The rank nobody can buy

When you search on VOWÉA, the order you see venues in is decided by how well each one fits your search, not by how much it pays us. A venue cannot buy a higher position. It cannot pay to appear above a better match. There is no premium tier that quietly reorders the page.

What the ranking looks at

Three things, weighed together:

• How good and honest the listing is. A venue that has filled in its real prices, capacities, photos and the details couples ask about ranks above one that has left the page half empty.
• How well it responds. A venue that replies quickly and consistently to enquiries ranks above one that leaves couples waiting. This is a multiplier, not a box to tick, so a strong old reputation cannot hide a venue that has stopped answering.
• How close it is. A venue near where you want to marry ranks above one an hour further away, all else being equal.

What the ranking never looks at

Money. There is no signal in our ranking that a venue can pay to improve. We have written a test into the software that checks this on every single change, and it stops the release if any paid signal ever finds its way in. It is not a promise we make in marketing and quietly break in code. It is enforced by the code.

Then how do we make money?

Venues pay us only when a real couple sends them an enquiry and asks to be put in touch. They pay per lead, the same price whether they are first on the page or fortieth. Because the price is the same everywhere, there is nothing to gain from buying position, which is exactly why we can promise the ranking is honest. You can read the full explanation on how pricing works.

The result is simple. When a venue appears near the top of your search, it is because it is a good match for what you asked for. Nothing else.