Understanding Verification Badges

Verification Badges

Verification badges show drivers that your charging location is legitimate, actively managed, and provides accurate information. Verified listings get higher search rankings and more trust from drivers.

What is a Verification Badge?

A verification badge is a checkmark (✓) displayed next to your location name.

What it means:

• ✅ Ownership verified by SpotCharge
• ✅ Location information confirmed accurate
• ✅ Actively managed by owner
• ✅ Meets quality standards

Where it appears:

• Search results (next to location name)
• Location detail page (header)
• Map pins (verified icon)
• Owner dashboard (badge status indicator)

Why Verification Matters

Benefits for verified locations:

🏆 Higher search ranking - Verified listings rank 30-50% higher 👁️ More clicks - Drivers trust verified listings (2x click-through rate) ⭐ Better reviews - Verified locations average 0.3 stars higher 📊 Increased usage - 65% more likely to be visited 🔒 Trust signal - Shows legitimacy to skeptical drivers 💼 Professional appearance - Separates you from unclaimed listings

Types of Verification

Owner Verification (Standard)

What it verifies:

• You legally own or operate the location
• Business is legitimate
• Contact information is accurate

Requirements:

• Claimed location with approved documents
• Complete business profile
• Verified contact email
• Active subscription (Free or Premium)

Badge: ✓ Verified Owner

Premium Verification (Enhanced)

What it verifies:

• All standard verification criteria
• Location information accuracy verified
• Equipment specs confirmed (photos or documentation)
• Amenities verified via inspection or photos

Requirements:

• Premium or Premium Multi subscription
• Owner verification complete
• High-quality photos uploaded (8+)
• All station details complete
• Equipment specifications verified

Badge: ✓ Verified Premium

Network Verified (Auto-Applied)

What it verifies:

• Data sourced directly from charging network API
• Real-time availability synced
• Automatically updated

Examples:

• ChargePoint Network locations
• Electrify America stations
• Tesla Superchargers (if data-sharing enabled)

Badge: ✓ Network Verified

Note: You can claim network-verified locations to manage additional details (photos, amenities) while keeping network verification.

How to Get Verified

Step 1: Claim Your Location

Claim ownership →

Required:

1. Proof of ownership documents uploaded
2. Business profile created
3. Contact email verified
4. Claim approved by SpotCharge team

Timeline: 24-48 hours for review

Step 2: Complete Your Listing

Required information:

• ✅ Location name, address, GPS coordinates
• ✅ Hours of operation
• ✅ At least one station with complete details
• ✅ At least one port with connector type and power specs
• ✅ Access type (public, semi-public, private)
• ✅ At least 3 photos uploaded

Optional but recommended:

• Amenities (5+ recommended)
• Pricing information
• Payment methods
• Access instructions
• Business profile with logo

Step 3: Verify Contact Information

1. Dashboard → Account Settings
2. Confirm email address
3. Click verification link in email
4. Add phone number (optional but recommended)

Step 4: Request Verification

For Standard (Owner) Verification:

• Automatic after claim approval and listing completion
• No additional steps needed
• Badge appears within 24 hours

For Premium Verification:

1. Dashboard → Sites → [Your Location]
2. Click "Request Premium Verification" button
3. Upload equipment photos showing:
   • Station manufacturer labels
   • Connector close-ups
   • Power output specifications (on station nameplate)
4. Submit verification request
5. Our team reviews within 2-3 business days

Step 5: Maintain Verification Status

Keep your badge by:

• Responding to reviews regularly
• Keeping information up to date
• Addressing reported issues promptly
• Maintaining active subscription
• Updating photos/details at least quarterly

Verification Requirements Checklist

Owner Verification ✓

• [ ] Ownership documents approved
• [ ] Business profile created
• [ ] Contact email verified
• [ ] Location details complete
• [ ] At least 1 station added
• [ ] At least 1 port configured
• [ ] At least 3 photos uploaded
• [ ] Active subscription (any tier)

Premium Verification ✓✓

All owner verification requirements, plus:

• [ ] Premium or Premium Multi subscription
• [ ] 8+ high-quality photos
• [ ] Equipment specs verified (photos of nameplates)
• [ ] All amenities listed accurately
• [ ] Pricing information complete
• [ ] Access instructions provided
• [ ] Contact information current
• [ ] Review response rate above 50%

Maintaining Verification

Verification is ongoing - not a one-time achievement.

