Better Business Bureau

International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
Founded1912; 112 years ago (1912)
Type501(c)(6) non-profit organization
52-1070270
FocusConsumer protection
Industry self-regulation
Headquarters4250 N Fairfax Drive, Suite 600 Arlington, Virginia U.S. 22203
Area served
United States and Canada
ProductsBBB Business Reviews
Accreditation for businesses
Dispute resolution services
ServicesRating site
SubsidiariesBBB Wise Giving Alliance[1]
Revenue
$215 million
Expenses$20 million
Employees2,500
Websitebbb.org

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is an American private, 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization founded in 1912. BBB's self-described mission is to focus on advancing marketplace trust,[2] consisting of 92 independently incorporated local BBB organizations in the United States and Canada, coordinated under the International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB) in Arlington, Virginia.[3]

The Better Business Bureau is not affiliated with any governmental agency. Businesses that affiliate with BBB and adhere to its standards do so through industry self-regulation. To avoid bias, BBB's policy is to refrain from recommending or endorsing any specific business, product or service[4] even though they still advocate for business interests.

The BBB rating system uses an A+ through F letter-grade scale. The grades represent BBB's degree of confidence that the business is operating in good faith and will resolve customer concerns filed with BBB. BBB's ratings are explained on its Ratings Overview page. BBB employees evaluate a business's behavior when assigning a rating.[citation needed]

According to BBB, nearly 400,000 local businesses in North America were accredited as of July 2022.[5] BBB prospects successfully vetted businesses to become dues-paying 'accredited businesses' that pledge and continue to adhere to the BBB Code of Business Practices.[6] In return, BBB allows accredited businesses in good standing to use its trademarked logo in marketing materials.

  1. ^ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  2. ^ "The Better Business Bureau Vision, Mission & Vision". Council of Better Business Bureaus. Archived from the original on December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  3. ^ "Council of Better Business Bureaus – U.S. BBB". Bbb.org. Archived from the original on August 28, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  4. ^ "The Better Business Bureau FAQs and Information". U.S. BBB. Archived from the original on November 5, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  5. ^ "CBBB Annual Reports". BBB. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  6. ^ "BBB Code of Business Practices". U.S. BBB. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2013.