Company Matching
Understanding how the system matches companies to avoid duplicates.
## What is Company Matching?
When you add a new company, the system searches the global database for potential matches. This helps prevent duplicate entries and allows you to benefit from other agencies' experiences.
## Match Confidence Levels
### High Confidence (90-100%)
**Characteristics:**
- Exact name match + same city/state
- EIN match
- Website match
**Action:** Almost certainly the same company. Link unless you're certain it's different.
### Medium Confidence (70-89%)
**Characteristics:**
- Similar name + same state
- Similar name + similar city
- Name variation (e.g., "ABC Co" vs "ABC Company")
**Action:** Likely the same company. Verify before linking.
### Low Confidence (<70%)
**Characteristics:**
- Similar name only
- Same city, different name
**Action:** Probably different. Only link if you're sure.
## Match Criteria
| Criteria | Score | Notes |
|----------|-------|-------|
| Exact name + city + state | 100 | Strongest match |
| EIN match | 95 | Very reliable |
| Website match | 90 | Strong indicator |
| Similar name + same state | 60-80 | Depends on similarity |
| Same city only | 60 | Weak indicator |
## Tips for Accurate Matching
### Enter Complete Information
- **Company Name** - Use official name
- **City/State** - Helps narrow down matches
- **EIN** - Best identifier, if available
- **Website** - Helps verify identity
### Check for Variations
Companies may be listed as:
- "ABC Title Co" vs "ABC Title Company"
- "XYZ Services" vs "XYZ Services Inc"
- Legal name vs DBA (Doing Business As)
### When in Doubt
- Contact the company to verify details
- Check their website for official name
- Link only if confident
## Related Topics
- [Global Companies](../../../guide/modules/21-Global-Companies.md)
- [Adding Companies](../pages/company-details.md)