Any place ranked on a fromOttawa list may show its current rank with the data date. The badge is free, never sold, and never moves a rank.
Who can show the badge
Any place ranked on a fromOttawa list may show the "Ranked on fromOttawa" badge. It must show the place's current rank and the data date. It costs nothing, we never sell it, and showing it never changes a rank.
Our 56 published lists hold 6,174 ranked rows for 5,308 unique places, all from data pulled 2026-10-29. Each of those places can show its rank. Being in the top 10 is not required. Some lists rank fewer than 10 places: hardware stores rank 7, ramen ranks 8 and donuts rank 9.
The badge is not a vote or a contest award. The Ottawan has run a "Best of Ottawa" contest whose winners were picked by public vote. Our badge has nothing to do with that. It only reports where a place sits on a list built from a published formula.
What the badge shows
The badge carries three things: the list name, the rank, and the data date. For example: rank 1 on our garage door list, data date 2026-10-29. A rank without its date is not allowed, because ranks can change at each refresh.
Ranks come from one formula: score = (v/(v+m))·R + (m/(v+m))·C. R is the Google rating, v the review count, m the list's prior weight (the category's median review count, held between 20 and 200) and C the average rating of qualifying places in the category. A place needs at least 10 Google reviews to rank. The full method is on our methodology page.
The badge says in plain text that the rank is based on public Google Maps ratings. It carries no Google logo. Google's terms say its logos and brand features may be used only when Google expressly approves a request.
How the badge changes at each refresh
We pull new ratings and review counts every 90 days. All 56 lists carry data date 2026-10-29, and the next refresh is due 2027-01-27.
A badge shows the rank as of its data date. After a refresh, the rank and date shown should change to the new ones. If a place drops off a list at a refresh, its right to show the badge ends.
We have not yet released embed code or badge files. We will not describe a live or self-updating badge until one ships. When the code and files are ready, this page will list them.
Rules: free, never sold, never a ranking factor
The badge is free. There is no paid badge and no paid placement of any kind on fromOttawa.
Rank comes from the formula only. Badges, editor notes and social media talk on Reddit, TikTok or Instagram never move a rank. A place that shows our badge gets no boost, and a place that does not show it loses nothing.
Two businesses are connected to the owner of fromOttawa: UpWhiten and HUSH. Neither will ever get a badge. UpWhiten is ranked by the same formula as everyone else if it qualifies, and its row is marked as connected; it is not on any list in the 2026-10-29 data. HUSH is not listed until it has 10 Google reviews, and it is not on the garage door list.
Using the badge correctly
Show the badge only while the rank is current. It should link back to the place's row on the fromOttawa list it came from. Do not alter or recolour the badge, and do not pair it with other logos in a way that suggests we endorse a business.
We have not set rules for print or social media use yet. Ask us before using the badge outside your own website, and keep the data date with any rank you quote.
Report a wrong rank or badge misuse
If a badge shows a rank a place does not hold, or a date that is out of date, tell us through our contact page. If our own data is wrong, our corrections page explains how we fix it.
Questions and answers
How do I get a Best of Ottawa badge from fromOttawa?
Any place ranked on a fromOttawa list may show the "Ranked on fromOttawa" badge with its current rank and the data date. Embed code is not released yet; contact us through the contact page in the meantime.
Does the fromOttawa badge cost anything?
No. The badge is free and is never sold. We do not offer paid badges or paid placement of any kind.
What happens to my badge if my rank drops?
The badge shows your rank as of its data date. At the next refresh, due 2027-01-27, the rank and date shown should change to the new ones. If your place leaves the list, the right to show the badge ends.
Can I use the badge in print or on social media?
We have not set print or social media rules yet. Ask us first, and always keep the data date next to any rank you quote.
Does showing the badge help my ranking?
No. Ranks come from the published formula only. Badges, editor notes and social media mentions never move a rank.
Sources
- fromOttawa place data: 56 lists, 6,174 ranked rows, 5,308 unique places, data date 2026-10-29, refresh due 2027-01-27, min_reviews 10 (lists/*.json, MANIFEST.json). Checked .
- fromOttawa ranking method. Checked .
- Apt613: The Ottawan Best of Ottawa 2021 award winners (contest decided by votes). Checked .
- Google Partner Marketing Hub: trademarks terms and conditions. Checked .