How we verify every business.
Every listing is public from day one — being findable is the whole point. Before a business shows our Verified badge, though, its data must prove out through one of two verification paths. Every check runs against the real, live source — never self-attested.
Path A — Domain email match
The business’s on-file email is on its own website domain (like you@yourbusiness.com) — not a free provider like Gmail or Yahoo — and the mailbox still accepts mail. Control of the domain plus a working address proves the web presence and the email in one shot: two proofs at once, done.
Path B — Any two of three real-world proofs
Three things can each be proven for real: a web presence (the business’s own live website, or its profile on a real platform like Yelp or Expedia — that counts too; parked and for-sale domains never do), the on-file email confirmed on its own site or on other independent sites, and the on-file phone number matching what independent platforms list. Any two of the three verifies the business — no single proof is required.
Real checks, never self-attested
Every check runs against the real, live source — the actual website, the actual platform listing, the number already on file from public records (never one someone freshly types in). We log every attempt, pass or fail, and if a check can’t run we say so rather than guess.
What the badge means
- Verified — the listing's public data proved out through Path A or Path B. This can happen before the owner ever signs up: it says the data checks out, not that the owner is here.
- Claimed & Verified — the owner has also claimed the profile through their on-file contact info and controls it directly. The strongest trust signal we show.
- Unverified listings — businesses we found in public sources are publicly listed right away, and stay clearly unverified until these checks pass. We never show a badge that wasn't earned.
- Failed a check? — if your claim doesn't pass, we email you exactly which check failed and what to do next.
How claiming works
- Find your listing in the directory and hit the claim button on your profile page.
- We send a secure claim link — only ever to the business's own on-record contact email, never to whoever typed the request. That's what keeps a claim safe from impostors.
- No usable email on record? We can verify by phone against the business's on-file number instead — again, never a number someone freshly types in.
- Once you're in, you control the listing: edit your details, manage services and hours from your portal, and earn the Claimed & Verified badge once the checks above pass.