# How ToolGuide works

> How my reviews are made: hands-on testing, research, prices checked every week and a rating I give myself.

- URL: https://toolguide.io/en/hoe-wij-werken/
- Language: en
- Site: ToolGuide (https://toolguide.io/)

Links to tools go through toolguide.io/go/; some are affiliate links. Prices are as listed by the maker, in the maker's currency, with the date they were last checked.

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My process

I believe in transparency. That's why I explain here exactly how my reviews are made.

## How I work, in 5 steps

### 1. Hands-on testing and desk research

Whenever I can, I test tools myself with a free account or a trial. For premium features I can't pay for myself, I do extensive desk research: official documentation, demo videos and user experiences on YouTube, G2, Capterra and Product Hunt. Willem tests along.

### 2. Research with the help of AI

I use AI to go through technical documentation and to collect user experiences. AI never decides the final verdict or the rating; I do that myself. AI is my research assistant, not a replacement for experience.

### 3. Writing and editing myself

I add my own experience, put everything in the ToolGuide tone and decide the rating. I write the way you'd talk to a friend: no marketing jargon, no exaggerated claims, honest about limitations and strengths.

### 4. Checking the facts

Before publishing, I check that prices and plans match the official pricing page, that features are described correctly and that the links work. I rely on official documentation, pricing pages and user reviews.

### 5. Keeping it up to date

Every week a script checks whether the official pricing pages have changed. If they have, I get a notification; new prices only go on the site after I've checked them. Each plan shows when its price was last checked. When a tool changes a lot, I update the review. The "updated" date on a review only changes when the text, the plans or the features really change.

## How the rating works

The rating is one number from 1 to 5, with one decimal. I give it myself, after the testing and research above. There is no formula or fixed weighting behind it, and it isn't an average of other review sites: I read scores on G2, Capterra or Trustpilot as background, but they don't count.

- The rating only changes when I change it myself, for example after a big update. A new price doesn't change it.
- If I haven't looked at a tool closely enough yet, it gets no rating and you won't see a star.
- In a category, tools are listed by rating. Paid spots are shown above them, always marked as sponsored.
- Verified means: I know the tool and have been in touch with its makers, or it's a large, established app. It has nothing to do with the rating.
- I compare features with other tools in the same category. A feature only appears on the site once I've confirmed it.

## What I do (and don't do)

### What I do

- Test tools whenever possible (free or trial)
- Extensive desk research for premium features
- Be open about using AI
- Honest pros and cons
- Clearly mark affiliate links
- Update reviews when tools change
- Suggest alternatives

### What I don't do

- Adjust ratings for sponsors
- AI content without human review
- Copy marketing material
- Let anyone "buy" a positive review
- Hide the downsides
- Clickbait titles
- Claims without checking

## How ToolGuide makes money

ToolGuide makes money in two ways:

**Affiliate links:** If you buy a tool through my link, I sometimes get a small commission. It costs you nothing extra.

**Sponsorship:** Sometimes tools pay for extra visibility, always clearly marked as sponsored.

**This never influences my ratings, pros and cons, or which tools I review.** I only review tools I would use or recommend myself.

## Questions about how I work?

Or want to see a specific tool reviewed? I'd love to hear from you.

[Contact me](https://toolguide.io/en/contact/)