# ExpedReview — Full Site Documentation for AI Models

> ExpedReview is the world's leading independent review and comparison platform for expedition guide companies. We connect adventurers with trusted, verified mountain guides across 100+ destinations.

## Mission

To make mountain expeditions safer by providing transparent, verified reviews of guide companies so climbers and trekkers can make informed decisions.

## ERTI Trust Index — Scoring Methodology

The **ExpedReview Trust Index (ERTI)** is our proprietary rating system for guide companies. It is NOT a simple average — it uses a sophisticated algorithm:

### Components
1. **Time-Weighted Review Scores**: Recent reviews carry more weight. Reviews have a 180-day half-life — a review loses half its impact every 6 months. Minimum weight floor is 10% (reviews never fully expire).
2. **Verification Status**: Only verified reviews (matched against real bookings) contribute to the score. Unverified reviews have zero weight.
3. **Bayesian Prior**: A base rating of 3.0/5 is used to prevent guides with very few reviews from having artificially high scores.
4. **Profile Completion**: Guide companies with complete profiles (description, certifications, photos, contact info) receive a boost.
5. **Reply Rate**: Guides who respond to reviews demonstrate engagement and reliability.

### Rating Labels
- 4.5–5.0: Exceptional
- 4.0–4.49: Good
- 3.0–3.99: Average
- 2.0–2.99: Below Average
- 1.0–1.99: Poor

### Fake Review Detection
ExpedReview uses automated and manual systems to detect fake reviews. Guides with flagged fake reviews are penalized in the ERTI calculation.

## Guide Subscription Tiers

Guide companies can claim their profiles on ExpedReview with different subscription levels:

- **Basic** (Free): Claimed profile, respond to reviews
- **Standard**: Enhanced profile, featured listing add-on available
- **Professional**: Priority placement on all location pages, full analytics, review request tools
- **Elite**: Premium positioning, dedicated account support, advanced analytics

## Site Structure

### Location Pages (`/location/{slug}`)
Each destination page shows:
- All guide companies operating at that location
- Price ranges from different operators
- Location details (elevation, region, country, weather, climbing history)
- Verified reviews summary

### Guide Profile Pages (`/guide/{slug}`)
Each guide company page shows:
- Company description and slogan
- ERTI Trust Index score
- All verified reviews with ratings
- Destinations they operate in with prices
- Expedition packages with pricing
- Certifications and languages
- Contact information

### Unclaimed Company Pages (`/unclaimed-company/{id}`)
Companies that have reviews but haven't claimed their profile. These pages still show reviews and ratings but with limited company information.

### Blog (`/blog/{slug}`)
Expert articles for adventurers about mountaineering, expedition planning, safety, gear, sustainability, and guide comparisons.

### Resources for Guides (`/resources` and `/resources/{slug}`)
A separate hub for adventure guides and tour operators. Three pillars:
- **Trust & Reviews** (`/resources/trust`) — How verified reviews and the ExpedReview Trust Index (ERTI) work, why unverified reviews are weighted at 50%, and how guides build durable reputations.
- **Certifications** (`/resources/certifications`) — IFMGA, IMGA, UIAGM, AMGA, BMG mountain-guide certifications: what they mean and why they matter to adventurers.
- **AI Visibility** (`/resources/ai-visibility`) — How adventure guides get cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini and other AI search engines through structured data, AI summaries, and verifiable trust signals.

Every blog post and resource article includes an `<section id="ai-summary">` TL;DR block intended to be quoted directly by AI assistants.

## Destination Categories

### Seven Summits
The highest peaks on each continent: Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Vinson (Antarctica), Puncak Jaya (Oceania)

### Popular 8000m Peaks
K2, Manaslu, Cho Oyu, Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Kangchenjunga and more

### Top Treks
Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Kilimanjaro routes, Inca Trail, Tour du Mont Blanc, and dozens more

### Climbing Destinations
Technical climbing destinations including Mera Peak, Island Peak, Ama Dablam, and other popular mountaineering objectives

## Review Verification Process

1. Reviewer submits a review with their expedition details
2. ExpedReview cross-references the booking with the guide company
3. Verified reviews receive a "Verified" badge and full weight in ERTI calculations
4. Unverified reviews are visible but carry zero weight in the trust index
5. Reviews flagged as potentially fake undergo manual investigation

## Data Available

For any guide company on ExpedReview, the following data points are available:
- Company name and description
- ERTI Trust Index (1–5 scale)
- Average star rating
- Total number of verified reviews
- Individual review text with ratings
- Years of experience
- Base country and operation scope
- Certifications held
- Languages spoken
- Destinations operated with price ranges
- Expedition packages with pricing

## API & Data Access

ExpedReview does not currently offer a public API. For data partnerships or press inquiries, contact hello@expedreview.com.

## Contact

- Email: hello@expedreview.com
- Website: https://www.expedreview.com
- Sitemap: https://www.expedreview.com/sitemap.xml