Content Policy
mybest is a service that aims to enrich our users’ lives by resolving issues in the area of selection and helping users choose what’s best for them.
Here, we would like to introduce mybest’s content production and service operation policies.
mybest’s Five Promises
1. We will always prioritize the user above all else.
Our service simply cannot exist if it doesn't benefit our users. When creating our content, our guides always put themselves in our user’s shoes, imagining what sort of needs they might have, in order to provide the full scope of information that may help resolve any issues regarding situations where users want to select something. Moreover, we also aim to create a user-friendly service that can be used by anyone around the world, old and young.
2. We support fair competition.
When conducting business, we believe that it’s important to maintain fairness. Particularly because mybest aims to resolve problems regarding making selections, we believe that it is imperative that we maintain a high degree of neutrality. Additionally, while this goes without saying, we respect and comply with various laws and regulations. Even if we did manage to grow without adhering to governing laws and rules, that growth would be short-lived, and we would fail to gain the trust of our users. We promise to do our utmost to always strive to maintain neutrality and ensure compliance with various laws and regulations.
3. We will strive to provide accurate information.
We believe that one of mybest’s biggest strengths is the reliability of the information we provide, stemming from our high degree of neutrality. mybest will work diligently to ensure that no inaccurate or misleading information is provided to our users. We also understand that what users are most interested in, above all else, is to minimize the inherent risk involved in making a choice. We will continue to make sure that any information that is relevant to the health and lives of our users is accurate information based on reliable evidence.
4. We will continue to provide reliable content and reliable advertising.
mybest always clearly distinguishes the content we create from advertisements to eliminate any advertisements that may potentially betray our users. We believe that stealth marketing, also known as buzz marketing or uncredited advertisements not only hurt the credibility of the internet advertising market, but it also undermines our user’s act of making selections.
5. We respect diversity.
mybest honors diversity in values and strives to create content that is free from bias toward any particular ideology, belief, or value system. With the explosion of information brought about by the arrival of the Internet, society is rapidly diversifying. In order to solve problems in the area of selection in the modern era, we believe that it is critical that we respect the values of all users. We always take the utmost care in making sure people of all walks of life are treated and represented equally. If any of the viewpoints or identities we portray in contents are incorrect, please don't hesitate to contact us via our Contact Us form so that we may correct it.
mybest’s Content Creation System
mybest's content is created, edited, and reviewed by the Content Business Department, which specializes in various fields such as Lifestyle Goods, Health, Kitchen, Cosmetics, Hobby, Appliances, Finance, and Services. Each team consults with external experts and legal advisors as needed.
Head of Quality Control
Iori Asanuma
Asanuma joined Shinyusha, a publisher of books and magazines, in 2012. In 2019, he became the editor-in-chief of MONOQLO, a magazine that tests and reviews various products. In 2020, he became editor-in-chief of Kaden Hihyo ("Home Appliances Review"), a magazine providing comprehensive appliance information. He joined mybest in May 2021. After serving as the director of the Content Department, he became the person in charge of the newly established Quality Control Department. He oversees everything from proposal writing to content editing across various genres.
Head of Content Production Department
Yuka Sato
Inspired by mybest’s commitment to thoroughly implementing a user-first approach, Sato joined the company in 2018 as a second-year professional. At age 24—the youngest in mybest’s history—she was appointed head of the Content Production Department. Over the past four years since joining, Sato has gained experience working in every department at mybest. She leverages her accumulated experience to manage an organization of 100 people. Sato oversees thousands of products at a time and is dedicated to creating a system that verifies all possible products and services that users might choose.
Head of Content Business Department and Manager of Finance and Services Group
Rio Sasaki
Sasaki joined mybest in 2018. After gaining experience as a Content Director in genres such as daily necessities, cosmetics, kitchenware, and food, she became the Manager of the Lifestyle Goods Team in 2020. In October 2022, she was appointed as the Manager of the Finance and Services Team, overseeing everything from proposal writing and verification to content editing. Starting in October 2024, she will assume the role of Department Manager of the Content Business Department, overseeing content operations across all genres.
Manager of Physical Products Group, Content Business Department
Kohei Otsuru
Otsuru joined mybest in 2020, primarily responsible for producing testing and review content for home appliances. He later served as Manager of the Home Appliances Division in the Content Department and then as Manager of the Content Marketing Team in the Marketing Department. Starting in October 2024, he will oversee the physical products domain within the Content Business Department. He is committed to initiatives to maximize user traffic and optimize the selection experience to help more users overcome their decision-making challenges.
Head of Business Promotion Department
Satoko Iwasa
After graduating, Iwasa joined an IT venture company, where she was consistently involved as a business manager in all aspects, from launching new services to their operation. In 2022, she joined mybest Inc. as the Human Resources Department Manager, leading recruitment and organizational strategy design. Starting in October 2024, she will be responsible within the Business Promotion Department for company-wide operational improvements and business promotion from a holistic perspective.
