Editorial & Data Policy
Exactly how ClinicCompass content is produced, where our numbers come from, and how clinics are listed and ranked — so you can judge our information on its merits.
Who writes ClinicCompass
ClinicCompass guides are written and maintained by John Blackwood, the site's founder. Every guide carries a byline and a "last reviewed" date. We update guides when pricing, technology, or clinical guidance meaningfully changes.
Treatment content is medically reviewed by Dr. Victoria Taraska, MD, FRCPC (Board-Certified Dermatologist).
Where our clinic data comes from
- Ratings and review counts are pulled directly from Google via the official Google Places API and refreshed periodically. We display them unmodified, with a link to the clinic's Google profile. We never write, edit, or synthesize reviews.
- Clinic details (address, phone, website) come from Google Places and the clinic's own website. Treatment offerings are detected from each clinic's public website and marked unverified until the clinic confirms them — every listing says so and advises confirming directly with the clinic.
- Clinic photos are sourced from the clinic's Google Business Profile and attributed accordingly.
Where our cost data comes from
Treatment cost ranges are editorial estimates of typical U.S. market pricing, compiled from published clinic price lists, manufacturer guidance, and industry pricing surveys, then adjusted for each city's market level (premium metros run higher; value markets run lower). Ranges are rounded and intentionally conservative. They are planning estimates — not quotes — and every page says so. Canadian cities are shown in CAD at an approximate conversion.
How clinics are ranked
- "Best med spas" lists are ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score of each clinic's real Google rating and review volume — high ratings backed by many reviews rank above perfect ratings with few. The ranking is editorial and cannot be bought.
- Featured placements: clinics can pay to be pinned to the top of city and treatment directory listings. Featured listings are visually labeled, and paid placement never changes a clinic's rating, review data, or position in our "best of" rankings.
Ownership disclosure
ClinicCompass's founder also operates ScaleHaven, a marketing agency serving aesthetic clinics and med spas. The two businesses are run separately: whether a clinic is a ScaleHaven client has no effect on its ClinicCompass listing, rating display, or position in our editorial rankings — those are governed solely by the rules above. Featured placements remain the only paid product on this site, and they are always labeled.
Medical disclaimer
ClinicCompass is a directory and information resource, not a medical provider. Nothing on this site is medical advice. Candidacy, safety, pricing, and results for any treatment can only be determined by a licensed practitioner who has examined you. Always consult one before booking.
Corrections
If you find an error — a wrong clinic detail, an outdated price, a rating that doesn't match Google — email hello@thecliniccompass.com. We review correction requests promptly and update the page and its "last reviewed" date.