{ "case": "tj-001", "date": "2026-10-14", "collector": "Claude Code agent via its own built-in browser (isolated from TJ's Chrome)", "questions_file": "systems/measurement/questions-tj-001.json", "scoring_rule": "names_tj is true only when the answer identifies this TJ Larkin (Austin-area local media founder) by name. A different TJ Larkin does not count. names_tj_property is true when the answer names WilCo Guide, Local Media HQ, greetform, lightbreak, or tjlarkin.com.", "samples": [ { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 1, "prompt": "Who is TJ Larkin?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "There are a few people named TJ Larkin. Two notable possibilities are:\n\n1. Dr. TJ Larkin — Communication expert\n\nA consultant who helps large companies communicate effectively with employees, particularly during organizational changes and safety initiatives. He holds a Ph.D. in communication from Michigan State University and co-authored the book Communicating Change with Sandar Larkin. \nAIChE\n+1\n\n2. TJ Larkin Jr. — Entrepreneur and media strategist\n\nAn entrepreneur associated with Local Media HQ in the Austin, Texas area. His work focuses on local media businesses, newsletters, advertising, audience growth, and marketing strategy. \nLinkedIn\n+1\n\nWhich TJ Larkin are you asking about? For example, did you see the name on social media, in a business context, in a book, or somewhere else? I can narrow it down.", "citations": [ "https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/tj-larkin", "https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/dr-tj-larkin", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1", "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tjlarkin1_nine-figure-media-companies-are-still-scared-activity-7444405448814022657-XIpS" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "Named as one of two TJ Larkins; asked which one." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 2, "prompt": "Who is TJ Larkin, Austin?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "TJ Larkin is an Austin-area entrepreneur, local media operator, and software builder based in the greater Austin, Texas, region, particularly Williamson County. He is known for building local news newsletters and developing AI-powered software for media businesses. \nTJ Larkin\n+1\n\nTJ Larkin\n\nEntrepreneur · Local media · AI software\n\nFounder of Local Media HQ, a business that helps people build and grow local media publications.\n\nFounder of Texas AI Lab, a Williamson County-based venture focused on practical AI tools and training.\n\nNewsletter publisher: He and his wife launched local newsletters serving communities north of Austin, including Leander and Georgetown.\n\nFormer insurance professional: He says he spent nearly 20 years in insurance before moving into media and technology. \nTexas AI Lab\n+1\n\nWhere to learn more\n\nPersonal website — TJ Larkin\n\nLocal Media HQ\n\nTexas AI Lab\n\nHis public professional profile also appears under the name TJ Larkin Jr. on LinkedIn. \nLinkedIn\n\nAre you asking about him as a potential business partner, his professional background, or something specific involving him in Austin? I can narrow the research to that angle.", "citations": [ "https://tjlarkin.com/", "https://tjlarkin.com/xhtml", "https://localmediahq.com/", "https://www.texasailab.com/", "https://localmediahq.com/podcast/tj-larkin-local-media-six-months", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 3, "prompt": "What is TJ Larkin known for?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "Dr. T.J. Larkin is best known for his expertise in corporate communication, leadership communication, and communicating organizational change. He is an American communications consultant who helps large companies communicate effectively with employees, particularly frontline workers. \nAIChE\n+1\n\nHis main contributions include:\n\nThe book Communicating Change: Winning Employee Support for New Business Goals. Co-written with Sandar Larkin, it explains how organizations can communicate major changes and gain employee support.\n\nA Harvard Business Review article. Their 1996 article, Reaching and Changing Frontline Employees, became widely recognized, with more than 40,000 reprints reported by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. \nHarvard Business Review\n+1\n\nFrontline employee communication. He advocates communicating through employees' immediate supervisors and using clear, credible, direct communication rather than relying on corporate announcements and executive speeches alone.\n\nCorporate safety communication. Through Larkin Communication Consulting, he has worked with major companies, including Boeing, BP, ExxonMobil, General Motors, and Shell. \nAIChE\n+1\n\nIn short: T.J. Larkin is known for showing businesses how to communicate change in ways that employees understand, trust, and act on.