Effective Date: September 11, 2025
Last Updated: September 11, 2025
This page explains how BestLawyersInUnitedStates.com creates attorney profiles, orders results in our directory, and labels sponsored content. Read together with our Terms of Use, Disclaimer, Advertising and Affiliate Disclosure, and Privacy Policy.
1) How profiles are created
- Public sources like state bar records and firm websites
- Direct submissions from attorneys and firms
- User suggestions and corrections we can verify
We attempt to verify licensing status at the time of creation and on a periodic schedule. If you see an error, use the instructions in our Corrections Policy.
2) What appears on a profile
- Name, firm, jurisdictions, practice areas, contact details, website link
- Education, admissions, languages, awards where provided or verified
- Photos or logos owned or licensed by the attorney or firm
- Reviews submitted by users in line with our Reviews and Community Guidelines
3) How search results are ordered
We use a relevance algorithm that considers a mix of signals. No single factor guarantees placement. The most common weighted inputs include
- Relevance to query practice area match, location proximity, related keywords
- Profile completeness filled core fields, biography depth, practice areas, media
- Engagement signals profile views, saves, contact clicks, consistent availability
- Recency and freshness recent updates to profile, recent activity on the site
- Quality checks verified bar status, low complaint ratio, compliance history
- User feedback average review sentiment and consistency, when available
Sponsored placements are separate and are clearly labeled as Sponsored or Ad. See Advertising and Affiliate Disclosure.
4) Sponsored placements and promotions
- Sponsored listings may appear above or alongside organic results
- Sponsorship never changes review content or bar verification outcomes
- Sponsored content is labeled so users can distinguish it from organic results
For more, review our Advertising and Affiliate Disclosure and Cookie Policy.
5) How attorneys can improve organic visibility
- Claim your profile and keep details current
- Complete all core sections biography, practice areas, jurisdictions, education, awards
- Add a professional photo and firm logo you own or have rights to use
- Encourage clients to leave honest reviews that follow our Reviews and Community Guidelines
- Respond to user inquiries promptly and professionally
- Report inaccuracies for correction through the steps in our Corrections Policy
6) Quality and safety checks
- Periodic bar status checks using public records
- Automated fraud and spam screening on reviews and messages
- Manual moderation of reported content under the Reviews and Community Guidelines
- Removal or restriction of profiles that violate our Terms of Use or legal requirements
7) Corrections and removals
- To correct a profile, email admin@bestlawyersinunitedstates.com or use the form on our Contact Page with supporting documentation
- To request removal of a profile, provide your full name, bar number, profile URL, and reason. We evaluate removals where required by law or policy
- For copyright claims, follow our DMCA Notice and Takedown Policy
8) Reviews and ratings
- Reviews must be firsthand, factual, and respectful
- We remove reviews that are spam, unlawful, or violate our rules
- We do not allow paid reviews or undisclosed incentives
Read the full rules in Reviews and Community Guidelines.
9) Conflicts of interest
Team members who create editorial content must disclose relationships with featured firms and must not accept compensation to alter rankings or coverage. Sponsored content is labeled in line with our Advertising and Affiliate Disclosure.
10) Data usage, privacy, and choice
Ranking and personalization can rely on cookies or similar technologies. Manage preferences in the Cookie Policy and opt out at Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.
11) Changes to this methodology
We refine our signals as we learn from user behavior and legal requirements. Important changes will be reflected here with a new date, and significant updates may be noted on the profile or search pages.