Methodology

How Category Index reviews sites

Last reviewed: June 30, 2026

One canonical host per product

Every public site in the network has one canonical host. Standalone domains keep their own host. Category subdomains self-canonicalize unless a standalone domain is deliberately assigned. The master domain exists to explain and route the network, not to duplicate child pages.

Directory quality gates

Directory pages are built from public business-profile data, source-refresh dates, service scope checks, and visible methodology notes. Draft directories and draft city pages stay out of public routes, sitemaps, and the network index until their data passes the promotion gate.

Utility quality gates

Utility pages need a working tool, transparent assumptions, dated data where a result depends on public rates, and enough explanatory content to stand alone. Variant pages are blocked if they are near-duplicates or exist only to multiply search pages.

Review and correction loop

Published pages are audited for status codes, canonical hosts, metadata length, internal links, unfinished draft text, and source drift. Corrections should include the affected URL and a better source so the change can be reviewed without guessing.