How Does CBRB Select Businesses?

One of the most common questions businesses ask after hearing about the Canadian Business Review Board (CBRB) is:

"How does CBRB select businesses?"

This article explains the CBRB review process, how businesses are selected, and the difference between business selection and optional membership.

Selection Comes Before Membership

A common misconception is that businesses become recognized simply by purchasing a membership.

That is not how the Canadian Business Review Board (CBRB) operates.

Businesses are reviewed first. Only businesses that meet CBRB's review standards are selected.

Once a business has been selected, it may choose whether it wishes to participate in CBRB's optional membership program.

Selection and membership are two separate steps.

What Does CBRB Review?

Every business is evaluated using publicly available information together with CBRB's internal review criteria.

While every business is unique, the review process may consider factors such as:

• Overall customer satisfaction

• Online reputation

• Consumer feedback

• Professionalism

• Consistency of service

• Publicly available business information

• Business history where available

• Commitment to serving customers

The purpose of the review is to identify businesses demonstrating a strong commitment to professionalism and customer satisfaction.

Does Every Business Qualify?

No.

Not every business reviewed is selected.

Only businesses that satisfy CBRB's review standards are invited to participate.

This helps ensure that businesses recognized by CBRB have demonstrated positive qualities during the evaluation process.

Does Every Selected Business Receive Anything?

Yes.

Every business selected by the Canadian Business Review Board receives a complimentary Standard Digital CBRB Best Businesses in Canada Badge at no cost.

Selected businesses may display this complimentary digital badge on their:

• Website

• Social media pages

• Email signatures

• Digital marketing materials

• Other promotional channels

Receiving the complimentary Standard Digital Badge does not require purchasing a membership.

What Is Optional Membership?

After a business has been selected, it may choose to participate in one of CBRB's optional membership programs.

Membership provides additional promotional and verification services that may include:

• Official Verification Certificate

• Custom Verification Badge

• Award Certificate

• Custom Award Badge

• Business Profile Page

• Directory Listing

• Search engine optimization (SEO) opportunities

• Social media promotion

• Marketing assets

• Additional brand awareness initiatives

Businesses decide whether these optional services are valuable for their organization.

There is no obligation to become a member.

Why Does CBRB Offer Membership?

Like many private business organizations, CBRB provides ongoing professional services that require resources to develop and maintain.

Membership helps support services such as:

• Website development

• Business profile management

• Directory maintenance

• Certificate production

• Verification materials

• Marketing campaigns

• Customer support

• SEO initiatives

• Digital promotions

Membership fees support these optional services rather than determining whether a business is selected.

Is CBRB a Government Organization?

No.

The Canadian Business Review Board is an independent private organization.

Its purpose is to recognize businesses that meet its review standards while providing optional promotional and verification services for businesses that choose to participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does paying guarantee selection?

No.

Businesses are reviewed before membership is offered.

Selection is based on CBRB's review standards—not on whether a business purchases a membership.

Can a business receive recognition without becoming a member?

Yes.

Every selected business receives a complimentary Standard Digital CBRB Best Businesses in Canada Badge at no cost.

Membership simply provides additional promotional and verification services for businesses that wish to participate further.

Why doesn't every selected business become a member?

Every business has different marketing goals and budgets.

Some businesses choose only to display their complimentary digital badge, while others decide the additional marketing, verification, SEO, and promotional services included with membership are beneficial for their business.

Both decisions are respected.

Transparency Matters

The Canadian Business Review Board believes businesses should have a clear understanding of how its recognition program works.

Businesses are reviewed before membership is offered.

Every selected business receives a complimentary Standard Digital CBRB Best Businesses in Canada Badge, and membership remains entirely optional.

This approach allows businesses to make an informed decision about whether the additional services offered through CBRB align with their marketing and business objectives.

Want to learn more about CBRB? Read our What is the Canadian Business Review Board (CBRB)? guide to learn more about who we are, how businesses are recognized, what every selected business receives, and how our optional membership program works.

Explore the CBRB Best Businesses in Canada 2026 Winners in our directory.

Interested in being recognized? Apply to be considered for the CBRB Best Businesses in Canada. 

For more insights on business recognition, credibility, and growth, visit the CBRB blog.