How we review

Last updated: October 26, 2026

This page explains exactly how we research and write every review on Candid Buyer's Guide. If a review doesn't follow this method, tell us at contact@candidbuyersguide.com and we'll fix it.

The short version

• We read everything the seller publishes, including the fine print.
• We check the price, the upsells and the refund terms ourselves.
• We say clearly whether we bought and used the product. If we didn't, the review says "Hands-on: No" at the top.
• We look for independent complaints and summarize the patterns, good and bad.
• We never repeat a claim as fact when we couldn't verify it.
• We earn a commission on some purchases, and we explain below how we keep that from deciding the verdict.

Step 1: What we read

For every product, we read and take notes on:

• The sales page and any sales video, start to finish, including the text at the very bottom of the page, where sellers often place disclaimers about testimonials, pen names and results.
• The seller's terms of service and refund policy.
• The seller's FAQ and support pages.
• Who actually sells the product. Many digital products are sold through a payment platform or retailer (for example, ClickBank or Digistore24) and not by the creator directly. That changes who you contact for a refund.
• The product's own description of what is included: format (video, PDF, app, audio), length, bonuses and any subscriptions.

Step 2: What we verify

We try to confirm the facts a buyer cares about most. Each review lists what we checked and what we could not check.

• Price at checkout. We go to the checkout page and record the price and currency on the date of the review. We note any order bumps, upsells, downsells or recurring charges we can see. Prices change, so every review shows the date we checked.
• Refund terms. We record the refund window (for example, 60 days), any conditions, and how to request a refund.
• The author. We check whether the author's name, credentials and background can be confirmed through independent sources. If the seller's own terms say the author name is a pen name, or that the person in the video is an actor, we tell you.
• Testimonials. We do not treat testimonials on a sales page as proof. If the seller says testimonials are composites or not typical, we tell you.
• Main claims. When a product claims to be "proven," "scientific" or based on research, we look for that research. If we can't find it, or it doesn't support the claim, we say so.
• Discounts and "limited time" offers. We don't repeat a crossed-out "regular price" or a countdown unless we can confirm the product was really sold at that price.

Step 3: Whether we tested it

We are honest about this, because it matters.

• Hands-on: Yes means someone on our team bought the product with our own money and used it. The review says when, for how long, and what we actually did with it.
• Hands-on: No means we did not buy or use the product. The review is based on research: the seller's materials, the checks above, and independent sources. We still publish these reviews when we think the research is useful, but we label them clearly at the top, and we don't describe the inside of a product we haven't seen.

We never accept free products in exchange for a positive review. If a seller ever gives us free access, the review will say so.

Step 4: Complaints and independent feedback

We look for what real buyers say outside the seller's website. Depending on the product, we check sources such as the Better Business Bureau, consumer review sites, public forums like Reddit, app store reviews and news coverage.

• We summarize patterns, not single angry or glowing comments.
• We separate complaints about the product (quality, content) from complaints about billing (unexpected charges, upsells, refunds).
• We say when we found very little independent feedback. A lack of complaints is not the same as proof that a product works.
• We link to sources where we can, so you can judge for yourself.

Step 5: Refunds

Every review explains:

• The refund window and its conditions, as stated by the seller on the date of the review.
• Who processes the refund (the creator, or the retailer or payment platform shown on your receipt).
• How to request it, in plain steps.

We don't sell the products we review, so we can't issue refunds. If you run into trouble getting a refund you were promised, tell us. We'll update the review if we see a pattern.

Step 6: How we write the verdict

Every review includes:

• A one-paragraph verdict at the top.
• "Hands-on: Yes/No" and the date of our checks.
• What you get and what it costs in total, including known upsells and recurring charges.
• Pros and cons. Every product has cons. If we can't find any, we haven't looked hard enough.
• Who it's for and who should skip it.
• Claims we could not verify, listed as such.
• How to get a refund.
• An FAQ with the questions buyers actually ask.
• Alternatives, including free ones when they exist.

We don't use numeric scores out of 10 or star ratings. A number suggests more precision than a review like ours can offer. We give a plain verdict instead.

Sensitive topics

Some products we cover deal with relationships, health, language learning or money. Our reviews are general information, not professional advice. When a topic touches on emotional distress, health or safety, we point readers to qualified professionals and free resources.

How we make money, and how we keep it from deciding verdicts

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission from the seller or the platform. You pay the same price. Full affiliate disclosure

We know this creates an incentive to be positive. Here's how we handle it:

• Sellers cannot pay for a review, a better verdict or a place on our site.
• Sellers don't see our reviews before they're published and can't edit them.
• We publish the cons and the "who should skip it" section for every product, including the ones we earn from.
• If a product isn't worth buying, we say so, even if it means we earn nothing.
• We may decline to link to a product at all if we have serious concerns about it.

Updates and corrections

• Every review shows a "Last updated" date.
• We re-check price and refund terms when we update a review.
• If we get something wrong, we correct it and note the correction at the end of the review.
• Sellers, buyers and anyone else can report an error at contact@candidbuyersguide.com.

Who does this work

Reviews are researched and written by the Candid Buyer's Guide team. We don't claim professional credentials we don't have, and we don't use pen names or invented experts. About us