The questions we ask, the models we ask, and the rules we use to count an answer.
We ask each model through its developer API with web search on. The Claude and ChatGPT apps can answer differently, and Model Mirror does not measure either app.
Each pack holds the questions a buyer asks close to a purchase. Category questions do not name you; brand questions do. We fill in your category, your city (or "your area" when you give none) and your name. Question pack version 2026-10-19.
localCategory questions (15):
Who are the best {category} companies in {location}?I need {category} in {location}. Who should I call first?What should I look for when hiring a {category} company in {location}?Who are the most trusted {category} providers near {location}?Compare the top {category} companies in {location}.What does {category} typically cost in {location}?Which {category} companies in {location} have the best reviews?Who is the largest {category} provider in {location}?What questions should I ask a {category} contractor before signing?Which {category} companies in {location} offer emergency service?What are the red flags when choosing a {category} company?Who has been doing {category} in {location} the longest?Recommend a {category} company for a small business in {location}.What is the difference between the top {category} providers in {location}?Who should I avoid when hiring for {category} in {location}?Brand questions (5):
Is {brand} a good choice for {category} in {location}?What do people say about {brand}?Are there any complaints about {brand}?I got a quote from {brand}. Is that a fair price?Is {brand} licensed and insured?saasCategory questions (14):
What is the best {category} tool?What are the top alternatives to the leading {category} software?Compare the best {category} tools for a small team.What is the cheapest good {category} tool?Which {category} tool is best for a solo founder?What {category} tool should I use if I am just starting out?Which {category} tools have the best free tier?What is the most popular {category} software right now?Which {category} tool integrates best with existing workflows?What are people switching to instead of the market leader in {category}?Which {category} tool has the best support?What should I know before buying a {category} tool?Which {category} tools are built for enterprise versus small business?What is the fastest {category} tool to set up?Brand questions (6):
Is {brand} worth it?What do users say about {brand}?What are the downsides of {brand}?Is {brand} better than its competitors?Is {brand} still actively maintained?How does {brand} pricing compare to alternatives?ecommerceCategory questions (15):
Where is the best place to buy {category} online?What are the best {category} brands?Which {category} brand has the best quality?What is the best value {category} brand?Compare the top {category} brands.Which {category} brands ship fastest?What are the best-reviewed {category} products this year?Which {category} brand has the best return policy?What is a good alternative to the most popular {category} brand?Which {category} brands are made in the United States?What should I look for when shopping for {category}?Which {category} brand is best for beginners?What is the most recommended {category} brand?Which {category} brands offer a warranty?Which {category} brands do experts recommend?Brand questions (5):
Is {brand} a legitimate company?What do reviews say about {brand}?Is {brand} worth the price?Are there any complaints about {brand}?Is it safe to order from {brand}?professionalCategory questions (15):
Who are the best {category} firms in {location}?How do I choose a {category} provider?What should {category} services cost?Which {category} firms work with small businesses?Compare the leading {category} providers in {location}.What credentials should a {category} provider have?Who is the most experienced {category} provider in {location}?What questions should I ask before hiring a {category} firm?Which {category} providers offer a free consultation?What are the warning signs of a bad {category} provider?Recommend a {category} firm for a startup.How long does {category} work usually take?Which {category} firms specialize in my industry?Is it better to use a large or boutique {category} firm?Which {category} provider gives the best value?Brand questions (5):
Is {brand} reputable?What do clients say about {brand}?Are there any complaints about {brand}?What does {brand} specialize in?Who are the alternatives to {brand}?Every run also asks:
What is {brand}?We compare names after folding the text: curly and straight apostrophes count as the same, "&" counts as "and", case does not matter, and a name has to match as whole words, so "roof" does not match "roofing". Excerpts in the result keep the original text.
An answer to a category question must use your name as a name. A name that is not an everyday English word (Saatva, Casper) counts wherever it appears. A name that is an everyday word (Purple, Simple) counts when the answer uses it as a name: with its capital letter inside a sentence; in bold, as a link or alone on its line; as a label ("Purple:"); followed by a possessive, a product name or other brand names; or opening a sentence about it that also gives your city, your website or a word from your category outside the name's own phrase. A name of several words counts when it keeps its capital letters. For an online store or software business, the rules above are enough; a local or professional business also needs its city or website in the answer, or a word from your category in a sentence that names you. Brand questions and the name check already give your name, so there the answer must tie it to you instead: your website, your city, a word from your category in a sentence that names you, or two different category words anywhere. For a one-word category, a brand answer may have that word anywhere, when it uses your name as a name. When every word of your name is a word from your category (for example, Blank Apparel selling blank apparel), only your website, or your name written closed up as in a web address, counts.
An answer recommends you when it tells the buyer to use you. A word such as "try", "use", "consider", "check out" or "go with" has to open a clause and come before your name in the same sentence, and "I recommend", "we suggest" and "your best bet is" count too. We reject the sentence when "instead of", "alternatives to", "rather than", "complaints about" or similar words sit between the verb and your name, or when "not", "never", "avoid" or "don't" comes right before the verb. A recommendation counts only when the same answer also names you under the rule above.
An answer links you when your domain, or a subdomain of it, appears in a recommendation link or a cited source. When you give no domain, we leave the linked tier out and say so.
When the model says your name points to more than one thing, and nothing in the answer ties the name to your business, we count a collision and do not count the mention. The name check reports one of: confirmed, collision, mixed, unconfirmed, not named or no answer.
Recommended, named and linked counts use category questions only, so a question that already names you cannot raise your numbers. Brand questions and the name check feed the name check section. Every figure leaves out failed calls, and each count comes with the number of answers behind it. Questions that ask whom to avoid or what warning signs to look for sit outside every figure, because a mention there is no win. A report quotes each answer to them that names you, in its own section.
We list the domains cited in category answers that did not collide with another business and in brand answers we could tie to you. Answers to those steer-clear questions add no sources, because a site cited there may be a complaints site. We drop your own site and its subdomains, and general sites such as wikipedia.org, google.com and youtube.com.
The free check counts as complete when at least 2 of its 3 answers come back. A full report counts as complete when at least 60% of its category answers come back from at least one model.
Models answer the same question differently from run to run. One run is a sample, not a census, so read a difference of one or two answers between two runs as noise. We publish no ranking promise and no score.