Trust policy
Review basis
UK Shortlists uses review-basis labels to show what supports a recommendation. The label matters because source-backed evidence review, specification checks, expert input, hands-on use, and long-term testing are not the same thing.
The labels we use
- Structured evidence review
- Organised comparison using public product information, category criteria, merchant listings, source packs where available, and editorial judgement.
- Spec-verified comparison
- Key claims are checked against manufacturer or merchant-listed specifications where those sources are available.
- Evidence-supported comparison
- Structured evidence review is supported by independent review patterns, buyer feedback themes, named source packs, expert input where documented, or multiple corroborating sources.
- First-party use checks
- Deprecated as a default public state. Used only if a page explicitly documents direct first-party product experience and what was checked.
- Long-term tested
- Deprecated as a default public state. Used only where there is documented extended use over time. One long-term experience should not be treated as universal proof.
Where expert input fits
Expert input can improve shortlist criteria, exclusions, buyer caveats, and claim boundaries. It is not a blanket endorsement or testing claim. If named external expert review, professional course material, or specialist source evidence is used, the relevant page or source pack should state the scope.
See the Expert Review Framework for the rules behind this.
What the labels do not mean
- Structured evidence review does not mean hands-on testing.
- Spec-verified comparison does not mean independently measured performance.
- Evidence-supported comparison does not mean UK Shortlists personally tested every product.
- Expert input does not automatically mean endorsement, certification, safety approval, or direct product testing.
- First-party use checks do not automatically mean long-term durability testing.
- Affiliate availability does not count as product evidence.
Why this matters
A useful buying guide should make its evidence level visible. When UK Shortlists has not directly tested a product, the page should not imply that it has. When data is uncertain, the safer answer is to show the limitation or leave the value unstated rather than guess.
See also the Testing & Evidence Policy and Editorial Policy.