How we score
The Methodology
Every score on CourseYogi is produced by a published, versioned rubric, not gut feel, not paid placement, not affiliate bias. This page documents exactly how each category is evaluated so you can trust the rankings and hold us accountable when they change.
The three rubrics
We use three distinct rubrics: one for teacher training programs (YTT), one for continuing education (CEU/YACEP), and one for consumer subscription platforms. Each rubric blends two kinds of dimensions. Dimensions marked data-derived are computed directly from a course’s structured fields (price, hours, accreditation, review ratings) using a fixed formula, and recompute automatically whenever those fields change. Dimensions marked editorial require human judgment (curriculum quality, instructor expertise) and are scored by a reviewer. An editor can override any data-derived score, with a written justification stored on record.
YTT Rubric
Used for 200hr, 300hr, 500hr, specialty, and yoga therapy programs
Accreditation & Credibility
25%Yoga Alliance RYS status, IAYT accreditation, years operating
Value for Money
20%$/hr (price ÷ training hours), payment plan availability
Curriculum Depth & Transparency
20%Published syllabus, hour breakdown by topic, assessment rigor
Learning Experience
15%Live instruction hours, mentor support, cohort vs self-paced format
Outcomes & Support
10%Alumni network, post-certification support, business modules
Trust Signals
10%Trustpilot / Google ratings × log(review count)
| Dimension | Weight | Source | What we measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accreditation & Credibility | 25% | Data-derived | Yoga Alliance RYS status, IAYT accreditation, years operating |
| Value for Money | 20% | Data-derived | $/hr (price ÷ training hours), payment plan availability |
| Curriculum Depth & Transparency | 20% | Editorial | Published syllabus, hour breakdown by topic, assessment rigor |
| Learning Experience | 15% | Data-derived | Live instruction hours, mentor support, cohort vs self-paced format |
| Outcomes & Support | 10% | Editorial | Alumni network, post-certification support, business modules |
| Trust Signals | 10% | Data-derived | Trustpilot / Google ratings × log(review count) |
CEU Rubric
Used for YACEP-approved continuing education courses
YACEP Eligibility & Hour Credit
30%YACEP-approved status, contact hour count
Cost Efficiency
25%Price per credit hour (price ÷ CEU credits)
Provider Credibility
20%YACEP standing, years operating, instructor subject credentials
Topic Depth & Relevance
15%Specificity, published syllabus, learning objectives
Accessibility & Format
10%Self-paced availability, mobile-friendly, captions and transcripts
| Dimension | Weight | Source | What we measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| YACEP Eligibility & Hour Credit | 30% | Data-derived | YACEP-approved status, contact hour count |
| Cost Efficiency | 25% | Data-derived | Price per credit hour (price ÷ CEU credits) |
| Provider Credibility | 20% | Editorial | YACEP standing, years operating, instructor subject credentials |
| Topic Depth & Relevance | 15% | Editorial | Specificity, published syllabus, learning objectives |
| Accessibility & Format | 10% | Editorial | Self-paced availability, mobile-friendly, captions and transcripts |
Consumer Subscription Rubric
Used for platforms like Glo, Gaia, Alo Moves, and similar
Content Library
25%Library size (class count)
Pricing & Trial
20%Pricing model (subscription / one-time / free), price, free trial length
Instructor Quality
20%Named instructors, public reputations, diversity, turnover
Platform Experience
15%App Store & Play Store ratings
Style & Level Match
10%Practice type coverage, live class availability
Trust Signals
10%Trustpilot / Google ratings × log(review count)
| Dimension | Weight | Source | What we measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Content Library | 25% | Data-derived | Library size (class count) |
| Pricing & Trial | 20% | Data-derived | Pricing model (subscription / one-time / free), price, free trial length |
| Instructor Quality | 20% | Editorial | Named instructors, public reputations, diversity, turnover |
| Platform Experience | 15% | Data-derived | App Store & Play Store ratings |
| Style & Level Match | 10% | Editorial | Practice type coverage, live class availability |
| Trust Signals | 10% | Data-derived | Trustpilot / Google ratings × log(review count) |
Keeping rankings honest
Review velocity flagging
Sudden spikes in third-party review counts are flagged for manual review before the trust signal score updates. We do not accept review campaigns as evidence of quality.
Periodic re-verification
Consumer subscriptions are re-verified every 30 days, CEU courses every 90 days, and YTT programs every 180 days. Each listing shows a public last-verified date.
Manual override policy
Editors may override a computed score in exceptional circumstances. Every override requires a written justification stored in the database and visible on the course detail page.
Methodology versioning
Rubric versions are numbered. When weights change, all scores are recalculated against the new version and the old version number is archived. We do not quietly retrograde rankings.
Affiliate disclosure
Non-affiliate courses
We list courses regardless of whether an affiliate relationship exists. Non-affiliate courses are evaluated on identical criteria and can rank #1. Affiliate status does not influence scores. Schools without a public affiliate program may apply for a paid placement badge, clearly marked 'Sponsored', which never alters scoring.
How affiliate links work
When you click an outbound link and enroll, we may earn a commission from the school at no cost to you. We disclose this relationship on every course detail page.
Methodology versioning
Each rubric is versioned. When dimension weights change, all scores are recalculated and the version number increments. Historical versions remain on record. We will never quietly adjust weights to favour a commercial partner.