Here’s how the
local list works.

Verified business information

We check a business’s identity, location or service area, website, and contact details against the business’s own website or another reliable local source. Profiles link to that source. Businesses and residents can submit updates for review.

Google ratings, with context

A public listing must link to the correct Google profile and have a current Google rating of at least 4.2, with at least one review. This minimum applies to free and sponsored listings. We retrieve ratings live and hold a listing back when its rating is below 4.2 or cannot be verified. Temporarily or permanently closed Google profiles are also held back. We don’t invent ratings, store review text, or award our own stars.

Rating sorting first shows businesses with at least 20 Google reviews, ordered by rating, then review count, then name. Qualifying businesses with fewer reviews follow. Unrated businesses are not included. “Most reviews” sorts by review count. Name sorting is alphabetical.

Google listing photos

We retrieve available Google photos live and select a high-resolution image suited to the landscape card layout. If that photo is unavailable, we try another. Google does not identify a universally “best” photo or guarantee its Maps cover photo through this API. Photo contributors are credited wherever their image appears.

Sponsored placement

Paid listings appear in a separate area above organic results with a “Sponsored” label. Up to three businesses can sponsor a town and category; their display order rotates equally. Payment doesn’t change ratings or organic order.

Community nominations

Nominations help us find businesses to verify. They are not votes, Google reviews, or a “best business” award. We review submissions before publishing and may contact the submitter to clarify details.

A growing local directory

Coverage is growing, and the directory isn’t an exhaustive list of Highlands County businesses. Confirm availability, credentials, hours, and pricing with each business before booking.