Our Methodology

Data Sources

Address-Level Coverage Data

Publicly available broadband availability data covering every US address we have data for. Includes provider name, technology type (fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless), maximum download/upload speeds, and business/residential classification.

User Speed Tests

Real-world performance data from our speed test tool. We compare actual speeds against advertised speeds to identify providers that consistently deliver on their promises.

Community Coverage Reports

User-submitted reports on actual service quality, provider satisfaction, and coverage accuracy. Helps fill gaps in official filings and provides real-world context.

User Reviews

Verified user reviews with 1-5 star ratings, pros/cons, and helpful voting. One review per user per provider ensures quality over quantity.

Provider Scoring

We do not assign subjective editorial ratings to ISPs. Instead, we present objective data and let users make informed decisions based on:

Speed: Maximum download and upload speeds available at the user's address, based on provider-reported availability.

Technology: Connection type (fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless). Fiber is highlighted as the most reliable, future-proof option.

Coverage: Number of providers at an address. More competition generally means better service and pricing.

User Reviews: Aggregate ratings from verified users who have the service.

Real-World Performance: Speed test data comparing actual speeds to advertised speeds.

Equipment Recommendations

Our gear recommendation engine scores products on a 100-point scale based on:

25%

Speed Match

20%

Home Coverage

15%

Device Capacity

15%

Usage Match

10%

ISP Certified

10%

Value

We earn affiliate commissions when users purchase recommended products through our Amazon links. This does not influence which products we recommend — the scoring algorithm is the same regardless of commission rates.

Editorial Independence

FiberFinder is committed to unbiased, data-driven recommendations. Our content philosophy:

Fiber-first: We believe fiber is the best technology for residential internet and highlight it accordingly.

No pay-for-play: Providers cannot pay for better rankings or featured placement.

Transparent affiliate disclosure: We clearly disclose when we earn commissions from product recommendations.

Data over opinion: We present verified data and user feedback rather than subjective editorial ratings.

Frequently Asked Questions

FiberFinder aggregates publicly available broadband data covering address-level service areas, speeds, and technologies for every US provider. We refresh our data regularly and aggregate speed test results from our users and public sources to validate advertised speeds.

We refresh our broadband availability data on a continuous cadence — typically multiple times per year as updated provider information becomes available. Between major releases, we continuously update our analytics, market intelligence models, and user-submitted data (speed tests, coverage reports, reviews).

No. Our scoring algorithm is based entirely on objective data: speeds, coverage, technology type, and user reviews. Providers cannot pay for higher rankings, better scores, or featured placement in search results. Our ISP dashboard product is separate from consumer-facing rankings.

Some rural or newly served areas may have incomplete provider data. We flag these with a data quality indicator and encourage users to submit community coverage reports to fill gaps. We never fabricate data — if we don't have information for an area, we say so.

FiberFinder AI

FiberFinder Intelligence