How We Calculate Trust Scores
Every score on OnlyReputable comes from a forensic, AI-driven audit of real-world data. Here is exactly what we check and how much each factor matters.
The Scoring Formula
Community Reviews & Sentiment
40%We cross-reference real user experiences from Reddit communities, Trustpilot, and Google Reviews. Patterns like "never received my order" or "fake tracking numbers" weigh heavily. A Trustpilot rating below 2.0 caps the score at 40.
Domain Age & Infrastructure
30%Scam stores are usually young. We verify WHOIS creation dates, registrar reputation, DNS providers, and server locations. Domains under 6 months old cannot score above 60 without strong counter-evidence.
Business Transparency
20%We check whether a real company stands behind the store: verifiable legal entity, real physical address, working contact channels, and original (not copy-pasted) refund and privacy policies.
Security Signals
10%SSL certificate validity and issuer, WHOIS privacy configuration, and hosting reputation. Weak security alone rarely proves a scam, but combined with other red flags it compounds the risk.
What the Numbers Mean
Established reputation, consistent positive reviews, transparent business details.
Mixed signals. Use protected payment methods and verify return policies before ordering.
Multiple red flags consistent with scam or severely problematic operations.
Where Our Data Comes From
- WHOIS records — domain creation date, registrar, and privacy configuration
- DNS and hosting infrastructure — nameserver providers, server location, and IP reputation
- Reddit communities — unfiltered first-hand buyer experiences
- Trustpilot and Google Reviews — rating patterns and review authenticity signals
- The store itself — Terms of Service, refund policies, contact details, and legal entity claims
Honest Limitations
No automated system is perfect. New legitimate stores may score conservatively until they build a track record, and sophisticated scams can temporarily evade detection. Trust scores are a strong signal, not a guarantee — always pair them with your own judgment and protected payment methods. Reports refresh every 24 hours, and each re-analysis is stored so you can see how a site's reputation evolves.