\n\nIf you're asking about a different TJ Larkin—for example, someone in entertainment, sports, or social media—tell me where you encountered the name, and I can identify the right person.", "citations": [ "https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/dr-tj-larkin", "https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/tj-larkin", "https://hbr.org/1996/05/reaching-and-changing-frontline-employees" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": false, "names_tj_property": false, "scoring_note": "Described Dr. T.J. Larkin, a different person (communication consultant)." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 4, "prompt": "Who runs WilCo Guide?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "WilCo Guide is run by TJ Larkin, who is listed as its publisher. According to the site's \nAbout page\n, it is an independent local news and community guide covering Williamson County, Texas, including Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, and Hutto. \nWilCo Guide\n\nThe publication says it operates with a small team of local writers who contribute reporting and editorial content. It also states that it is independently run, rather than owned by a media chain or venture fund. \nWilCo Guide\n\nYou can read its \nofficial About page\n for more details about its ownership, editorial approach, and business directory.", "citations": [ "https://wilcoguide.com/about" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 5, "prompt": "Who runs Local Media HQ?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "Local Media HQ is run by TJ Larkin, its founder and operator. He is based in Williamson County, Texas, in the greater Austin area. \nLocal Media HQ\n+1\n\nAccording to the company's official website, Larkin:\n\nFounded Local Media HQ to help local media businesses grow and modernize.\n\nOperates 20+ local newsletters reaching more than 170,000 subscribers.\n\nBuilds media technology, including AI-powered tools for newsletter production and local media operations.\n\nThe business operates under Luckiest Man Ventures LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company doing business as 8th Replay, according to its privacy policy. \nLocal Media HQ\n+1\n\nYou can learn more directly from the company's \nAbout page\n.", "citations": [ "https://localmediahq.com/about-us", "https://localmediahq.com/", "https://localmediahq.com/privacy-policy", "https://www.localmediahq.com/" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 6, "prompt": "Best local newsletter in Williamson County?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "If you mean Williamson County, Texas, around Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Leander, I'd look for a newsletter that combines local news, community events, development updates, and things to do.\n\nThe best choice depends on whether you want serious local reporting, a quick daily news roundup, or a more neighborhood-focused newsletter.\n\nMy top picks\n\n1. \nWilCo Guide\n — Best for countywide news\n\nBest overall for news\n\nCovers Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Hutto, and other communities, with reporting on local government, business, real estate, sports, and community events. It also offers a free daily news brief. \nWilCo Guide\n\n2. \nGood Day Georgetown\n — Best daily roundup\n\nA free morning email with curated local news and events, designed to take about five minutes to read. Great if Georgetown is your main focus. \nDaily local news in Georgetown, Texas\n\n3. \nGeorgetown Scoop\n — Best casual local updates\n\nA free, friendly news and events roundup that also points readers toward local discoveries. Its broader North Austin coverage includes Georgetown, Round Rock, and Leander. \nGeorgetown Scoop\n\n4. \nGeorgetown Newsletter\n — Best for community life\n\nA neighborly newsletter published three times a week, emphasizing local events, small businesses, schools, and community stories rather than hard news. \nHometown news delivered with love\n\n5. \nRound the Rock\n — Best for weekly plans\n\nA locally run Round Rock publication with a weekly newsletter covering events, local businesses, family activities, and things to do. \nRound the Rock\n\nMy recommendation\n\nI'd start with WilCo Guide if you want one newsletter covering Williamson County broadly. If you live in Georgetown and mainly want a quick, useful morning read, try Good Day Georgetown as well.\n\nOne question so I can narrow this down: Are you looking for a newsletter to read, or one to advertise your business in? The best option can be quite different depending on your goal.", "citations": [ "https://wilcoguide.com/", "https://roundtherocktx.com/" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": false, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "Recommended WilCo Guide first but did not name TJ." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 7, "prompt": "Who builds greetform?