Training Example: Durham County Council – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

Industry Context — Common BS Fingerprints in Government, Municipal & Public Sector
Generic Claims: serving our community, committed to transparency, working for you, building a better future for all…
Red Flags: no published financial data, no meeting minutes or decision records, contact information that leads to dead ends, claims of transparency without published data…
Semantic Drift Patterns: homepage claims digital-first but most services require in-person visits, transparency commitment but no meeting minutes published, citizen engagement language but no consultation mechanisms, claims efficiency but service pages show bureaucratic processes…
Proof Expectations: published budgets and financial statements, council meeting minutes and agendas, performance metrics and service delivery data, FOI response rates and timelines…

Durham County Council

(https://durham.gov.uk) 📸 Data Snapshot: June 20, 2026

Analyze the raw signals below. How would a machine score this business’s credibility?

Here are the exact signals captured from up to six pages of the site — the same raw inputs the evaluation engine analyzed. They are grouped by signal type so you can weigh each the way the machine does.

🏗️ Semantic Structure — heading hierarchy & page identity (Info Density · Commodity Fingerprint)
HOMEPAGE Home – Durham County Council (https://durham.gov.uk)
Title

Home – Durham County Council

H1 Home
H2 Newsflash text
H2 Where I live
H2 Services
H2 Latest news
H2 Our council services
H2 Veterans, farmers and have your say
H3 Council Tax
H3 Bulky waste
H3 Bin collections
H3 Waste permits
H3 Street lighting
H3 Potholes
H3 Planning
H3 Pest control
H3 Fly tipping
H3 Garden waste
H3 Armed forces and military veterans
H3 Support for farmers and rural communities
H3 Have your say
HEADER_HEADING_REPEATED Apply, report and pay online – Durham County Council (https://durham.gov.uk/article/13850/Do-it-online/)
Title

Apply, report and pay online – Durham County Council

Meta

How to apply, report and pay for things through our website.

H1 Apply, report and pay online
H2 Newsflash text
H2 Benefits and support
H2 Births, deaths and marriages
H2 Business rates and support
H2 Children and families
H2 Council
H2 Council Tax
H2 Crime and community safety
H2 Emergencies
H2 Environmental issues
H2 Health and safety
H2 Housing
H2 Jobs and careers
H2 Leisure and culture
H2 Libraries
H2 Licensing
H2 Planning, property and environment
H2 Roads and transport
H2 Rubbish and recycling
H2 Schools and learning
H2 Social care and health
HEADER_HEADING_REPEATED Have your say – Durham County Council (https://durham.gov.uk/article/1163/Have-your-say/)
Title

Have your say – Durham County Council

Meta

Find out how you can get involved and have your say on a whole range of issues.

H1 Have your say
H2 Newsflash text
HEADER_HEADING_REPEATED Where I Live – Durham County Council (https://durham.gov.uk/MyDurham/)
Title

Where I Live – Durham County Council

H1 Where I Live
H2 Newsflash text
H2 Where I live
📝 The Narrative — clean text per page (Info Density · Semantic Coherence)
HOMEPAGE (https://durham.gov.uk) Home – Durham County Council
Page location

Home

[H1] Home

[H2] Where I live

Find your local news and council services such as bin collections, schools, libraries, your councillor and more. Remember address (Do not use on a public device) View details

[H2] Services

[H3] Council Tax
Pay your Council Tax, apply for discounts and manage your account.
[H3] Bulky waste
Request the collection of white goods or bulky household items.
[H3] Bin collections
Bin collection days, order a new bin, tell us your bin hasn't been collected.
[H3] Waste permits
Get a waste permit to visit a HWRC with a van, pickup, minibus or trailer.
[H3] Street lighting
Report a problem with a street light.
[H3] Potholes
Report a pothole or subsidence on a road or pavement.
[H3] Planning
Planning applications and advice.
[H3] Pest control
If you've got a pest problem in your home, we can help.
[H3] Fly tipping
Report fly tipping.
[H3] Garden waste
Find out more about garden waste collections for 2026. View all Do It Online services

[H2] Latest news

See more
(Go to Latest news)

[H2] Our council services

Council Tax Rubbish and recycling Schools and learning Benefits and support Roads and transport Leisure and culture Emergencies Social care and health Planning, property and environment Libraries and archives Children and families Environmental issues Housing Crime and community safety Jobs and careers Births, marriages and deaths Elections and voting

[H2] Veterans, farmers and have your say

[H3]
Armed forces and military veterans

Our Armed Forces Outreach Service (AFOS) can provide help and support to all Forces personnel, reservists, Veterans and their families.

[H3]
Support for farmers and rural communities

Advice, guidance and support available for farmers and rural communities.

[H3]
Have your say

Find out how you can get involved and have your say on a whole range of issues.

See more
(Go to Veterans, farmers and have your say)
2359 chars
SUB-PAGE (https://durham.gov.uk/article/13850/Do-it-online/) Apply, report and pay online – Durham County Council
Page location

Home

Contact the council

Apply, report and pay online

[H1] Apply, report and pay online

How to apply, report and pay for things through our website.

If you already have an account, you can Log on to your account.

You can go to our e-store to pay for it.

[H2] Benefits and support
Housing benefit - claimHousing benefit - evidence of rentHousing benefit - landlord paymentsHousing benefit - overpaymentsHousing benefit - register for an account
[H2] Births, deaths and marriages
Birth - book to registerBirth, death or marriages certificates
[H2] Business rates and support
Business Improvement District - payBusiness rates - discounts and reliefBusiness rates - payBusiness rates - register for an accountRetail business supportSupplier Incentive Programme
[H2] Children and families
Children and Young People's NetworkChildcare funding - 2 year olds - applyChildcare funding - 2 year olds - providersChildcare funding - 3/4 year olds - providersFamily Hubs eventsFunding for care experienced children and young people projects (Next Venture Fund)Supported lodgings
[H2] Council
Chairman - invite to an eventCommunity grantsComplaintsComplaints - councillorsCompliments and suggestionsDamage or injury by usFraudInformation rights - CCTV footageInformation rights - correction/removal of informationInformation rights - Environmental Information RegulationInformation rights - Freedom of InformationInformation rights - personal data to other public organisationsInformation rights - what we hold about youLocal Government Pension SchemeOverview and Scrutiny meeting feedbackResearch approval
[H2] Council Tax
Council Tax - direct debitCouncil Tax - discounts and exemptionsCouncil Tax - empty and second homesCouncil Tax - paperless billingCouncil Tax - payCouncil Tax - register for an online accountCouncil Tax Reduction Scheme - claim
[H2] Crime and community safety
Anti-social behaviourFires (illegally lit)Needles, syringes and drugs equipmentRubbish in gardens and yards
[H2] Emergencies
Salt binsSandbags
[H2] Environmental issues
Abandoned shopping trolleysAbandoned vehiclesComplaints - dustComplaints - lightComplaints - noiseComplaints - odoursComplaints - smokeReport a dangerous structureDead animal removalDog foulingDog poo bins (see Dog fouling)Electric vehicles - try before you buyFlypostingFlytippingGraffitiLitter bins (see Littering)LitteringPest controlStray dogsStray horses
[H2] Health and safety
Chimneys height (Clean Air Act)Complaint - foodFood Hygiene Rating SchemePetroleum Environmental Search
[H2] Housing
Affordable housing - discount market salesBoilers, insulation and energy saving adviceEmpty properties - residentialGarage rentHomelessnessLandlords - avoid evicting tenantsLandlords - house repairsLandlords - selective licensing
[H2] Jobs and careers
Council apprenticeshipsCouncil vacanciesDurhamLearn coursesEmployability DurhamVolunteering - libraries, countryside, sport, tourism, leisure, local history
[H2] Leisure and culture
AllotmentsBorrow a Bike schemeBushes, hedges, flowerbeds and shrubsGrass cuttingGrazing site rentPark events - Hardwick ParkPark events - Wharton ParkSeating and benches
[H2] Libraries
Books on Wheels serviceEbooks and eaudiobooks - borrowLibraries - join and borrow
[H2] Licensing
Animal feedAnimal licence - dog breedingAnimal licence - exhibition of animalsAnimal licence - hiring out horsesAnimal licence - kennels and catteries, dog day care and home boardingAnimal licence - selling animalsCharitable collections in the streetDomestic petroleum storageEvent safetyPersonal alcohol licenseScaffoldingSkipsStreet tradingTables and chairs on the pavementTaxi driver issueTaxis - change of registrationTaxis - declare a changeTaxis - driver licenceTaxis - notice of surrenderTaxis - operator licenceTaxis - vehicle licence
[H2] Planning, property and environment
Assets of Community ValueComplaint - planningCouncil land and properties for sale mailing listGypsy, Roma, Traveller sites - unauthorised encampmentPlanning applications - commentPre-planning adviceTree and hedges - removal or pruning
[H2] Roads and transport
Access busBus pass - change of addressBus pass - disabled personBus pass - older personBus pass - replacementBus stops and shelters - issuesBus stops and shelters - timetable issueCar park issueDigging up roadsDurham Road User Charge ZoneFlooding, drains and gulliesIllegally parked vehicleInstalling apparatus under a road, verge or pavementManhole and utility coversParking - yellow linesParking bay suspensionParking fine - challengeParking fine - pay/appealParking permits - Durham CityPotholes and road subsidencePublic Rights of Way and countryside path issueRoad closure - eventRoad closure - roadworksRoad markingsRoad or footpath obstructionsRoad safety training - cyclistsSchool road safety schemesRoad signsRoad signs (illuminated) (see Street lighting) Roadworks issueSafety barriers, walls, fences, bridgesSchool crossing patrolsSpillages on roadsStreet lightingStreet naming and numberingStreet parties and bunting (see Road closure - event)Traffic calming schemesTraffic lights and road crossingsVehicle access over kerbsWalls and fences
[H2] Rubbish and recycling
Bulky waste (large items) collectionChristmas tree collections (only available for booking in December)Commercial waste collectionsHousehold bins - new, replacement and repairHousehold bins - request helpHousehold bins not emptiedGarden waste - exchangeGarden waste - enquiry (see Garden waste - join)Garden waste - joinSingle use plastics pledgeSpilt rubbish from our bin lorriesWaste permit - general household/gardenWaste permit - hazardous
[H2] Schools and learning
Alternative education directoryEarly years development trainingEducation penalty notices (school attendance) - payHome to school transport - appealHome to school transport - concessionary seatsHome to school transport - post-16Home to school transport - primaryHome to school transport - secondaryHome to school transport - Special Educational NeedsSchool places - appealSchool places - change of primary school due to moving houseSchool places - primarySchool places - secondarySchool places - Ukrainian refugees
[H2] Social care and health
Blue badgesCare and support services - payCare Connect alarm serviceCare Connect alarm service - VAT relief  (see Care Connect alarm service)Deaf or hearing impaired registerHome from hospital service
6498 chars
SUB-PAGE · THIN (https://durham.gov.uk/article/1163/Have-your-say/) Have your say – Durham County Council
Share this page