Head of Quality Control
Comment from Iori Asanuma
Our aim is simple: to "provide the best selection experience" for all users. To that end, it is necessary to prioritize the user at all times, expending every resource to optimize the user experience. It is essential to dig deeper into users' needs, not only the actualized but also the latent ones. It is also essential to be "fair" to products and manufacturers. "Fair" in this context means a thorough user-first mindset that meets the following four conditions: (1) not influenced by advertisements, (2) having deep knowledge of the target profile, (3) conducting unbiased coverage and comparative verification, and (4) providing accurate information. If any of these goes unmet, the "best selection experience" becomes the "worst selection experience." We'll win users over after they experience the "best selection" for themselves after using mybest's recommended products. If we can build this trust, they will continue to refer to our content in the future. We will strive to continually update our content to become such a service.
Head of Content Production Department
Comment from Yuka Sato
At mybest, passionate members specializing in each field conduct comparisons and verifications based on sophisticated know-how, systems, and facilities to bring about the "best selection experience". Our strength lies in our thorough in-house verification. We have built an operation that can constantly manage and verify thousands of products and obtain various information by trying out worldwide products and services. On top of that, our mission is to continue creating a unique database that covers all the products and services that users can choose from, accumulating original information that can only be found on mybest. Not only rice cookers but also rice mills, not only cameras but also binoculars, not only "things" but also "experiences" such as travel and education. We will continue to support every choice by expanding our coverage, leading users to ask in surprise, "You even verified that?" mybest presents all options to allow users to make the best possible choices for themselves. We are continually improving our operations each day.
Notable Work Experience and Certifications of our Guides
Experience:
Our editorial staff hail from varied backgrounds, with expertise in many careers. Examples include bank teller, baby products sales staff, computer sales staff, fitness instructor, nurse, outdoor goods sales staff, camera sales staff, mobile phone sales staff, etc.
Certifications
Besides their previous careers, many of our editorial staff have specific qualifications that certify their expertise in various fields. While many of these may be unique to Japan, some examples include home appliances advisor, disaster prevention expert, pharmaceutical law administrator, Level 1 Cosmetic Ingredients Test license, cosmetic concierge, AFP certified person, 2nd grade Certified Skilled Professional of Financial Planning, securities sales representative type 1, beer taster, child seat instructor, DIY work advisor, etc.
mybest’s Content Creation Process
Here is the general flow of how our Testing and Review Contents are made.
1Proposal
Before we test products and write our contents, we conduct thorough research on a product or the users that may be looking for that product and create a proposal.
2Production Planning Meeting
The proposed content is discussed with the Quality Control Department and the relevant team manager, where the direction of the content is finalized.
3Expert Interviews
We then interview experts in specific product genres to research accurate information that our users may find valuable.
4Testing
We conduct multiple tests for each product to objectively evaluate specific aspects of each product. We then compile our evaluations to create the mybest Score.
5Writing
Guides who specialize in their respective fields will then write an content based on the testing results, information acquired through interviews with experts, and their expertise. Moreover, to provide accurate information to our users, in addition to firsthand information gathered from interviews and product testing, we also reference reliable sources for further information.
6Proofreading and Pre-Publication Checks
Proofreaders and experts conduct rigorous final checks to ensure accurate and error-free information before publication.
7Publication
Even after publication, each content is updated regularly. If an content contains incorrect information, we promise to correct it promptly.
Please contact us here if you find any errors in the information.
Our Experts
At mybest, we interview experts for each product and incorporate valuable and accurate information for users into our content. Here are some notable experts who assist us with their expertise and oversight.
mybest’s Legal Compliance Structure
mybest takes on the responsibility of evaluating a wide range of products and services from a fair and appropriate standpoint. We strive to create content that safeguards users’ lives and property while delivering valuable information.
Advertising Policy
All content is directed and produced by mybest
Although mybest may receive products and services free of charge from manufacturers and businesses when conducting verification, manufacturers and businesses are not involved in the direction or production of content in any way.
Advertisements do not affect the rankings or content
We may place related advertisements in our content post-publication, but the ranking and content are not affected by the presence or absence of advertising.
Regarding Our Use of Advertisers
Some content may be published with the support of advertisers. Such content is labeled as "PR" to indicate that it is an advertising project.
Regarding Advertising Revenue
mybest earns money from affiliate services and advertising. When the products introduced in the content are purchased, mybest may receive a portion of the sales.
Partners
Amazon.com, Inc.
How We Evaluate Products and Services
Here we will explain the evaluation methods behind the ratings that form the basis of our Testing and Review Contents.
What is the basis of our ratings?
At mybest, our Guides formulate their ratings based on the results of our tests, converted into a 5-point score. The mybest Score is calculated from the rating for each verification criterion, and the ranking is created based on these evaluations.
How We Calculate Ratings
We mainly use three methods of evaluation, with the most appropriate one being used for each test.
1. Quantitative Evaluation
We determine a standard value and assign a rating based on the actual measured values for verifications that measure quantitative values, such as weight, rate of temperature increase, and rate of change in skin moisture content. Rather than taking the average or median measurement of all products, we determine an absolute threshold that Guides who have used all products can say they are satisfied with and use this as the baseline value.
Example: “Lightness” of Cordless Vacuums
We set the baseline value according to the standard that “ideal product weight is less than 1.5kg" and rate each product based on how it compares to this.
