Our method

How we read a portal.

A transparent, repeatable and reviewable process applied to every published review.

01 — Scoring framework

Six weighted pillars, one fixed scale

Every published score decomposes into the same six parts. Expand a pillar to see what editors record and how much it moves the final figure.

Weight distribution

Weights are fixed across the whole library so two portals reviewed months apart stay comparable.

  • The distance between landing on a portal and reaching the first playable screen, measured across browsers on a standard domestic connection.

    Time to first screenCross-browser stabilityRegistration friction

    The distance between landing on a portal and reaching the first playable screen, measured across browsers on a standard domestic connection.

03 — Editorial process

From the queue to a published review

The sequence is fixed, so nothing about the order of publication depends on anything other than the queue.

  1. Day 1Step 01

    Selection

    A portal enters the queue when it is publicly accessible, names its publisher and documents what it offers. Reader suggestions join the same queue with no priority attached.

    OutputEntry brief
  2. Day 2–5Step 02

    Hands-on session

    Editors run structured sessions on desktop, tablet and phone, logging load times, interface behaviour and how far the content carries the first few hours.

    OutputSession notes
  3. Day 6–9Step 03

    Scoring & write-up

    Notes are mapped onto the six weighted pillars. The review is drafted with strengths, limitations and the type of reader the portal actually suits.

    OutputPublished review
  4. Every 6 monthsStep 04

    Revision cycle

    Every published entry is revisited on a rolling six-month schedule, and sooner when a portal changes materially. Updates carry a dated note.

    OutputDated update
Average review time
9 working days
Devices per review
3 minimum
Revision window
Every 6 months