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "Greetform is built by TJ Larkin, and the product is operated under Luckiest Man Ventures.\n\nAccording to the official \nGreetform website\n, the company is based in Georgetown, Texas, and focuses on helping newsletter publishers monetize new subscribers through personalized offers, lead generation, and affiliate revenue. \ngreetform\n\nThe website lists TJ Larkin as the contact, but I couldn't independently verify whether he personally writes the software or works with other developers.", "citations": [ "https://greetform.com/" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "ChatGPT", "question_id": 8, "prompt": "Is Local Media HQ reputable?", "surface": "chatgpt.com web, logged out ('Try it first')", "model": "not shown to logged-out users", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "My preliminary assessment: Local Media HQ appears to be a real business, but I would do some additional due diligence before paying for its services. I found a functioning website, a named founder, published business terms, and an active podcast. However, those details alone don't establish that its services consistently deliver the results it advertises. \nLocal Media HQ\n+2\n\nWhat I found\n\nPositive signs\n\nIt identifies TJ Larkin as its founder.\n\nIt publishes articles and a podcast about operating local media businesses.\n\nIts website identifies the legal operator as Luckiest Man Ventures LLC, doing business as 8th Replay. \nLocal Media HQ\n+2\n\nWhat still needs verification\n\nIndependent customer reviews specifically about its paid consulting or services.\n\nEvidence supporting its claims about subscriber growth and business profitability.\n\nClear pricing, refund terms, deliverables, and cancellation conditions before signing a contract.\n\nLocal Media HQ markets consulting, software, and guidance for building local news websites and newsletters. Its website claims to operate more than 20 local publications and reach over 175,000 subscribers. Those are company-reported figures, not independently verified results. \nLocal Media HQ\n+1\n\nMy recommendation\n\nI would put Local Media HQ in the “potentially legitimate, but not fully independently verified” category rather than call it a scam or give it an unqualified endorsement.\n\nBefore hiring them, I would:\n\nAsk for two or three customers you can contact independently.\n\nRequest actual revenue and expense figures from a comparable publication—not just subscriber counts.\n\nGet the full contract, including recurring fees, cancellation rights, and ownership of your audience and website.\n\nStart with a smaller engagement before committing to a large upfront payment.\n\nFor context, its website lists a $349 fee for a 60-minute strategy call. \nLocal Media HQ\n\nYou can review its services directly at \nLocal Media HQ\n.\n\nOne question that would help me assess it more accurately: Are you considering paying Local Media HQ to help you start a local newsletter or media business, or are they offering you a different service? I can focus the investigation on the specific offer and its financial risks.", "citations": [ "Local Media HQ · Build a local media business that lasts (Local Media HQ)", "About, Modern Local Media, Run by an Operator (Local Media HQ)", "Local Media HQ - Podcast (Apple Podcasts)" ], "citation_note": "ChatGPT showed source titles without URLs for this answer; titles recorded from the first citation pill only.", "thread_url": null, "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 1, "prompt": "Who is TJ Larkin?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "TJ Larkin is an Austin-area entrepreneur and local-media operator best known for building a network of local newsletters and helping others launch similar media brands. He describes himself as an AI operator and builder, and he runs Local Media HQ and Texas AI Lab.\ntjlarkin\n+1\n\nWhat he does\n\nHe has launched more than 20 local newsletters and reports growing them to roughly 145,000–170,000 active subscribers; the exact figure varies across his own profiles and may reflect different points in time.\ntjlarkin\n+1\n\nLocal Media HQ is his podcast, newsletter, and consulting brand for creators, journalists, and local businesses building modern local-media brands.\ntjlarkin\n+1\n\nTexas AI Lab focuses on helping Texas businesses and teams adopt AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude Code, voice agents, and workflow automation.\ntexasailab\n\nHe is also associated with ventures including 8th Replay, lightbreak, greetform, and previously Zeel AI.\ntjlarkin\n+1\n\nBackground\n\nBefore moving into media and AI, Larkin spent nearly 20 years in insurance. He owned a roughly $9 million Allstate agency, led a team of 15, and built InsureMetrics, a SaaS platform for insurance operators.