How does cleansing work?

Cleansing is a process performed by a team of specialists. When a location is created on the platform, the information is sent to our cleansers. They use a bespoke program to assist with formatting and validating the data. Once a cleanser has completed his or her review, the location will be marked "cleansed" and the data will be queued for submission to the directories.

For most directories, especially those which lack strict data standards, we will send them uncleansed data. Once the cleansing process is finished, these directories will then be updated with the cleansed data.

Some directories have more strict data quality standards and rules. For these directories, we prefer to wait until the cleansing process has been completed before submitting. This ensures the listing will not get flagged by the directory for additional review (which causes publication delays), or worse, get blacklisted and removed.

What are the benefits of cleansing?

Here are the most important advantages of the cleansing process:

• It optimises a location's findability & SEO,
• It ensures that business information adheres to both directory guidelines and industry standards, resulting in faster publication rates, and
• It increases our credibility with the directories, resulting in data being preferred over other providers.

What is looked at during the cleansing process?

Cleansing focuses on formatting and validating location data to make sure it is ready for syndication. Below is a brief overview of what is done during this process:

• Format validation - We check character lengths, adjust or remove illegal values (ex: legal abbreviations, special characters), ensure consistent capitalization, etc.
• Content Formatting - We format all address elements, check image formats, remove legal abbreviations, etc. 
• Content Validation - We validate all address elements, ensure that city, state & countries match, validate postal codes, etc.
• Rooftop Pin Placement  - We ensure rooftop pin placement and confirm that the coordinates represent the given street address of the location.

In addition to making cosmetic improvements to location data, cleansers will also be validating the actual existence of a business. To assist with identifying and confirming information, cleansers will view official sources related to the business (ex: official websites, owner-managed sources) and consult available street & satellite imagery.

When does a location get cleansed?

There are 2 instances when a location will get cleansed:

1. When a location is first created on the platform, and
2. When changes are made to data fields deemed crucial for locating or identifying the venue (ex: change of name, street address, or website). 

If changes are made to non-address-related fields (ex: phone number, opening hours, social media profiles, etc.) automatic validations allow the location to bypass cleansing and be submitted without the need for further review.

How do I request cleansing?

You do not need to request cleansing. It is a service that is automatically triggered.

Which directories require cleansing?

All directories require cleansing.

We will not submit your location data to directories until the location has been cleansed. Please keep in mind that this requirement results in a delay in submitting and publishing to these directories. 

For Google & Facebook, we can submit uncleansed data at the time of connection. The listing will be then updated with the cleansed data once the location finishes the cleansing process. 

How long does cleansing take?

Cleansing should take up to one week to complete.

How can I see if cleansing is completed?

To see the cleansing status of a location, go to the location's Basic Details. On the right side of the page, under the Profile Completeness section, you will see a section containing the cleansing status. Below are the two possible statuses: