How the directory works

Independent or agency — what changes

Who you're actually dealing with, and what that means for you

The words 'independent' and 'agency' get used loosely, but they describe genuinely different experiences. Neither is simply better — they trade different things — and knowing which you are dealing with helps you set the right expectations.

This directory advertises independents, and here is why that matters to you.

Independent: you deal with the person

With an independent, the person you message is the person you meet. That tends to mean the listing reflects reality, the conversation is direct, and what you agree is what happens, because there is no middle layer to relay it through. You are talking to the individual whose evening it is.

Agency: you deal with an intermediary

With an agency, an intermediary handles the arrangement and assigns who you meet. That can mean smoother logistics, but it also adds a layer between the listing and the reality, which is where some bait-and-switch complaints originate. Who you talk to and who arrives are not always the same, so verification matters even more.

Why this directory lists independents

Listings here are written by the person they belong to, contacts go to them directly, and consent is recorded against their own listing. That directness is deliberate: it keeps the listing honest and puts you in touch with the actual person rather than a switchboard. It also means the same checks — verification, reverse image search — do their job cleanly.

Common questions

Is independent safer than an agency?

Not automatically — both can be fine and both can be misused. The advantage of an independent is directness: you deal with the person you'll meet, so the listing and the reality are more likely to match. Your own checks still apply either way.

Guides are general information, not advice about any individual listing. Browse the directory or read the verification standard.