How we choose businesses in Philadelphia
How we choose businesses in Philadelphia: like against like, praise that has lasted and what each business puts in writing. Inclusion cannot be bought.
Like against like
A BYOB restaurant is compared with other BYOBs, and a foundation repair contractor with other foundation specialists rather than with a general handyman. Businesses for which the topic is the main work come first.
Praise that has lasted
Philadelphians do not hand out compliments easily, and we try to be just as demanding. We look at the public reputation each business has earned over the years, which any Philadelphian can check, and set its rating against the length of its record. A spot that went viral last month does not outrank one that has fed Port Richmond or South Philly for decades.
What it puts in writing
We also look at what a business shows on its site and official accounts, from services and service area to the guarantees it is willing to put in writing.
Our call, on merit
The order is editorial, based on merit, and revisited on a schedule. If we got something wrong, the contact page reaches us. Nobody can pay their way onto a list or into a better set of rules. An upgraded profile or a featured spot is open only to businesses already selected, and it is always labeled.