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Certification & Accreditation
Independent proof that your signals are sound.
Certification assesses an organization against the Signaling Trust Framework. Those that meet it are authorized to display the Signaling Compliance Mark and are entered into the public registry.
Levels
Three levels of recognition
Certification levels reflect the depth of assessment completed, not a ranking of one organization over another.
Recognized
The organization has attested to and demonstrated baseline conformance with the core identity and integrity standards (STF-100, STF-200).
Accredited
Full assessment against all five core standards of the Signaling Trust Framework, across both the SEO and AEO domains.
Authority-Certified
Full assessment plus ongoing monitoring and periodic re-review, the highest standing the Authority confers.
Process
How certification works
Application
The organization submits an application identifying the properties and entities to be assessed and the certification level sought.
Assessment
The Office of the Registrar evaluates the submitted signals against the applicable edition of the Signaling Trust Framework.
Determination
Findings are documented. Where remediation is needed, the organization is given specific, clause-referenced guidance.
Issuance
On a successful determination, a credential is issued, a registry entry is created, and the Signaling Compliance Mark is authorized for display.
Maintenance
Credentials carry a validity period and are subject to review. Authority-Certified status includes ongoing monitoring.
The Signaling Compliance Mark
A single, verifiable mark of trust
Signaling Compliance Mark
Certified organizations are authorized to display the Signaling Compliance Mark on their properties. The mark indicates that the organization’s trust signals have been independently reviewed against the Signaling Trust Framework and found to conform.
Every mark is backed by a registry entry. A visitor — or an answer engine — can follow the mark to the public registry and confirm the credential is current, the level it represents, and the edition of the framework it was assessed against.
- Display is licensed to the certified organization only, for the properties named in the credential.
- The mark must link to, or be verifiable against, the public registry.
- Authorization ends when a credential lapses or is withdrawn.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Certification is open to any organization that owns or operates web properties and is prepared to be assessed against the Signaling Trust Framework. There is no requirement of size, sector, or location. What is required is that the signals presented are genuine and can withstand independent review.
The Authority does not certify manipulation, undisclosed arrangements, or fabricated signals under any circumstances, and reserves the right to decline or withdraw certification where the framework is not met.
Begin certification
Contact the Office of the Registrar to start an application or to ask which level fits your organization.
Contact the registrar