupported ratings from appearing on low-confidence profiles.
Compensation cannot change ratings
Affiliate compensation cannot change a stored Google rating, review count, editorial review, correction decision, or displayed research note.
Our Data Sources
We cross-reference multiple independent data sources to form a comprehensive picture of each company. No single source determines our written review.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Accreditation status, letter grades, complaint history, and resolution track record.
CFPB Complaint Database
Consumer complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including company responses.
User Reviews
Public customer review data from Trustpilot, Google, BBB, and other platforms, analyzed for common themes.
Direct Company Research
We visit company websites directly to review pricing, features, service tiers, and terms of service.
Pricing Reference Checks
Monthly checks of listed price references against company websites so readers can see the latest stored pricing context.
Regulatory Records
State attorney general actions, FTC enforcement actions, and court records when available.
Our Review Process
Each company listing goes through a structured review pipeline before publication. Here's how it works:
Initial Research
We identify the company and gather baseline information: founding date, headquarters, services offered, target market, and key differentiators.
Data Collection
We pull data from all sources listed above: BBB, CFPB, user reviews, pricing reference checks, and regulatory records.
Editorial Analysis
Our team writes the detailed review narrative, identifies pros/cons, checks caveats, and documents the consumer situations a service appears built for. Star ratings remain limited to stored Google rating data when available.
Peer Review
Review content is cross-checked for accuracy, consistency with our methodology, and fairness. Stored Google rating data is checked separately before it is displayed.
Publication
The review is published on CreditDoc with a "last updated" date. Reviews include a plain-language summary of the service profile, relevant context, and points readers may want to verify.
Ongoing Monitoring
Listings are reviewed through scheduled data refreshes, editorial passes, and source updates. If a company's BBB rating changes, receives regulatory action, or makes significant changes to their services, we update our review when that change is identified.
Update Frequency
| What We Check | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Pricing and service tiers | Monthly |
| Full review and Google rating display check | Quarterly |
| BBB ratings and accreditation | Quarterly |
| CFPB complaint data | Quarterly |
| Regulatory actions or legal issues | As they occur |
| Company closures or acquisitions | As they occur |
Editorial Independence
CreditDoc earns revenue through affiliate partnerships with some of the companies listed on our site. When you click certain links and sign up for a service, we may receive a referral fee. This is how we fund our research and keep the site free for consumers.
However, compensation never influences our editorial content. It cannot change stored Google rating data, review counts, written reviews, correction decisions, or displayed research notes. We cover many companies that do not have an affiliate relationship with us.
If you believe any of our reviews contain inaccurate information, we encourage you to contact us at contact@creditdoc.co. We take corrections seriously and will investigate promptly. For our full affiliate disclosure, visit our Disclosure page.
Use Methodology With CreditDoc Context
Methodology is most useful when it connects back to the underlying data, state rules, consumer resources, and original research that support CreditDoc pages.
See what each displayed data point means and where it comes from.
Complaint Data ResearchReview how public CFPB data is used as one research signal.
State Rule ContextConnect provider research with state-level lending and credit repair context.
Credit Report ChecklistUse a practical resource connected to credit-report review topics.
Rating Display Rules
A Google rating is shown
Only when the database has a valid stored Google rating and a stored Google review count.
No internal score is substituted
If Google rating data is unavailable or a page needs manual review, the profile shows no stored Google rating.
Structured data follows the visible page
AggregateRating schema is emitted only when the same Google rating is visible to users.
Suggest a Correction
We strive for accuracy in everything we publish, but we're not infallible. If you notice incorrect pricing, outdated information, a factual error, or believe a displayed Google rating is stale or incorrect, please let us know.
Email us at contact@creditdoc.co with the subject line "Correction Request" and include:
- The page URL or company name
- What information you believe is incorrect
- The correct information (with a source, if possible)
We review all correction requests within 5 business days and will update our content if warranted.
Last updated: May 25, 2026 | CreditDoc is a property of Cosmic Phoenix LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company.