The verified ✓ checkmark next to a member’s name signals to visitors that the person is who they say they are. This article explains how verification works on The Smile Channel.
What verification means
A verified profile means the team has confirmed three things:
- The person’s identity matches the name on the profile
- The bio claims (titles, books, credentials) are real
- The profile is being managed by the actual person, not by a third party scraping or impersonating them
Verification is NOT a quality endorsement — we don’t endorse views, books, or businesses. It’s purely an identity confirmation.
Who gets verified automatically
VIP members are verified by default — verification is part of the VIP package and the team confirms during onboarding. Founder, Co-Founder, Partner, and Team Member role badges also include automatic verification.
How to request verification at other tiers
Free, Starter, and Pro members can request verification once they’ve:
- Completed their profile (bio, photo, location, links)
- Added at least one book or episode
- Been active on the platform for at least 30 days
To request: Dashboard → Settings → Profile → “Request verification”. You’ll fill in a short form confirming your identity. The team reviews requests within 7-10 business days.
Verification requests on bare profiles (no bio, no photo) get auto-declined. Complete your profile first, then request.
What verified looks like
A small gold ✓ checkmark appears next to your name everywhere it’s displayed — your profile, the Leaders directory, search results, the Connector Board, even in the dashboard navigation.
Can verification be revoked?
Rarely, yes. If a profile is found to misrepresent identity (someone else takes over the account, or claims that turn out to be false), the team will revoke verification. We’d contact you first if there’s a question.