- Product A: 1.5 kg: Baseline value
- Product B: 1.0 kg: Higher rating than the baseline value
- Product C: 1.6 kg: Lower rating than the baseline value
2. Point-based Evaluation
We determine ratings via a point-weighting system in tests where more criteria can be evaluated as being better, such as richness of functions, portability, and storage capacity. We list the elements to be scored, determine the criteria for how many are “satisfactory,” and evaluate the scores based on the presence or absence of these elements using the point scoring method based on the baseline values.
Example: “Full-featured” Rice Cookers
Each product receives points for having the following features.
- Keep-warm function
- Quick cooking function
- Cooking modes other than rice and porridge
- Ability to cook different brands and textures
3. Qualitative Evaluation via Tester Survey
We conduct evaluations using qualitative tester surveys for tests based on human senses and feelings, such as taste, usability and finish. Testers are recruited by specifying target attributes (age and gender) for each product. They are asked to use the product and rate their satisfaction within the context defined by the Guide. We conduct evaluations with as many people as possible to minimize skewing due to individual sensibilities.
Example: “Comfort” of Earplugs
Five testers wore earplugs and evaluated their satisfaction with the comfort based on the following points of view:
- Does it feel like a foreign object?
- Does it hurt?
- Is there a gap between the ear and the earplugs?
How the mybest Score is Calculated
The mybest Score is calculated using a geometric weighted mean of the ratings for each test. A weight is assigned to each test, and the mybest Score is calculated by geometrically averaging each weighted rating.
[Sample Evaluation Score Breakdown 1]
Test A: 4.2 points (50% of overall score)(50% of overall score)
Test B: 3.7 points (30% of overall score)(30% of overall score)
Test C: 4.3 points (20% of overall score)(20% of overall score)
Geometric Average
If we evaluate a product via the three criteria of Test A: High output, Test B: Functionality, and Test C: Lightness, a product that is too heavy is not practical, no matter how high its output and functionality are. Suppose the mybest Score is calculated as an average by addition (i.e., weighted average). In that case, such an unsuitable product may receive a high evaluation. This would not be a reliable or accurate portrayal of the product.
[Sample Evaluation Score Breakdown 2]
Test A: High output 4.2 points (50% of overall score)(50% of overall score)
Test B: Functionality 3.7 points (30% of overall score)(30% of overall score)
Test C: Lightness 0.0 points (20% of overall score)(20% of overall score)
Weighted Average
Product may receive high scores despite having major flaws
Using a geometric average instead of a weighted average in calculating the mybest Score can prevent products with fatal flaws from receiving inaccurately high evaluations.
Geometric Average
Using a weighted geometric mean to calculate the mybest Score allows us to evaluate each product as appropriately as possible.
Development and Design of Evaluation Methodologies
The rating evaluation method, which forms the basis for our rankings, was developed and designed in collaboration with Economics Design, Inc., which implements economics into business practice. Economics Design, Inc. Dr. Sakai, a professor of economics at Keio University and an authority on statistics, as well as others at Economics Design, shared their knowledge with us to develop and design an evaluation method that is as fair and transparent as possible, based on zero-based thinking about what an evaluation method should be.
mybest Evaluation Methodology Development and Design Advisor / Professor, Faculty of Economics, Keio University
Toyotaka Sakai, PhD
Director, Economics Design, Inc. Doctorate in Economics from the University of Rochester. His research centers on the aggregation of various evaluations into one. Notable publications include "Doubting Majority Rule" (Iwanami Shoten), "Deciding Economics" (Diamond Publishing), and "Market Design" (Chikuma Shobo). His works have been translated into many languages throughout Asia.
mybest Evaluation Methodology Development and Design Advisor / Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Komazawa University
Yoko Kawada, PhD
Economist, Economics Design, Inc. Doctorate in Economics from Keio University. His research centers on the design of criteria for measuring the "goodness" of things. Notable publications include "How to Measure the 'Goodness' of Society" (Mitsubishi Economic Research Institute) and "Cosine Similarity and the Borda Rule" in Social Choice and Welfare (2018).
Comment from Dr. Toyotaka Sakai
There are many economic indicators and studies on well-being in economics. For example, GDP is a measure of a country’s wealth, and the Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality. Whether these indicators measure wealth or inequality requires closely examining their definitions.
Expressing “goodness” with a score is actually a complicated task. It requires knowledge of economics and functional equations.
Our scoring methodology references the Human Development Index and incorporates a weighted geometric mean. We believe this allows us to express “good” fairly and to make the calculation procedure transparent. There are many services out there that provide scores. Still, we are convinced that this method we have designed with such consideration is one of the first of its kind.
Management Company
CEO
Toru Yoshikawa
Company Name
mybest, Inc.
Established
October 2016
Corporate Information
mybest, Inc. is a consolidated subsidiary of LY Corporation.
In June 2020, mybest formed a capital and business alliance with LY Corporation (formerly Z Holdings), which owns Yahoo Japan Corporation. We believe that by leveraging the group’s combined strengths and the user information it possesses, it will be possible to match users with more precise options, enabling significant advancements in our services.