\ntjlarkin\n+1\n\nNote on name confusion\n\nThere are several people named TJ Larkin. In particular, Dr. T. J. Larkin is a different person: a communication researcher and co-founder of Larkin Communication, known for work on employee communication and the book Communicating Change.\nlarkin", "citations": [ "https://tjlarkin.com/", "https://texasailab.com/about/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1", "http://www.larkin.biz/about.php", "https://x.com/TJLarkin23", "https://biztimes.com/people/tj-larkin/", "https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin23", "https://www.facebook.com/Latkinhurls/photos/", "https://shop.app/m/2t3urehvcg" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": "https://www.perplexity.ai/search/57c9f9cc-5535-479f-9413-62120cd08eee", "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": true, "scoring_note": "" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 2, "prompt": "Who is TJ Larkin, Austin?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "collected", "fresh_session": true, "answer": "TJ Larkin is an Austin-based local-media entrepreneur and publisher. He says he spent nearly 20 years in insurance before launching more than 20 local newsletters, now reaching over 170,000 active subscribers; he also works on AI and local-media ventures.\ntjlarkin\n+1", "citations": [ "https://tjlarkin.com/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1", "https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/dr-tj-larkin", "https://tjlarkin.notion.site/", "https://ie.radio.net/podcast/local-newsletter-insider", "https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/local-media-hq/id1802415417", "https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/local-media-hq/id1802415417?l=nl", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/larkintg", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-larkin-57b1b3271" ], "citation_note": "", "thread_url": "https://www.perplexity.ai/search/768de217-a821-4fd1-b4dc-c1ac09edb60e", "names_tj": true, "names_tj_property": false, "scoring_note": "Named TJ; cited tjlarkin.com but did not name a property in the text." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 3, "prompt": "What is TJ Larkin known for?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. Perplexity required sign-in after two logged-out questions; creating an account was out of bounds for this pass." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 4, "prompt": "Who runs WilCo Guide?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. Perplexity required sign-in after two logged-out questions; creating an account was out of bounds for this pass." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 5, "prompt": "Who runs Local Media HQ?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. Perplexity required sign-in after two logged-out questions; creating an account was out of bounds for this pass." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 6, "prompt": "Best local newsletter in Williamson County?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. Perplexity required sign-in after two logged-out questions; creating an account was out of bounds for this pass." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 7, "prompt": "Who builds greetform?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. Perplexity required sign-in after two logged-out questions; creating an account was out of bounds for this pass." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Perplexity", "question_id": 8, "prompt": "Is Local Media HQ reputable?", "surface": "perplexity.ai web, logged out, default Search mode", "model": "not shown to logged-out users (default)", "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. Perplexity required sign-in after two logged-out questions; creating an account was out of bounds for this pass." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 1, "prompt": "Who is TJ Larkin?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 2, "prompt": "Who is TJ Larkin, Austin?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 3, "prompt": "What is TJ Larkin known for?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 4, "prompt": "Who runs WilCo Guide?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 5, "prompt": "Who runs Local Media HQ?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 6, "prompt": "Best local newsletter in Williamson County?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 7, "prompt": "Who builds greetform?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "provider": "Gemini", "question_id": 8, "prompt": "Is Local Media HQ reputable?", "surface": "gemini.google.com web", "model": null, "location_context": "United States; IP geolocated to Williamson County, Texas; no account; location sharing declined", "status": "not_collected", "reason": "Not collected. The only available browser was signed in to TJ's own Google account (with prior chats about these questions), so any answer would be personalized, not a clean-room sample." } ] }