[
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "First Page Sage", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Rank 1 | First Page Sage — 'The Top GEO Agencies of 2026', last updated August 14, 2026; no conflict disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://firstpagesage.com/seo-blog/the-top-generative-engine-optimization-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Genevate", "our_claim": "yes — vertical list featuring itself (law firms)", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Ranks itself #1 of 5 with score 96/100: 'Genevate | Yes | 4.8 | 14/15 | Excellent | ... | 96'. STRONGER than our record — upgrade claim from 'features itself' to 'ranks itself #1'", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.genevate.co/top-geo-agencies-for-law-firms-in-the-us-2026/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Avenue Z", "our_claim": "yes — self-including AEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Avenue Z' with 5-star self-rating; no disclosure. Title: 'Top Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Agencies of 2025' (May 5, 2025)", "evidence_urls": ["https://avenuez.com/blog/top-answer-engine-optimization-aeo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "NoGood", "our_claim": "yes — self-including AEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. NoGood' with score 96.3; no disclosure. 'The Best Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Agencies in 2026' (Apr 25, 2026)", "evidence_urls": ["https://nogood.io/blog/best-answer-engine-optimization-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Animalz", "our_claim": "yes — self-including AEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Animalz'; partial acknowledgment only ('we can't take all the spotlight'). '10 Best AEO/GEO Agencies', updated Oct 20, 2025", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.animalz.co/blog/best-aeo-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Epic Slope Partners", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'#1 Epic Slope Partners — For SaaS-Focused GEO Strategies Backed by Proprietary AI Tools' in 'Top 15 GEO Agencies in 2026 (Reviewed)'; no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.epicslope.partners/buyers-guide/generative-engine-optimization-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Singularity Digital", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Singularity Digital' in 'The Top 12 GEO Agencies for SaaS Companies' (May 26, 2026); no upfront disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://singularity.digital/insights/top-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Directive Consulting", "our_claim": "yes — '25 Best GEO Agencies For B2B'", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Directive Consulting' in '25 Best GEO Agencies Powering Global B2B Growth' (Nov 11, 2025); authored by Directive's own Director of Content Strategy; no disclosure. Note: live check shows itself at #1 — stronger than our 'yes'", "evidence_urls": ["https://directiveconsulting.com/blog/best-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Single Grain", "our_claim": "yes — multiple GEO provider roundups on singlegrain.com", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Search-verified: 7+ self-including GEO roundups live on singlegrain.com positioning Single Grain as 'the clear leader'; no single URL in our record (search-level verification only)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.singlegrain.com/search-everywhere-optimization/11-outstanding-geo-strategy-development-agencies-for-2025-complete-guide/", "https://www.singlegrain.com/search-everywhere-optimization/10-expert-geo-seo-agencies-capturing-local-visibility-in-2025/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "The Ad Firm", "our_claim": "yes — self-including top-GEO-2026 list", "verdict": "UNVERIFIABLE", "evidence_quote": "Page 403s to both WebFetch and browser-UA curl; web.archive.org fetch blocked by tooling. Cannot verify live", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.theadfirm.net/the-top-generative-engine-optimization-geo-agencies-of-2026/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Obility", "our_claim": "yes — self-including B2B GEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Obility' in 'Best GEO & AEO Agencies for B2B SaaS for 2026 and Beyond' (09.08.2025); no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.obilityb2b.com/blog/top-generative-engine-optimization-geo-agencies-for-b2b-marketing/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Omniscient Digital", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 with disclosure", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "#1 in 'The 8 Best GEO Agencies for B2B SaaS Brands in 2026' (Jun 30, 2026). Disclosure verbatim: 'This guide is published by Omniscient Digital. We've included ourselves because we offer GEO services. Every agency on this list was vetted against the same five criteria, including ours.