Research Reference

Research Data Dictionary

Definitions for ToolixLab AI tool research fields, citation IDs, verification methods, evidence status, score families, and dataset provenance.

How To Cite A Record

Cite the page title, dataset name, citation ID, dataset version, last checked date, and source URL. Example: ToolixLab Research Team, AI Tool Trust Index, citation ID TLX-TRUST-CHATGPT-2026-07, dataset version 2026-07, last checked July 22, 2026.

Download the public research manifest

Core Record Fields

tool_name

The product or AI tool being tracked.

category

The primary software category used for filtering and comparison.

official_url

The vendor homepage or official product URL.

source_url

The source used to verify the record. Prefer official vendor URLs.

last_checked

The date ToolixLab last checked the source.

last_updated

The date ToolixLab last changed the public record.

status

Current record status such as active, inactive, shut down, rebranded, or acquired.

Citation And Provenance Fields

record_id

Stable internal record identifier.

citation_id

Public citation identifier for referencing a specific dataset row.

dataset_version

Dataset release identifier, usually the monthly, weekly, quarterly, or benchmark refresh period.

source_accessed_at

Date the source URL was accessed for verification.

archived_source_url

Optional archived copy used for historical comparison.

verification_method

How the claim was checked: official source, hands-on test, manual review, survey, benchmark, or pending.

evidence_status

Whether the record is verified, needs refresh, pending, or disputed.

data_quality

High, medium, low, or pending confidence based on source clarity and verification depth.

confidence_notes

Plain-language caveat that explains how strongly the record should be trusted.

Score Families

trust_score

Composite trust score across pricing, free-plan usefulness, privacy, commercial rights, lock-in, billing friction, reliability, and volatility.

real_free_score

How useful the free plan is after usage limits, credit cards, watermarks, exports, commercial use, and core features.

lock_in_risk_score

Risk score for exports, data ownership, API availability, cancellation clarity, portability, free-plan dependency, and shutdown risk.

billing_friction_score

Friction score for trials, credit cards, cancellation path, refunds, hidden fees, and auto-renewal clarity.

volatility_score

How often pricing, limits, terms, access, branding, features, or availability change.

reliability_score

Observed generation success, speed, export success, credits consumed, error rate, and quality pass/fail.