How Ranking Works on Cleann.org

Cleann.org is built to help customers find the most relevant detailing businesses for the service they need and the location they’re searching in. Rankings are not global, and they are not pay-to-win. Visibility is driven by service relevance, geographic accuracy, and contextual quality signals.

This article explains how ranking works today, what factors matter most, and how optional tools expand visibility without compromising fairness.

Default Service Zones (Free Accounts)

By default, every free business profile is assigned a service zone during setup.

• Each free profile receives a 35-mile radius service zone

• The zone is centered on the ZIP code provided at onboarding

• A profile is eligible to appear only within that geographic area

If a search happens outside this zone, the profile will not appear. Rankings on Cleann.org are location-specific, not universal.

How Cleann.org Search Indexes Work

Cleann.org provides structured search indexes to web crawlers based on:

• City

• State

• Service keyword groupings

We maintain an extensive internal keyword dictionary that maps real-world search phrases back to what we refer to as an umbrella keyword (or master keyword).

For example, searches like:

• “ceramic coating near me”

• “paint protection coating”

• “ceramic coating in Anaheim”

may all resolve to the Ceramic Coating umbrella keyword for a specific city and state.

This structure allows search engines to consistently associate businesses with the services they actually provide, in the locations they actually serve.

Umbrella Keywords and Free Profiles

Free profiles may select up to five (5) umbrella keywords, representing the core services the business offers.

These keywords:

• define which services a business can rank for

• determine which search indexes the profile appears in

• work together with the service zone to control visibility

If a service is not selected, the profile will not rank for it—regardless of general reputation.

What Determines Profile Visibility

Profile visibility is driven by two primary conditions:

1. The service being searched for must match a selected umbrella keyword

2. The search location must fall within an active service zone

When someone searches online, search engines connect that query to one of Cleann.org’s city-and-service indexes. A profile appears only when both conditions are met.

The Three Primary Ranking Factors

Once a profile is eligible to appear, ranking within that search index is driven by three main factors.

1. Service Relevance

A business must explicitly provide the service being searched for. Profiles do not rank for services they do not offer.

2. Contextual Ratings

Reviews on Cleann.org are evaluated in the context of the service provided.

For example:

• A business known for airplane detailing should not outrank a dedicated car detailer for car detailing—even if its overall rating is higher.

• Reviews strengthen ranking only for the services they are associated with.

This ensures customers see businesses proven for the specific service they are searching for.

3. Proximity to the Search Location

Distance still matters.

• Businesses closer to the search location are generally favored

• Cleann.org does not control which geographic index a search engine chooses

• We optimize indexes to prioritize contextual relevance over raw proximity whenever possible

Expanding Visibility and Strengthening Rankings

Cleann.org provides optional tools—both free and paid—to help businesses expand legitimate reach and strengthen ranking signals without turning the platform into pay-to-win.

This includes plan-based visibility expansion, review tools, and future sponsorship options.

Pro and Pro+ Plans (Coming End of Q1)

We expect to release Pro and Pro+ business plans by the end of the first quarter.

These plans expand where a business can appear, while preserving how ranking works.

Pro Plan

• Monthly or yearly subscription

• Unlocks five (5) additional umbrella service keywords (10 total)

• Broadens eligibility across more keyword-based searches

Pro+ Plan

• Unlocks unlimited umbrella service keywords

• Includes up to three (3) service zones, each a 35-mile radius

• Enables legitimate visibility across multiple geographic markets

Paid plans increase eligibility and reach, but do not override:

• service relevance

• contextual reviews

• proximity signals

Review Tools (Free and Paid)

Reviews play an important role on Cleann.org—but only when they’re earned naturally and contextually.

To support this, Cleann.org provides free and paid tools for requesting reviews responsibly.

These tools include lightweight guidance to help businesses understand:

• when it may not be socially appropriate to ask

• when it’s more ideal to ask

• how to avoid request fatigue or pressure

Because reviews are tied to the service actually performed, they strengthen ranking only where they apply.

Cleann.org does not support review gating, incentivized reviews, or spam-driven tactics.

Search Index Sponsorships (Future)

At the time of this writing, search index sponsorships have not yet been implemented.

When introduced:

• sponsored placements will be clearly labeled

• they will be visually distinct from contextual rankings

• organic results will remain relevance-driven

Final Perspective

Ranking well on Cleann.org is not about gaming the system.

It’s about:

• accurately representing your services

• serving customers well

• earning service-specific feedback

• expanding reach responsibly when appropriate

Cleann.org exists to ensure the right business appears for the right service in the right location.