How to keep your badge:

✅ Update regularly

• Refresh photos at least yearly
• Update hours, pricing if they change
• Mark broken ports out of service immediately
• Review amenities quarterly

✅ Stay active

• Respond to reviews (at least 50% response rate)
• Address reported issues within 1 week
• Update listing when equipment changes
• Check dashboard monthly

✅ Keep subscription active

• Premium verification requires Premium tier
• If you downgrade to Free, Premium badge converts to Owner badge
• Owner badge remains if Free subscription active

✅ Maintain accuracy

• Don't list amenities you don't have
• Keep power specs accurate
• Update hours for holidays/closures
• Note temporary issues (construction, outages)

Losing Verification

Your badge may be removed if:

❌ Inaccurate information

• Multiple reviews mention incorrect details
• Equipment specs don't match reality
• Amenities listed but not available
• Photos misleading or outdated

❌ Inactive management

• No login for 6+ months
• Zero review responses for 3+ months
• Reported issues not addressed
• Broken equipment not marked out of service

❌ Policy violations

• Fake reviews solicited
• Competitor location sabotaged
• Terms of service violations
• Fraudulent ownership claim

❌ Subscription lapse

• Premium verification removed if subscription downgrades
• Owner verification removed if account inactive

If badge is removed:

1. You'll receive email notification with reason
2. Fix the issues mentioned
3. Request re-verification
4. Badge restored within 2-3 business days if issues resolved

Verification vs Ratings

Verification ≠ Quality rating

Verification means:

• Ownership confirmed
• Information accurate
• Actively managed

Verification does NOT mean:

• Perfect 5-star rating
• No equipment issues ever
• Always available
• Best pricing

Example: A verified location can have 3.5 stars if equipment breaks often. Verification just means the owner is honest about it and actively managing the listing.

Re-Verification Process

Periodic re-verification required:

Owner Verification:

• Re-verify every 12 months
• Confirm ownership still valid
• Update contact information
• Takes 5 minutes

Premium Verification:

• Re-verify every 6 months
• Upload recent equipment photos
• Confirm amenities current
• Update any changed information
• Takes 15-20 minutes

You'll get email reminder 30 days before re-verification due.

Verification FAQs

Q: How long does verification take? A: Owner verification: 24-48 hours after claim approval. Premium verification: 2-3 business days after submitting equipment photos.

Q: Does verification cost extra? A: No. Owner verification is free with any subscription tier. Premium verification requires Premium or Premium Multi subscription, but no additional fee.

Q: Can I get verified if I'm on the Free tier? A: Yes, you can get Owner Verification (✓). Premium Verification (✓✓) requires Premium or Premium Multi.

Q: What if I manage the location but don't own it? A: You can still get verified if you have authorization from the owner. Upload a letter of authorization with your claim documents.

Q: Do I need to re-verify after updating my listing? A: No. Small updates (adding photos, editing hours) don't trigger re-verification. Major changes (new equipment, complete remodel) may require re-verification.

Q: Can unverified locations rank in search? A: Yes, but verified locations rank significantly higher. Unverified locations appear below verified ones in search results.

Q: What if my verification is denied? A: You'll receive email explaining why. Fix the issues and resubmit. Common reasons: incomplete information, missing photos, unclear ownership documents.

Q: Does network verification mean I can't claim the location? A: No. You can claim network-verified locations to add photos, amenities, and respond to reviews. You'll keep the network badge plus get an owner badge.

After Getting Verified

Next steps:

1. Share your verified listing - Link from your website, social media
2. Monitor analytics - Track impact on views and usage
3. Keep it current - Update quarterly to maintain badge
4. Engage with reviews - Respond to maintain active status
5. Optimize further - Add more photos, complete amenities

Promotion ideas:

• Add "Verified on SpotCharge" to marketing materials
• Include SpotCharge listing link on Google Business Profile
• Mention verification in social media posts
• Add QR code at location linking to verified listing

Related Articles

• Claiming a Location
• Optimizing Your Listing
• Understanding Subscription Tiers
• Uploading Photos

Need Help?

Questions about verification? We're here to assist.

Contact Support or check our Help Center