How ranking signals work

Every published brand ranking is free to enter and ordered by a signal score. The score reflects the public evidence a listing has earned — a verified domain, its reach, and how people engage with it. A rank is never bought; buying a boosted top-3 slot only changes the sponsored placement above the free order, and cannot move the free rank.

The signal score

Each listing starts at zero and earns points from the features below. A higher score ranks higher.

• Verified domain — 100 points. A listing whose website domain is verified on Sponsored.bid earns a fixed 100-point bonus.
• Views — progressive. Each completed 1,000 views adds more than the last: the first 1,000 views earns 100 points, the next 1,000 earns 200, the next earns 300, and so on.
• Clicks — 3 points each. Every confirmed action click on a listing adds weight.
• Watchlist adds — 5 points each. Saving a listing to a watchlist counts as a stronger signal.
• Published reviews. Reviews add a volume term plus a quality term based on the average rating, so a well-reviewed listing earns more.

Example

A listing with a verified domain and 3,000 views scores 100 (verified) + 600 (100 + 200 + 300 for its three 1,000-view blocks) = 700 points before any clicks, watchlist adds, or reviews are counted.

What does not change a rank

Paid placements cannot buy a free rank. Boosted top-3 slots are separate sponsored placements shown above the free order; they hold a position for a four-month term and never reorder the free list.