[IMG: Share this page on Facebook]

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[IMG: Share this page on Twitter]

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Print

[IMG: Print this page]

Print this page
213 chars
SUB-PAGE · THIN (https://durham.gov.uk/MyDurham/) Where I Live – Durham County Council
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[IMG: Share this page on Facebook]

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[IMG: Share this page on Twitter]

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Print

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Print this page
213 chars
🛡️ Trust Signals — reviews, proof links, trust-theatre flag (Trust & Proof)
3Review mentions (all pages)
4External proof links (all pages)
PageReviewsProof links
/ (home) 0 1
/article/13850/Do-it-online/ 3 1
/article/1163/Have-your-say/ 0 1
/MyDurham/ 0 1
🔗 Identity & Technical Layer — schema JSON-LD: identity chains, entity gaps (Identity & Authority)
Homepage schema
{
    "image": {
        "@type": "imageObject",
        "width": 1200,
        "height": 630,
        "contentUrl": "https://durham.gov.uk/image/47139/dcc-logo/jsonld.png?m=1752827279570",
        "caption": "DCC LOGO"
    },
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "name": "Home - Durham County Council",
    "description": "",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "url": "https://durham.gov.uk/"
}
/article/13850/Do-it-online/
{
    "image": {
        "@type": "imageObject",
        "width": 1200,
        "height": 630,
        "contentUrl": "https://durham.gov.uk/image/47139/dcc-logo/jsonld.png?m=1752827279570",
        "caption": "DCC LOGO"
    },
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "name": "Apply, report and pay online - Durham County Council",
    "description": "How to apply, report and pay for things through our website.",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "url": "https://durham.gov.uk/OnlineServices"
}
/article/1163/Have-your-say/
{
    "image": {
        "@type": "imageObject",
        "width": 1200,
        "height": 630,
        "contentUrl": "https://durham.gov.uk/image/47139/dcc-logo/jsonld.png?m=1752827279570",
        "caption": "DCC LOGO"
    },
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "name": "Have your say - Durham County Council",
    "description": "Find out how you can get involved and have your say on a whole range of issues.",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "url": "https://durham.gov.uk/haveyoursay"
}
/MyDurham/
{
    "image": {
        "@type": "imageObject",
        "width": 1200,
        "height": 630,
        "contentUrl": "https://durham.gov.uk/image/47139/dcc-logo/jsonld.png?m=1752827279570",
        "caption": "DCC LOGO"
    },
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "name": "Where I Live - Durham County Council",
    "description": "",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "url": "https://durham.gov.uk/WhereILive"
}

Your Diagnosis

Before revealing the machine’s verdict, predict the BS score for each signal. Higher = more BS (more fluff, less verifiable substance). Drag each slider, then submit to compare your judgment against the engine.