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://beomniscient.com/blog/geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Siege Media", "our_claim": "yes — https://www.siegemedia.com/strategy/best-generative-engine-optimization-agencies", "verdict": "CHANGED", "evidence_quote": "Recorded URL now redirects to siegemedia.com homepage (curl: 200 at https://www.siegemedia.com/ after 1 redirect). Listicle relocated to /seo/best-ai-seo-agencies ('13 Best Generative Engine Optimization Agencies in 2026') where Siege Media is listed first (search-corroborated; direct fetch of new URL also resolved to homepage content). Update URL before publishing", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.siegemedia.com/strategy/best-generative-engine-optimization-agencies", "https://www.siegemedia.com/seo/best-ai-seo-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Grizzle", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 of 6", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Grizzle' of six agencies (Aug 4, 2026). Disclosure: 'While Grizzle appears on this list, we hold ourselves to the same selection criteria as every other entry.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://grizzle.io/blog/best-generative-engine-optimization-agencies-for-b2b"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Optimist", "our_claim": "yes — self-including GEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Optimist – Best GEO & SEO Agency for B2B SaaS' of 7 (Jun 19, 2026). Explicit disclosure: 'the author always ranks themselves first. Guilty.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.yesoptimist.com/best-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Minuttia", "our_claim": "yes — self-including GEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Minuttia' in '10 Best GEO Agencies' (updated Apr 3, 2026); no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://minuttia.com/best-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Omnius", "our_claim": "yes — self-including AEO list", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1 Omnius / 4.9' in '17 Best AEO Agencies To Work With in 2026' (Aug 18, 2026); no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.omnius.so/blog/best-answer-engine-optimization-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Stratabeat", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'#1 Stratabeat' in 'The 10 Best GEO Agencies in 2026' (Jun 22, 2026). Disclosure: 'this list is published by Stratabeat, and Stratabeat is ranked #1 on it. You have a right to be skeptical.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://stratabeat.com/best-geo-agency/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Go Fish Digital", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 of 8", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'#1: Go Fish Digital' of 8 (Jul 23, 2026); only a corrections-contact note, no conflict disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://gofishdigital.com/blog/generative-engine-optimization-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "WebFX", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 with disclosure (+ Stacker syndication)", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. WebFX' with Agency Score 91/100 (Jul 14, 2026). Semi-disclosure: 'While it may sound promotional to include WebFX on this list...'. Stacker-syndication half of the claim NOT re-checked this pass", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.webfx.com/blog/ai/best-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Thrive Internet Marketing Agency", "our_claim": "yes — self-including list + awards itself 97/100", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1 Thrive Internet Marketing Agency ... 97' in 'The 10 Top GEO Agencies in 2026' (updated Aug 21, 2026); no disclosure. The 97/100 self-score appears on this GEO list", "evidence_urls": ["https://thriveagency.com/news/top-generative-engine-optimization-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Digital Elevator", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'Digital Elevator – Best for SMBs and Lean In-House Teams' at #1 in 'The 12 Best GEO Agencies of 2026' (updated Jul 23, 2026); authored by its CEO, no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://thedigitalelevator.com/blog/best-generative-engine-optimization-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "uSERP", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. uSERP' in 'Choose Your AI SEO Agency: Top 7 Compared [2025]'; only footer advertising-disclosure link", "evidence_urls": ["https://userp.io/seo/top-ai-seo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "CSP Agency", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. CSP Agency' in 'Top 8 GEO Agencies for 2026 Ranked by Data' (Feb 4, 2026); no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.csp.agency/blog/top-8-geo-agencies-for-2026-ranked-by-data/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "LSEO", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 in both 2025 and 2026 editions", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. LSEO — #1 Generative Engine Optimization Agency of 2026'; no disclosure. Only the 2026 edition verified live; 2025-edition half of claim unverified", "evidence_urls": ["https://lseo.com/blog/generative-engine-optimization/the-best-generative-engine-optimization-geo-agencies-of-2026/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "EWR Digital", "our_claim": "yes, order-disclaimed — includes itself; page states order is not a quality ranking", "verdict": "UNVERIFIABLE", "evidence_quote": "ewrdigital.com unreachable on check date (ECONNREFUSED via WebFetch and curl); archive fetch blocked by