An agency can be listed before it has passed OAN’s checks. Verified is a badge, not a condition of publication. It means the agency has passed the four checks below; it does not rate work quality or guarantee outcomes.
What we check, in order
- Trades under the name given
- Contact details resolve to that business
- Services claimed match demonstrable work
- Stated minimum budget reflects real engagements
A listing that passes all four carries the Verified badge, and one that fails re-verification loses it until it is corrected.
Evidence we assess
A review looks for evidence against each published criterion. The appropriate evidence can differ by business, country and service, but the four criteria stay the same. A claim on a profile is not treated as proof simply because the agency published it.
When a check is not met
If a check is incomplete or the evidence does not support it, the listing remains visible without the Verified badge. An agency can contact OAN to correct the record or request a review. If a previously verified listing no longer meets the criteria, the badge may be removed; the listing itself is not automatically removed.
What verification is not
Verification records that a listing met the published checks. It is not a judgement of service quality, client satisfaction, financial condition, regulatory standing or likely results. Where a kind of agency needs a licence or registration to trade, the badge does not confirm it: check the regulator’s own register. Use case studies, references and linked third-party ratings to assess suitability; OAN does not collect those reviews or create the ratings.