How we review exchanges
The difference between a data profile, overview, comparison and review, the evidence each needs, and the checklist every exchange page passes before indexing.
Page types and what they require
We use precise labels so that readers know what evidence sits behind a page.
| Label | What it is | Evidence required |
|---|---|---|
| Data profile | Structured facts about one exchange in one market | Official source and access date for every verified field |
| Overview | A data profile plus editorial context (who it suits, what to watch for) | Same as data profile; context must follow from verified facts |
| Comparison | Two or more data profiles side by side with commentary | Verified data for every cell that is not marked unknown |
| Guide | Explains a process (deposits, KYC, withdrawals) for a market | Official documentation and regulator sources |
| Review | An assessment informed by our own account use | Primary-research source recorded (account opened, deposit, trade, withdrawal, support contact) |
A page can only be called a review when the sources list includes primary research. Everything else is an overview, comparison, guide or data profile, and the wording avoids any suggestion of hands-on testing.
The checklist before indexing
An exchange page becomes indexable only when all of the following are true:
- A unique title and description, and a canonical URL.
- An author, a publication date and an update date.
- A “last verified” date within the re-verification window.
- At least one official source, listed with its access date.
- The general risk warning and the affiliate disclosure status.
- Verification status of the underlying data is not “research required”.
- Editorial status is ready or published.
If any item is missing the page stays a draft: reachable for internal review, excluded from search engines and from the sitemap, with affiliate links switched off.
What each exchange page contains
Where the data exists, an exchange page covers: a direct answer to “who is this for”; the evaluation criteria; a comparison table; advantages and disadvantages; fees or cost assumptions; availability limitations; KYC considerations; deposit and withdrawal considerations; a risk section; a link to the methodology; the affiliate disclosure; sources; the last-verified date; and related internal links.
How platforms are ordered
Lists and the Exchange Finder order platforms by verification status, then confirmed availability, then name. Commissions, click statistics and the existence of an affiliate agreement never influence the order, and the rule is printed on the tool page.
What we do not do
- Publish a review without primary-research evidence.
- Fill an unknown cell with an estimate.
- Order platforms by commission.
- Reuse one market’s page for another market with only the country name changed.
- Invent ratings, review counts or user numbers.