tooling", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.ewrdigital.com/blog/best-aeo-geo-agencies-services/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Percepture", "our_claim": "yes — 'Percepture earns the top spot'", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Verbatim on page: 'Percepture earns the top spot because its generative engine optimization services are not a bolt-on SEO package.' Plus disclosure: 'This article is published by Percepture...' (Jun 11, 2026)", "evidence_urls": ["https://percepture.com/geo-insights/best-generative-ai-seo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Onely", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Onely – Best Overall for Enterprise...' in 'Top 14 Best GEO Agencies in 2026' (Apr 22, 2026). Full disclosure verbatim: 'Onely is the publisher of this article and is ranked #1 below...'", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.onely.com/blog/best-geo-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Kalungi", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Kalungi – Best for Full-Service B2B SaaS Marketing & Fractional CMOs' (Feb 1, 2026); no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.kalungi.com/blog/top-b2b-saas-marketing-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Column Content", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Column Content Studio' in '10 Best B2B Content Marketing Agencies for Growth in 2026' (Dec 2, 2025); no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://columncontent.com/top-b2b-content-marketing-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Column Five Media", "our_claim": "yes with disclosure — ranks itself #1; page says buyers deserve more than a self-serving ranking", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "#1 confirmed; verbatim phrase present: 'buyers deserve more than a self-serving ranking where the publisher quietly puts themselves at number one without acknowledging the conflict' (updated 05/01/2026)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.columnfivemedia.com/best-b2b-content-marketing-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Campfire Labs", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1, states it applies the same criteria to itself", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "#1 confirmed; verbatim: 'We applied the same criteria to ourselves as one of the agencies listed here, including publishing our starting price...' (updated Aug 18, 2026)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.campfirelabs.co/blog/saas-content-marketing-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Hey Digital", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Hey Digital' in 'The 10 best SaaS Demand Generation agencies in 2026'; authored by its CEO; no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.heydigital.co/blog/best-saas-demand-generation-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Impactable", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 of 7", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Impactable' of seven in '7 Best LinkedIn Advertising Agencies'; authored by founder Justin Rowe; no disclosure", "evidence_urls": ["https://impactable.com/blog/best-linkedin-advertising-agencies/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Omni Lab", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1 with disclosure", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. Omni Lab' at #1 (May 2026). Disclosure verbatim: 'We are a paid media agency, which puts us in a strange position writing a guide like this. We are going to try to be genuinely useful anyway.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.omnilabconsulting.com/blog/the-12-best-b2b-paid-media-agencies-in-2026"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "AdConversion", "our_claim": "yes — lists itself first with disclosure that order is random", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Listed first; disclosure verbatim: 'The order is random and doesn't represent a ranking system.' plus 'This article was created by AdConversion... and includes its own services.' (Jun 5, 2026)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.adconversion.com/b2b-ads/best-b2b-saas-marketing-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "Understory", "our_claim": "yes — ranks itself #1", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "#1 confirmed (Jun 17, 2026) with unusually explicit disclosure: 'Yes, we put ourselves at number one. Nearly every agency that writes one of these lists does the same, and few say so out loud. We're saying it.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.understoryagency.com/blog/best-b2b-saas-paid-media-agencies"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "GrowthSpree", "our_claim": "yes — repeatedly ranks itself #1 across own listicles", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'1. GrowthSpree — Best for B2B SaaS...' on its LinkedIn Ads list (updated Jul 23, 2026) with disclosure: 'GrowthSpree publishes this guide and ranks itself first... so discount that placement accordingly'. Multiple further self-listicles confirmed by site search", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.growthspreeofficial.com/blogs/best-b2b-linkedin-ads-agencies-for-saas-companies-in-2026"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "self_listicle", "subject": "SaaS Hero", "our_claim": "yes — lists itself