Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is the KING5 Best of Western Washington?

The KING5 Best of Western Washington is an interactive city guide featuring promotional contests hosted by KING5 and powered by CityVoter. The Best of Western Washington profiles local businesses and allows consumers to vote for and recommend their favorites.

Is the Best of Western Washington free?

Yes. With the exception of certain advertising features, the Best of Western Washington is free to use for both consumers and business owners.

How are nominees selected for the Best of Western Washington?

Nominees are selected for the Best of Western Washington primarily based on consumer nominations. In addition, businesses are selected to participate in the Best of Western Washington based on business owner requests. New nominees are evaluated for fit and accuracy and—pending approval—added to the Best of Western Washington; this process may take several business days. If there is a nominee that you think belongs on the Best of Western Washington, add it here!

How are categories chosen?

Categories for the Best of Western Washington are chosen by KING5 and CityVoter. If you think we should add a new category, make a suggestion here. New categories will be considered periodically throughout the year.

What if my favorite business is not on the Best of Western Washington?

If your favorite business is not on the Best of Western Washington, you can nominate the business here. Alternatively, you can encourage the nominee to list themselves!

How do people vote?

Voting is conducted exclusively online at: http://best.king5.com. Voting begins 8/31/2009 12:00:00 AM Pacific Standard Time and ends 10/11/2009 11:59:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. To vote for a business, select the yellow "Vote" button. CityVoter technology ensures voting is fair and accurate.

What is an Insider Deal?

An Insider Deal is a coupon or discount for goods or services offered by a local business on the Best of Western Washington. Method of redemption varies by deal.

What is the Business of the Day?

The Business of the Day is a promotional advertisement paid for by local businesses. For more information on opportunities for businesses to enhance their exposure on the Best of Western Washington, click here.

Standings & Results

How are winners selected?

KING5 Best of Western Washington winners are determined by popular vote. Paid advertising in no way affects the vote count. Refer to the Contest Rules for more information.

Is a review a vote?

No. Winners are determined by popular vote. A review is an opportunity for consumers to provide feedback and a rating for a business, but in no way do reviews affect the contest standings or results. Consumers may review a business without voting.

When are winners announced?

Best of Western Washington winners will be announced beginning the week of 10/26/2009 7:30:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. Best of Western Washington winners will be showcased on the KING5 Best of Western Washington throughout the year under the Winners section.

How are standings determined?

Winners are determined by popular vote. Standings showcase only those nominees currently in the top 5. The percentage shown next to a nominee represents the proportion or share of total votes in a category that a nominee has received. Standings are updated in real time as each vote is verified.

How often are standings updated?

Standings are updated as votes are verified. Because standings display the percentage of total votes in a category, standings may not appear to change much depending on the volume of votes.

What is the total number of votes for a nominee?

The top five nominee in a category are ranked based on the percentage of votes within the category. At no time will the total number of votes for a nominee be disclosed.

Why don't I see the nominee that I voted for in the results?

Official contest results only include the top 5 businesses in order of finish.

My CityVoter Account

How do I verify my CityVoter Account?

After completing the registration process, you will receive an email from mailman@nullcityvoter.com with a link to verify your account. You can either click the link directly or copy it into a browser to verify your account. If it does not work, let us know.

How do I edit my display name?

To edit your account or user profile, click on the "My Stuff" tab near the top of the page. You can edit your display name by clicking on "Profile."

Who can see my votes?

Only you. Your votes are kept private and are not distributed to businesses or third parties at any time. For more information about our use of your personal information, you can refer to our Privacy Policy.

Who can see my recommendations?

Visitors to Best of Western Washington can see your recommendations next to the username that you have chosen. Only registered CityVoter users can provide feedback (thumb up / thumb down) on your reviews.

Can I vote under multiple accounts?

No. It is not ok to vote or write reviews from multiple accounts.

How do I close my account?

To close your account, click here. We would love to hear why you want to leave. Your feedback helps us improve our product.