Methodology
Last updated: November 2026
1. What we look at
For each product we cover, we work through the same set of questions. They are listed below in the order we usually apply them.
1.1 Seller transparency
- Is the company name, a contact method and a business address or registration shown?
- Are the terms, privacy policy and refund policy easy to find and readable?
- Does the checkout match what the sales page says about price, quantity and guarantee?
1.2 What the seller claims
- What does the seller say the product does, and how strongly?
- Does the seller claim to treat, cure or prevent a disease? If so, we treat that as a red flag, because supplements are not allowed to make those claims.
- Are results promised or implied? Are there “guaranteed” outcomes or timelines?
1.3 Ingredients and labeling
- Are all ingredients and amounts listed, or is there a “proprietary blend” that hides doses?
- Are the amounts in the range used in the research the seller cites?
- Does the label include allergen information, directions and warnings?
1.4 Evidence
We compare each claim against published research and note how strong the support is. We use the following simple levels, from strongest to weakest:
| Level | Type of evidence | How we treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Stronger | Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials in humans, using a comparable dose and population | Reported as the best available support, with its limits |
| Moderate | Smaller or shorter human studies, observational studies | Reported as suggestive, not conclusive |
| Weak | Laboratory (cell) studies, animal studies, studies on a different dose or population | Reported as early or preliminary and not as proof the product works |
| None found | No published research located, or only the seller’s own statements | Stated plainly as unverified |
Research on an ingredient is not research on the finished product. We say when a study tested the ingredient, not the product.
1.5 Safety
- Are there known side effects, interactions or groups who should avoid the ingredients?
- Does the seller give safety information, or does it avoid the subject?
- We always recommend speaking with a healthcare professional first. See our Medical Disclaimer.
1.6 Price and value
- What is the real total cost, including shipping, upsells and any recurring billing?
- Is the “discount” real, or is it the normal price presented as a sale?
- How does the price compare with similar products?
1.7 Guarantee and refunds
- How long is the guarantee, and what must a buyer do to use it?
- Are there conditions or fees that limit the refund?
1.8 Customer feedback
We may read customer reviews on independent platforms to spot recurring problems, such as billing complaints. We do not treat testimonials on a seller’s own site as evidence. Reviews are anecdotal, can be fake or incentivized, and do not show that a product works.
2. Red flags we call out
- Claims to treat, cure or prevent disease, or to replace medication
- Promised or “guaranteed” results, or dramatic before-and-after stories
- Fake urgency, such as countdown timers that reset or “only a few left” without basis
- Celebrity or doctor endorsements without proof, or a “doctor” who cannot be verified
- Hidden doses, proprietary blends or missing ingredient information
- Unclear company identity or no working contact information
- Recurring billing that is hard to see at checkout
A red flag does not always mean a product is harmful, but we say so when we see one.
3. How we describe our conclusions
We do not use star ratings or numeric scores, because they suggest a precision we do not have. Instead, we state in words what looks reasonable, what is unproven and what concerns us. We list pros and cons and say who a product might or might not suit. We do not rank products by commission.
4. Limits of this method
- We rely on public information, which can be incomplete, outdated or biased toward the seller.
- We usually do not test products ourselves or verify what is inside a bottle.
- Scientific understanding changes. A conclusion can become outdated.
- We are not medical professionals, and our summaries are not medical advice.
- We earn commissions on some products. See our Affiliate Disclosure and Editorial Policy.
5. Updates
We review pages when sellers change their offers, when new research appears, or when readers report errors. Where it matters, we show when a page was last reviewed. To report an error, email info@thedailysmartinfo.com.
6. Sources
The kinds of sources we use, and the references behind individual pages, are listed on our Sources page.
Related: Editorial Policy · Sources · Affiliate Disclosure