Client reviews as a financial planner

We understand that reviews are a critical part of selecting the right financial advisor. That’s why our goal is to provide consumers with transparent, accurate, and trustworthy feedback from verified clients of as many advisors as we can. Want to know what sets Valinor apart and how to write reviews that help others? Read below to find out!  

How Are Valinor Reviews Different?  

Every review on Valinor is submitted by real clients. We include 3 levels of verification on each review:

1. Client level verification using LinkedIn or an Advisor Code
2. Advisor level verification, so advisors can verify that only real clients are leaving reviews all documented so the SEC has a record of an advisors responses.
3. Valinor review moderation team where our team screens reviews for derogatory or inflammatory content.

A client is asked to provide information verifying they’re a real client of the advisor, the advisor is then given 14 days to verify the review comes from a real client. Advisors are held to SEC regulations that prevent them from being untruthful about who’s a client and who’s not. Finally Valior’s review moderation team audits each review to ensure proper SEC compliance is followed.

A Symbiotic relationship with the SEC

Valinor has a symbiotic relationship with the SEC. Our team rely’s on the Marketing Rule to provide guidelines and enforceable restrictions around gathering reviews and testimonials.
Valinor leverages that regulatory environment to enable the collection and use of reviews for
Financial Advisors. This relationship is paramount for maintaining the integrity and
trustworthiness of the Valinor platform.

For example, the SEC prohibits “cherry-picking” clients to ask for reviews. This ensures that when advisors gather reviews on Valinor, their entire client based is asked for a review, giving consumers the most accurate view of an advisors work.

Reviews tailored to Financial advisors

Valinor’s review form is built specifically to collect a fair and balanced representation of an advisor. Most review sites simply use a text box to ask for a review, resulting in low quality, uninformative reviews that can’t be relied upon for decision making. Valinor’s review form ask specific questions about specific services, giving consumers a granular look at where each advisor excels and gives advisors detailed feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement. Advisors cannot post reviews about themselves or manipulate feedback in any way.  

Representative Feedback: Since we do not allow advisors to hide or delete reviews. Valinor ensures we present a balanced sample covering positive, negative, and neutral experiences so that consumers get an unbiased understanding of potential advisors.

SEC Required Disclosures- Each Valinor review is tagged with the 4 necessary SEC disclosures.

1. The reviewers relationship to the advisor – are they a current client, former client or other?
2. Was the reviewer compensated to write the review? If so, how much?
3. Any Material Conflicts of Interest
4. Any Additional Disclosures

These disclosures follow the reviews around, ensuring advisor compliance and giving consumers context behind the review content. Valinor also gives reviewers the opportunity to include more detailed background information if they choose.  

What Is a Valinor Review?

Advisors can ask clients for a review or a client can find their advisor and leave a review on Valinor on their own.  Once moderated, these reviews are published on the advisor’s profile to help others make informed decisions. Alongside each Valinor Client Review you’ll find the reviewers SEC disclosures and additional background information if applicable.

How can I leave a review for my Financial Advisor?

Your advisor may ask you to leave a review on Valinor and send you a specific review link via email. Alternatively, clients can find or add their advisor and leave a review by following this link: https://valinorfinance.com/review-your-financial-advisor

Does Valinor Only Post Positive Reviews?  

No! At Valinor, we aim to create a reliable resource that reflects a wide range of experiences clients have with their financial advisors. Whether your review is positive, negative, or neutral, it will be published as long as it meets our guidelines. Advisors are prohibited from influencing reviews or retaliating against clients who leave negative feedback. If an advisor pressures you to modify or withhold your review, please contact us immediately.  Additionally, if your experience with an advisor does change, you’re always able and encouraged to update your review to reflect your experience.

Does Valinor Moderate Reviews?

Yes, we carefully moderate all reviews to ensure SEC compliance.

Are There Instances When Reviews May Not Be Posted?  

We’re dedicated to transparency, but reviews must adhere to SEC regulations to be posted on the site. To increase the chances of your review being posted, avoid:

• Profanity or Offensive Language  
• Personal Information (e.g., full names, phone numbers, email addresses)  
• Pricing Details related to service costs
• Unverified Claims about financial accuracy or specific outcomes  
• Promotional Content unrelated to the advisor or financial experience  

I Submitted a Review, Why Hasn’t It Been Posted Yet?

All reviews are moderated by real people which can take a few days. Advisors are also given 14 days to add any necessary conflicts of interest or disclosures that may be required by the SEC in order for the review to remain compliant.  Thank you for your patience!  

How Can I Write a Helpful Review?

Want to write a review that truly helps others? Follow these tips!  

• Keep It Relevant: Highlight the most critical aspects of your experience that you would want to know as a client.  
• Answer Key Questions: Would you work with this advisor again? This is a simple yet powerful way to convey your overall impression.  
• Be Concise but Detailed: A short paragraph or two with clear and specific points is ideal.  
• Share Useful Details: Consider including things like advisor expertise, transparency in communication, what they actually did for you, etc… Take some time to think back on your experience with the advisor.
• Be Honest: Write authentically based on your own experience, your review matters. 

By leaving thoughtful reviews, you’re helping millions of others find the right financial advisor and building trust and transparency into the financial services space.