The Directory Score
Each eligible business receives a score built from four public-facing signals. The formula may evolve, but material changes should be documented on this page.
1. Rating quality
The score uses a Bayesian-adjusted rating rather than the raw star average. A business with very few reviews is pulled toward a neutral prior until more evidence exists. This prevents a new 5.0 profile with a handful of reviews from automatically outranking a long-established 4.8 profile.
2. Review depth
Review count matters, but with diminishing returns. The difference between 10 and 100 reviews matters more than the difference between 1,010 and 1,100 reviews.
3. Current operating status
Businesses marked permanently closed are excluded. Profiles identified as operational receive a small completeness signal.
4. Profile completeness
A listed website and usable location or service-area information provide a modest score benefit. Completeness never outweighs rating quality and review depth.
What does not affect organic rank
- Buying an advertisement or upgraded profile
- Paying Front Range Home Helper
- Offering a commission on leads
- Being a larger company or national brand
Sponsored placements
Sponsored placements appear in separate modules and carry a visible “Sponsored” or “Advertisement” label. They are not inserted into the numbered organic ranking in a way that could be mistaken for editorial order.
Important limitations
A directory rank is not a guarantee of quality, availability, licensing, insurance, pricing or fit for a specific job. Homeowners should independently verify credentials, request written estimates and use a signed contract.
Removal and corrections
Businesses that appear closed, deceptive, unrelated to the selected category or outside the service area may be removed. Business owners can submit corrections through the claim form.