Trust Score
How we verify every listing on Local Directory
Every listing on Local Directory receives a Trust Score — a transparent measure of how confident we are that a business is real, active, and accurately represented.
Unlike other directories that accept any submission at face value, we independently verify every listing against multiple authoritative sources. Trust Scores are earned over time through consistent verification — they cannot be bought, faked, or fast-tracked.
What the scores mean
Highly Trusted
This business has been consistently verified across multiple sources over an extended period. Contact details, location, and business status are all confirmed and up to date.
Verified
Key details have been confirmed through independent sources. The business is active and its information is largely accurate. Trust is building through repeated checks.
Partially Verified
Some details have been confirmed but verification is still in progress. This business may be new to our directory or have limited public records available.
Unverified
This listing has not yet been verified or could not be matched to authoritative records. The information shown may be incomplete or outdated.
What we check
Our automated verification system cross-references each listing against multiple independent sources:
- Business presence — Is the business findable through major mapping and search platforms?
- Contact accuracy — Do phone numbers and addresses match across sources?
- Business registration — Is the business registered and active with Australian authorities?
- Website status — Is the business website live and does its contact information match?
- Profile completeness — Does the listing have comprehensive, useful information?
How trust is earned
Trust Scores use a time-weighted model — they reward consistency over time, not just a single good check. A business that passes verification repeatedly over weeks and months will naturally build a higher score than one that was just added.
Scores also respond to changes. If a business closes, changes its phone number, or its website goes down, the score adjusts accordingly. Repeated issues lead to progressively larger penalties, while consistent accuracy is rewarded.
Trust Scores are designed so that 100 is mathematically impossible. No listing can achieve a perfect score — there's always room to improve, and the score always reflects the reality that verification is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
Owner-claimed listings
Business owners can claim their listing, which gives them the ability to update their own information and manage how their business appears. A small listing fee applies — this helps us maintain the directory and keep verification running.
Claimed listings start with the same Trust Score as any other — paying to claim doesn't boost your score. What matters is whether the information is accurate and verifiable. However, claimed listings with complete, accurate information tend to score higher naturally, because there's more data for our system to verify.
Transparency
We believe every directory should tell you why they trust a listing, not just ask you to take their word for it. The Trust Score is our commitment to that principle.
If you notice inaccurate information on any listing, let us know. Accuracy benefits everyone.