Editorial Policy
IRA Research Hub is committed to providing independent, unbiased research on self-directed IRA providers. This page explains how we produce our content, how we earn revenue, and how we handle corrections and conflicts of interest.
Last updated: March 20, 2026 · View scoring methodology
Editorial Independence
Our rankings and reviews are never for sale. No provider can pay to improve their score, alter their ranking, or influence the content of their review. Affiliate relationships do not affect editorial decisions.
All provider scores are calculated algorithmically from verified data points using our published six-criteria methodology. Score changes occur only when underlying data changes — not in response to commercial relationships.
Our editorial team operates independently from our business development function. No member of the editorial team is compensated based on affiliate revenue generated by any specific provider.
How We Make Money
IRA Research Hub earns revenue through affiliate marketing. When a reader clicks a "Visit Provider" or "Get Started" link and opens an account, we may receive a referral fee from the provider. This fee does not change the cost to the reader in any way.
Affiliate Disclosure
This site contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you click links to partner providers. This compensation does not influence our editorial content, rankings, or reviews. We only recommend providers we have independently evaluated and believe offer genuine value to investors.
We have affiliate relationships with some, but not all, of the providers we review. Providers without affiliate relationships are reviewed and ranked using the same methodology as those with affiliate relationships.
How We Score Providers
Every provider is scored on a 1–10 scale across six weighted criteria. Scores are calculated from verified data collected through direct provider research, regulatory filings, customer service testing, and fee schedule analysis.
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Fee Transparency | 20% | Setup fees, annual fees, trading fees, hidden charges, fee disclosure quality |
| Asset Selection | 20% | Number of supported assets, IRS-approved metals/coins, asset diversity |
| Security & Custody | 20% | Custodian quality, storage type, insurance coverage, audit history |
| IRS Compliance | 15% | IRS-approved custodian, eligible assets, proper reporting, regulatory standing |
| Customer Support | 15% | Response time, support channels, specialist availability, complaint resolution |
| Reputation | 10% | BBB rating, complaint history, years in business, industry recognition |
Data Sources & Verification
Provider data is collected from the following primary sources:
- Direct provider websites and published fee schedules
- IRS Publication 590-A (Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements)
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and complaint data
- FINRA BrokerCheck and SEC EDGAR filings where applicable
- Direct customer service testing (anonymous inquiries)
- Third-party custody and insurance documentation
- User-submitted reviews (verified, not anonymous)
Data is reviewed and updated quarterly, or immediately upon notification of a material change (fee increase, regulatory action, ownership change, etc.).
Investment Risk Disclaimer
Important: Not Financial Advice
All content on IRA Research Hub is for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing on this site constitutes financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Self-directed IRAs — including cryptocurrency IRAs and precious metals IRAs — carry significant risks including market volatility, liquidity risk, regulatory risk, and the risk of total loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a licensed financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney before making investment decisions.
Corrections Policy
We are committed to accuracy. If you identify a factual error in any of our content, please contact us at editorial@iraresearchhub.com. We will investigate and, if warranted, issue a correction within 48 hours.
Material corrections are noted inline in the affected article with a correction notice including the date of the correction and a description of what was changed.