first in 'Top B2B SaaS Demand Generation Agencies' and 'Best B2B Paid Media Agency' pages", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "'#1 SaaSHero (Best Overall Revenue Partner)' confirmed on 'Best B2B Demand Generation Agencies for SaaS in 2026' (updated Jun 23, 2026). CAVEAT: the paid-media-demand-gen-specialists page was reworked (~2026-08-30) into an unranked evaluation framework that features SaaSHero only in the conclusion — cite the demand-gen list, not that page", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.saashero.net/uncategorized/best-b2b-demandgen-agencies-saas/", "https://www.saashero.net/google-ppc/paid-media-demand-gen-specialists/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "tier_inflation", "subject": "The Email Marketers", "our_claim": "own blog claims 'Klaviyo Master Elite Partner' while Klaviyo directory badge reads Platinum Master", "verdict": "RESOLVED", "evidence_quote": "Blog page (last updated 2026-07-27) now claims 'Platinum': 'At The Email Marketers that means a Klaviyo Platinum partnership...' — 'Master Elite' wording is gone. Directory badge confirmed live: 'Platinum Master'. Our dataset note is now STALE — do not publish as a current-inflation case", "evidence_urls": ["https://theemailmarketers.com/blog/what-makes-us-a-klaviyo-specialized-email-marketing-agency", "https://connect.klaviyo.com/the-email-marketers"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "tier_inflation", "subject": "Magnet Monster", "our_claim": "Klaviyo directory badge Platinum Master; profile copy self-describes 'certified Klaviyo Elite partner'", "verdict": "CONFIRMED-INFLATION", "evidence_quote": "Both sides verified on the same live directory page. Badge: 'Platinum Master'. Agency-written profile text: 'As Klaviyo Elite Master Partners, we've worked with some of the world's most ambitious eCommerce brands.'", "evidence_urls": ["https://connect.klaviyo.com/magnet-monster"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "tier_inflation", "subject": "IntuitSolutions", "our_claim": "own about page self-describes 'Elite BigCommerce Agency' while BigCommerce directory tier is 'Partner'", "verdict": "CONFIRMED-INFLATION", "evidence_quote": "Own-site side confirmed: about-page title tag reads 'About IntuitSolutions | Elite BigCommerce Agency'. Directory side: badges shown are Partner/BigCommerce Certified/BigDev Certified — no Elite-tier badge — BUT the (agency-authored) overview text on the directory page also says 'Elite BigCommerce Partner Agencies'. HOLD for a manual badge screenshot before publishing the directory-contrast framing", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.intuitsolutions.net/about/", "https://partners.bigcommerce.com/directory/partner/129603/intuitsolutions"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "tier_inflation", "subject": "Phase2", "our_claim": "drupal.org badge Silver while third-party directories describe it as Gold partner", "verdict": "UNVERIFIABLE-pending", "evidence_quote": "drupal.org organization page fetch timed out on check date; third-party Gold-claim side not re-fetched. Re-verify both sides before publishing", "evidence_urls": ["https://new.drupal.org/phase2", "https://amworldgroup.com/directory/web-development-agencies/phase2-technology"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "tier_inflation", "subject": "Etumos", "our_claim": "Marketo specialist positioning but no Adobe Solution Partner / Marketo LaunchPoint listing found; partnership status not publicly verified", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Live homepage makes NO formal partner-tier claim — only 'Make Marketo work for you' and 'pioneers in the early days of platforms like Marketo and Salesforce'. So the agency itself is not inflating; our hedged wording ('not publicly verified') is accurate. Adobe directory re-check pending (JS-gated)", "evidence_urls": ["https://etumos.com/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "UpBuild", "our_claim": "closed Sept 2023; upbuild.io domain repurposed by an unrelated link-selling operation", "verdict": "CHANGED", "evidence_quote": "Live check: upbuild.io now 307-redirects to itself and returns 504 Gateway Time-out (server: hcdn) — domain is dead/erroring, NOT currently serving link-seller content. Closure claim stands unrefuted; the 'active link-selling operation' wording must be updated to past tense or re-evidenced via archive", "evidence_urls": ["https://upbuild.io"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Big Nerd Ranch", "our_claim": "effectively defunct — sold to Amdocs (2020), folded into Stellar Elements; bootcamps/books sunset June 2024; residual training only", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Signal 1 (live): bignerdranch.com fails to resolve/connect at all — the site is now fully unreachable, if anything stronger than our 'residual training' wording. Signal 2 (press): recorded sources (own farewell post, mjtsai.com) not re-fetched; own-blog source URL is likely dead — swap to an archive link before publishing", "evidence_urls": ["https://bignerdranch.com", "https://mjtsai.com/blog/2024/06/12/thank-you-big-nerd-ranch/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "WillowTree", "our_claim": "acquired by TELUS International Jan 2023; independent brand retired ('WillowTree is now TELUS Digital')", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Signal 1 (redirect): willowtreeapps.com 301-redirects live to https://www.telusdigital.com/willowtree-is-now-telus-digital — the redirect slug is itself the retirement announcement. Signal 2 (press): Businesswire Jan 2023 announcement on file", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.telusdigital.com/willowtree-is-now-telus-digital", "https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230104005128/en/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Metric Theory", "our_claim": "brand largely absorbed into MightyHive/Media.Monks after Jan 2021 S4 Capital acquisition; record lists website as LinkedIn page '(brand absorbed)'", "verdict": "OUR-ERROR", "evidence_quote": "metrictheory.com is LIVE and serving a full standalone agency site: 'Data-Driven Digital Marketing Agency | Metric Theory ... The Performance Digital Marketing Agency ... Contact Us / Careers / Blog'. The 2021 S4/MightyHive acquisition is documented press, but our record's implication that the brand/site is gone is refutable as written. Correct before publishing: website field must be metrictheory.com; reframe as 'acquired 2021; domain still serves a standalone site (freshness unassessed)' — verify whether it is an actively operated brand or a stale zombie site before using it as a dead-brand example", "evidence_urls": ["https://metrictheory.com", "https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/01/04/s4-capital-kicks-2021-with-decoded-and-metric-theory-acquisitions"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Growth Machine", "our_claim": "acquired by MBE Group Jan 2025; growthmachine.com offline (connection refused)", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Signal 1 (live): growthmachine.com DNS resolves (162.255.119.55) but HTTPS connection fails — site offline, matching record. Signal 2 (press): two trade-press acquisition reports on file (not re-fetched this pass)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.growthmachine.com", "https://performanceracing.com/magazine/industry-news/01-30-2025/mbe-group-acquires-growth-machine-content-marketing-agency"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Influence & Co.", "our_claim": "brand retired; influenceandco.com 301-redirects to interodigital.com", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Redirect re-observed live: https://www.influenceandco.com -> https://www.interodigital.com/ (301)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.influenceandco.com", "https://www.interodigital.com/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "ClearVoice", "our_claim": "acquired by Fiverr Feb 2019; clearvoice.com 301-redirects to fiverr.com — brand folded", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Redirect re-observed live: https://www.clearvoice.com -> https://www.fiverr.com/?source=www.clearvoice.com — the ?source=www.clearvoice.com parameter is explicit", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.clearvoice.com", "https://www.fiverr.com/news/clearvoice"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Elevar", "our_claim": "no longer standalone; getelevar.com redirects to Audiense Online product page after Buxton/Audiense chain", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Redirect re-observed live: https://www.getelevar.com -> https://www.audiense.com/products/audiense-online/ (2 hops, final 200)", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.getelevar.com", "https://www.audiense.com/products/audiense-online/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "accelerate agency", "our_claim": "wind-down: accelerateagency.ai 301-redirects to founder Nick Brown's LinkedIn profile despite directories still listing it", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Redirect re-observed live: https://accelerateagency.ai -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-brown-saas-marketing/ (LinkedIn returns bot-block 999, but the 301 from the agency domain is directly observed)", "evidence_urls": ["https://accelerateagency.ai", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-brown-saas-marketing/"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Velocity Partners", "our_claim": "Next 15 merging Velocity with four sibling agencies into 'Pretzl' (full launch Feb 2026); brand sunsetting but site still live", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "velocitypartners.com still live (200, no redirect) — consistent with our record, which already frames this as an in-progress merger rather than a dead site. PRNewswire merger announcement + own blog post on file. Re-check post-Feb-2026 for redirect", "evidence_urls": ["https://velocitypartners.com", "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agencies-agent3-group-publitek-this-machine-velocity-and-twogether-unify-to-form-b2b-marketing-powerhouse-pretzl-302590434.html"], "checked": "2026-08-31"},
  {"claim_type": "dead_brand", "subject": "Cask NX -> Ondaro", "our_claim": "Cask NX rebranded Ondaro in 2026; old ServiceNow partner profile 404s, new ondaro-llc profile live", "verdict": "CONFIRMED", "evidence_quote": "Redirect re-observed live: https://www.casknx.com -> https://ondarowave.com/ (301, final 200). ServiceNow Partner Finder ondaro-llc profile recorded 2026-08-31", "evidence_urls": ["https://www.casknx.com", "https://ondarowave.com", "https://www.servicenow.com/partners/partner-finder/ondaro-llc.html"], "checked": "2026-08-31"}
]