Consumer Trust & Ranking Disclosures
In compliance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Endorsement Guides and Section 5 of the FTC Act, Top Trades USA, LLC provides full public disclosure regarding how contractor listings, reviews, and rankings operate.
1. Meritocratic Search Ranking
Contractor positions in organic search results are calculated by our organic ranking algorithm based on merit factors:
- Verified Review Score: Quantity and star rating of verified customer reviews.
- Responsiveness: Average response time to homeowner quote requests.
- Verified Credentials: Active state trade license verification and insurance records.
- Proximity: Service area alignment with the homeowner’s ZIP code.
2. Sponsored / Boosted Listings
Contractors may purchase “Boost” promotion campaigns. All sponsored listings are clearly labeled with a prominent “Sponsored” or “Ad” badge to ensure transparency. Sponsored placement does not alter organic review ratings or erase consumer alerts.
3. Review Authenticity Policy
We enforce strict anti-fraud policies. Self-submitted reviews by contractors, paid incentivized reviews without disclosure, and fake competitor reviews are prohibited. We utilize automated abuse signals and manual moderation cases. Violations may result in public Consumer Alert Badges pinned to a contractor’s profile.