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Better Business Bureau
What Better Business Bureau is
Better Business Bureau (BBB) helps people find businesses and offers business profiles, customer reviews, complaint resolution and alerts when risks emerge. Its online directory connects 140 million users a year with businesses, which can create a Business Profile. Businesses can invite customer reviews and sign in to respond to reviews and complaints. BBB also offers free conciliation, low-cost mediation and binding arbitration to help resolve disputes. BBB Learning, powered by MindEdge, provides hundreds of on-demand business courses. Businesses can create a free listing; those seeking accreditation must have operated for at least six months and continually meet BBB standards, and not all qualify. Accreditation benefits include the BBB Seal, an enhanced profile and the Get a Quote program. Quote requests are sent by email or text according to the business's preference. BBB says accreditation dues do not buy a rating or remove a complaint. Independent local BBBs manage profiles, complaints, reviews and accreditation, and local programs and benefits can vary.
Who it suits
BBB is for consumers looking up businesses and for businesses seeking a directory profile, customer reviews or dispute-resolution options. Accreditation is only an option for businesses that meet eligibility requirements.
What it does well
- Free business listing is available.
- Businesses can respond to reviews and complaints.
- Offers free conciliation and low-cost mediation.
- BBB Learning offers hundreds of on-demand courses.
- Directory connects 140 million users a year with businesses.
What to know first
- Accreditation requires at least six months of operation.
- Not all businesses qualify for accreditation.
- Local programs and benefits can vary.
- Accreditation dues apply, but fees vary by business factors.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free business listing | Eligibility: less than 6 months · BBB.org exposure · no BBB Seal · no Accredited-only search listing | Free |
| BBB Accreditation information | Eligibility: 6+ months · learn about accreditation benefits | Free |
| BBB Accreditation | Annual dues apply; fees vary by factors including business size · Eligibility: 6+ months and meets standards · BBB.org exposure · BBB Seal · Accredited-only search listing · dispute resolution access may vary by location | On request |
As bbb.org lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
BBB combines business listings and consumer-facing information with review and dispute-resolution services. Businesses should check with their local BBB for accreditation details, since eligibility and local offerings vary.
Facts from Better Business Bureau's own pages
- Accreditation features
- Accreditation benefits include the BBB Seal, an enhanced profile, and the Get a Quote program for consumer quote requests. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Business directory
- BBB's online directory connects 140 million users a year with businesses, and businesses can create a Business Profile. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Business education
- BBB Learning is powered by MindEdge and offers hundreds of on-demand courses on business topics. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Consumer services
- BBB provides business profiles, customer reviews, complaint resolution, and alerts when risks emerge to help consumers choose with confidence. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Dispute resolution
- BBB offers free conciliation, low-cost mediation, and binding arbitration to help businesses and customers resolve disputes. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Eligibility
- BBB accreditation requires businesses to have operated for at least six months and continually meet BBB's standards; not all businesses qualify. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1912 · bbb.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Get a Quote limit
- If a business does not respond within 24 hours and the consumer opted to receive multiple quotes, the request may be forwarded to nearby Accredited Businesses in the same industry. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Get a Quote notifications
- Quote requests are sent to the business by email or text, according to its preference. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Local administration
- Independent local BBBs handle business profiles, complaints, reviews, and accreditation in their areas. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Privacy standard
- BBB's accreditation standards require businesses to protect collected data against unauthorized disclosure and fraud and to collect personal information only as needed. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- BBB helps people find businesses they can trust and sets standards for honest advertising and ethical business practices. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Rating distinction
- BBB says accreditation dues do not buy a rating or remove a complaint. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Reviews and complaints
- Businesses can ask customers to leave reviews and log in to respond to reviews and complaints. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- BBB directs businesses to their local BBB for accreditation details and support, and local programs and benefits can vary. · bbb.org, 4 Oct 2026
Where Better Business Bureau stands on Freedom251
- Business Directories#4 of 30