Information Density 0 / 30
Read the Narrative & headings: do hard facts (prices, dates, numbers) outweigh fluff power-words?
Semantic Coherence 0 / 20
Compare the homepage promise against the sub-page reality. Do they hold the same line?
Trust & Proof 0 / 20
Weigh review mentions against actual external proof links. Claims without verification = theatre.
Commodity Fingerprint 0 / 15
Check headings & narrative against the industry clichés in the setup above.
Identity & Authority 0 / 15
Inspect the schema: is there real Organization/Person identity with sameAs links, or gaps?
Your predicted BS score 0 / 100
💡 Stuck? Reveal the heuristic lens — how the deterministic page-auditor reads each signal (no AI, pure pattern rules)

These are the structural rules a local, deterministic auditor applies — the same lens you can use to judge each signal. They describe what to look for, not this company’s result.

Information Density

Classify each sentence as substantive or hollow. Grounding markers — numbers, currencies, dates, technical units, named entities — outweigh marketing adjectives. When fluff sits right next to hard evidence, the fluff is forgiven.

Semantic Alignment

Pull the main entities out of the H1, then check whether they actually recur through the body. A page that announces one thing and then talks about another drifts. Headings with no real sentences underneath read as pseudo-substance.

Trust & Proof

Count trust words (review, testimonial, rating, verified) against real outbound proof links (Google, Trustpilot, Clutch, G2, Yelp). Lots of trust language with zero verification links is trust theatre. Unlinked logo galleries count against it.

Commodity Fingerprint

Look at how much sentence length varies. Natural writing varies its rhythm; templated or mass-produced copy is statistically uniform. Very low variation reads as commodity content — unless unique named entities break the pattern.

Identity & Authority

Inspect the JSON-LD. Is there an Organization or Person schema, and does it carry sameAs links to real external profiles (LinkedIn, socials)? Missing schema or no identity declaration signals an anonymous entity.

Want to apply this lens yourself? The free BS Indicator Chrome extension runs these heuristic checks live on any page. Bear in mind it is a single-page, deterministic tool — it relies only on pattern rules for the page in front of it and does not perform the cross-page semantic correlation this audit uses, so its readout is a starting lens, not the full verdict.

B
BS Level
Government, Municipal & Public Sector
31.1 Avg BS

Based on 303 businesses audited.

BS Detector

Government, Municipal & Public Sector BS: Durham County Council (durham.gov.uk)

https://durham.gov.uk 📍 Industry: Government, Municipal & Public Sector
14 BS / 100

A rare example of a near-zero-BS website that prioritizes citizen utility over institutional ego. The content is forensic, utilitarian, and entirely devoid of the ‘digital transformation’ jargon that usually plagues municipal service sites. It functions as a tool, not a brochure.

Info Density Power-words vs. Substance ratio.
3
10% BS
Semantic Coherence Homepage promise vs. Sub-page reality.
1
5% BS
Trust & Proof Verifiable evidence vs. Trust Theatre.
5
25% BS
Commodity Fingerprint Detection of industry clichés/templates.
4
27% BS
Identity & Authority Expert verifiability & Schema depth.
1
7% BS

Improve schema_json to include GovernmentOrganization type with specific ‘address’ and ‘contactPoint’ properties to enhance technical authority. Populate the ‘Have your say’ and ‘Where I Live’ pages with body text; currently, they show ‘insufficient’ data which creates a minor content-hierarchy gap. Include a ‘Performance and Audit’ section in the footer to provide the ‘proof_expectations’ (budgets and FOI rates) identified in the industry dictionary. Standardize heading markers on service pages to ensure [H2] and [H3] levels consistently categorize the alphabetical service lists.

The site perfectly aligns with the Government, Municipal & Public Sector category. The content is strictly limited to public service delivery, legislative compliance (Council Tax, Licensing), and community maintenance (Potholes, Bin collections).

“The low score of 14 is driven by the extreme utilitarian nature of the content. The only points lost were in Trust and Proof and Commodity Fingerprint due to the absence of external performance audits in the crawled text and the use of standard government web templates. The site is a benchmark for low-BS service delivery.”

Verified Analysis Date: June 20, 2026 © 1EuroSEO Independent Evaluator — Non-Sponsored Result