Meritly publishes a public registry of local businesses that meet a 4.5-star review standard

Meritly has published a public registry of more than 9,000 U.S. businesses that meet its published standard of a 4.5-star average across at least 30 public Google reviews. Award holders include Valor Massage of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

TOMBALL, Texas — Meritly, a business recognition service, has published a public registry of more than 9,000 U.S. businesses that meet one published standard: an average rating of 4.5 stars or higher across 30 or more public Google reviews. The registry at meritly.us/browse can be searched by city and by trade, so customers and business owners can see exactly how each award was earned using reviews customers have already written.

Meritly does not take nominations, charge entry fees or use a judging panel. Eligibility is read directly from each business’s public Google rating and review count. Every award holder has its own verification page showing the award, the rating, the number of reviews and a verification code. The page re-checks the business’s live Google record each time it is opened, so a business that falls below the standard stops showing as verified.

Being listed and receiving the award are free. Award holders may display the Meritly seal on their website and printed materials for the awarded year, and may order a printed plaque and framed certificate. No business can pay to appear in the registry.

Among the 2026 award holders is Valor Massage in Fayetteville, North Carolina, recognized as Top-Rated Massage. Its award, issued September 17, 2026, records a 4.8-star average across 258 Google reviews. Its public verification page is at meritly.us/2026/massage-studio/fayetteville-nc/valor-massage. Valor Massage displays its Meritly plaque and framed certificate alongside other recognition at its location.

“People have asked what the Meritly recognition was, and after I explained it and they read the plaque, they said they weren’t surprised. Seeing it alongside the other awards in our display, they felt it fit with the recognition Valor Massage® has already received,” said Brittany Foti, founder and CEO of Valor Massage.

“A Google rating is public, but most people never stop to look at what’s behind it,” said Norm Lanier, founder of Meritly. “The registry puts the standard and the record side by side, so anyone can check how an award was earned, and the check runs again every time the page is opened.”

The registry covers coffee shops, tattoo studios, bakeries, auto repair shops, med spas, dentists and many other trades, with its largest city listings in Chicago, Houston and Dallas. Business owners can check whether their business meets the standard for free at meritly.us. The standard itself is published at meritly.us/about.html.

Meritly recognizes local businesses based on their public customer review record, measured against a single published standard. Meritly is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Google.

###

Media Contact

Company: Meritly
Contact Person: Norm Lanier
Email: Send email
Website: meritly.us
Phone: (832) 810-0092
Title: Meritly