Open Methodology

The GoBuy Smart Score:
Trust You Can Verify

A transparent, data-driven trust score for every Amazon product. Built on review authenticity, not star ratings.

Read the Methodology View Whitepaper
0-100
Trust Scale
Granular numeric score
8
Signal Categories
Independent trust dimensions
24h
Update Cycle
Re-evaluated daily
94.2%
Fake Review Detection
Benchmarked accuracy

The Problem with Star Ratings

⚠

Easily Manipulated

Amazon star ratings can be inflated with fake reviews, incentivized feedback, and coordinated review campaigns. A 4.8-star average tells you nothing about authenticity.

☷

Opaque Weighting

Amazon does not disclose how it weighs verified purchases, review history, or seller reputation. You are trusting a black box with your money.

✕

No Context

A product with 500 reviews and 4.9 stars could be genuinely excellent or thoroughly manipulated. Without deeper signals, there is no way to tell.

Eight Signals. One Score.

Smart Score combines eight independent trust signals into a single 0-100 score. Each signal is weighted according to its predictive power for detecting manipulated reviews.

1
Verified Purchase Ratio
20% weight
2
Review Authenticity Signals
18% weight
3
Rating Distribution Shape
15% weight
4
Reviewer History Analysis
12% weight
5
Return Rate Signals
10% weight
6
Review Velocity
10% weight
7
Seller Reputation
8% weight
8
Price-Quality Alignment
7% weight
Explore Each Signal in Detail

Smart Score Grading Scale

A
85-100
Excellent
High confidence: reviews are authentic and trustworthy.
B
70-84
Good
Strong trust signals with minor concerns.
C
55-69
Moderate
Mixed signals: exercise caution and read reviews carefully.
D
40-54
Weak
Significant trust issues detected. Investigate thoroughly.
F
0-39
Poor
Strong evidence of review manipulation. Do not rely on ratings.

Radical Transparency

We publish our complete methodology. Anyone can read it, challenge it, or verify it. That is the point.

Open Methodology

Every signal, every weight, every threshold is documented in plain language. No proprietary black boxes.

No Pay-to-Play

Brands cannot pay to improve their score. The score is computed from data, not from relationships.

GoBuy Verified

Products that maintain a score of 80+ for 90 consecutive days earn the GoBuy Verified badge. Automatically. Free.