Our standards
A plain-language accounting of where our data comes from, how AI provenance is classified, our commercial independence, and how to correct inaccuracies.
1. Where the data comes from
Vertical Dramas Official compiles records from three primary sources to maintain an independent index:
Platform Catalogues
Direct pulls from public streaming applications (ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax, GoodShort, NetShort, MoboReels, etc.). We capture canonical watch URLs, CDN poster links, and episode counts directly from publisher endpoints.
Editorial & Trade Records
Public production notices, festival listings (The Verties, Vertical Drama Love Fan Awards), distributor corporate filings, and industry research dossiers.
Performer Submissions
Actors and talent agencies directly submit identity verification, headshots, and credit corrections through our authenticated claim workflow.
2. How AI flagging is determined
Every series gets one of three verdicts, and the evidence behind it is shown on its page:
- AI-generated: listed as AI/Anime in the VerticalVault catalogue.
- Live action: at least two named human performers credited on record, or listed as live action by VerticalVault.
- Not yet confirmed: no evidence either way yet.
AI used inside a live-action series (synthetic voices or dubbing, AI-written scripts, face replacement) isn't classified yet; it's on the AI Index roadmap.
Confidence Tiers & Strict Provenance Rule
Where the catalogue or a distributor statement confirms AI usage, we mark the title as Fully AI or AI-assisted. Where evidence is ambiguous, the title defaults to unknown rather than falsely certifying it as human-made. We never guess, and we never hallucinate provenance.
3. Commercial independence: listing is never paid for
Shows, actors, studios, and streaming platforms appear in Vertical Dramas Official because they exist in the public sphere — never because an entity paid for placement, inclusion, or preferential ranking.
No studio, platform owner, or talent agency can purchase a placement badge, manipulate average ratings, suppress verified actor credits, or buy editorial positioning.
Certain external watch links may in the future include standard platform referral tracking. This commercial relationship has zero bearing on what gets indexed, how AI confidence is assessed, or what scores are recorded. If a platform cancels an affiliate program or refuses to work with us, its catalogue remains indexed identically.
4. How to submit a correction
Maintaining accurate records across tens of thousands of micro-episodes distributed globally requires vigilance. We welcome corrections from creators, performers, and viewers:
The contribution form
Use the contribute page (also linked from every series page) to report wrong information, a missing series, platform or cast, or a wrong cover. To dispute an AI verdict, use the right of reply.
Submissions go to the moderation queue. Once checked against the platform catalogue or the performer's own records, the change appears across the site.