Verified, stated and provided by the business: comparison labels explained

When you compare local businesses, knowing whether a fact is independently checked, self-declared or simply not known can make your decision clearer. Annuvell Local uses specific labels for each fact so you can see at a glance what evidence is behind it. Here is how each label works, what it tells you, and how to use them to make fair comparisons or present your own business accurately.

What each comparison label means

On Annuvell Local, every comparison fact is marked with one of four labels: verified, provided by the business, stated, or Not stated. Each label tells you where the information comes from and how much you can rely on it when making decisions.

• Verified: This means the fact has been checked against the business's own official website or published sources and matches what is published there. For example, if a business claims to accept card payments and this is clearly listed on its website, it receives the verified label.
• Provided by the business: This label is used when the business's verified owner has declared the fact directly, such as through their dashboard, but there is no published evidence on their website or elsewhere to support it. Only owners who have passed Annuvell Local’s ownership checks can submit these facts.
• Stated: This means the information has been found in the business’s own published materials (like a website or brochure), but Annuvell Local has not been able to independently verify it, or the evidence is less direct. For example, opening hours listed on a flyer might be marked as stated if the website cannot be checked.
• Not stated: This is used when no evidence is available either way — the fact is simply unknown. It does not mean the answer is no; it means there is no information to confirm or deny it. For more, see What "Not stated" means on a comparison.

Each comparison fact is defined according to category, along with general facts such as free quotes, online booking, service area, wheelchair access, card payments and opening hours. The label helps you judge how much weight to give each fact when comparing businesses.

Weighing each label: how much confidence to place in them

Not all facts are equal in terms of reliability. Understanding how to weigh each label helps you decide whether you need to check further or can act on the information as it stands.

• Verified facts can generally be used with confidence. These are based on evidence that Annuvell Local has checked and found on the business’s own official website or published sources. You can usually rely on these facts without needing to make a call or send an email for confirmation.
• Provided by the business facts come directly from a verified owner. While the owner has gone through ownership checks, this information is still self-declared. You might wish to confirm the detail if it is especially important to you, but it's reasonable to consider the owner’s word as credible unless you have reason to suspect otherwise.
• Stated facts are drawn from the business’s own materials, but have not been independently checked or may be less up to date. Treat these as likely but not certain; it could be worth double-checking, especially if the detail affects your decision.
• Not stated simply means there is no information available. It does not imply a negative answer. If the fact matters to you, you will need to ask the business directly or look for another provider who does state it.

Using these labels allows you to weigh the evidence behind each claim and decide where to put your trust or attention when comparing local options.

What "independently verified" means (and does not mean)

On Annuvell Local, "independently verified" has a specific meaning: the fact has been checked against the business’s official published information, typically their website, or confirmed by an administrator using an authoritative public record. For contact details, a phone number is marked as verified only when it is published by the business.

What it does not mean:
- There has been no physical inspection of the business location, premises or staff.
- There is no judgement on quality, performance or safety. Verified simply means the fact matches what the business publicly states in an official channel.
- It is not an endorsement or guarantee that the business delivers on what it claims.

This approach helps distinguish between facts that have been double-checked and those reported by the business but not cross-checked with a public source. It is a safeguard against accidental errors or out-of-date claims but is not a substitute for your own due diligence if the detail is crucial.

For more on the benefits and limits of verification, see How verified business information helps customers choose you.

Understanding the limits: no negative assumptions

A fact labelled Not stated should not be read as "No". It simply means there is no information available to confirm or deny the point. For example, if wheelchair access is marked Not stated, the business may offer it — or may not — but has not published or supplied evidence either way.

Paid placements, such as Featured listings, are clearly labelled and do not affect how comparison facts are gathered or displayed. Editorial guides and organic ordering are never changed by payment.

Annuvell Local’s approach is to show you only what is known, making it clear when an answer is missing rather than making an assumption. This transparency helps you make better choices and avoids penalising businesses for details that may have been missed or not relevant.

What happens when facts conflict or change

Sometimes, different sources may contradict each other — for example, if a business lists one set of opening hours on its website and another in a submission. When this occurs, Annuvell Local uses the most recent or direct evidence, prioritising independently verified sources over self-declared ones. If a claim cannot be verified, it may be shown as provided by the business or stated, rather than verified.

If you notice a fact that does not match your experience, you can contact the business directly or report the difference through the site. Businesses are encouraged to keep their information up to date, and owners can edit key facts from their dashboard. Regular reviews help keep listings accurate, but the absence of a claim does not mean the service is not available.

For business owners: moving facts up the ladder

As a business owner, presenting your services clearly and accurately helps customers choose you. Moving facts up the evidence ladder — from Not stated, to stated, to provided, and ideally to verified — can improve trust and reduce the number of questions you receive.

• Update your website: If you offer card payments, wheelchair access or free quotes, make sure these are clearly listed on your official website. Annuvell Local can then check and mark these as verified.
• Use your dashboard: Log in to update your details directly. Anything you confirm as a verified owner is labelled provided by the business if it is not yet on your website.
• Review the AI-enhanced preview: Before anything goes live, check the facts displayed in your listing and make corrections if needed.
• Keep information current: Out-of-date details can cause confusion. Regularly review your listing and published materials to match your current services and hours.

Claiming your listing and keeping it accurate is free, and helps you present the right information to potential customers. For more guidance, see How verified business information helps customers choose you.

Next steps

To make a fair comparison, pick two businesses and use the compare tool to see facts side by side. Read the labels for each fact so you can decide which details you can rely on, and which you may want to confirm before you contact anyone. If a detail is marked Not stated, consider asking about it directly or reviewing more listings. For further clarity, see What "Not stated" means on a comparison.