Verification Policy

Why Verification Exists

Bookween values the time of readers. We do not want publishing access to become automatic merely because someone created an account. Verification creates a baseline layer of accountability and context around the people publishing on Bookween.

Category-Based Verification

Bookween verification is category-specific. Examples may include:

• Author
• Journalist
• Researcher / Academic
• Educator
• Physician / Medical Professional
• Lawyer
• Business Leader / Entrepreneur
• Engineer
• Software Developer
• Video Editor
• Designer
• Photographer
• Filmmaker
• Marketing / Media Professional
• Additional categories may be introduced over time.

What a Badge Means

A verification badge means Bookween reviewed a member according to the requirements of that specific category.

It does not mean:

• Bookween endorses every opinion of the member.
• Every article written by the member is fact-checked by Bookween.
• The member is guaranteed to remain verified forever.
• The badge can be purchased.
• The badge provides immunity from moderation.

Publishing Access

A user with at least one active verified category may publish. If the user has no active verification, publishing remains unavailable. A member with several verified categories still receives the same underlying publishing permission.

Multiple Verifications

A member may qualify for multiple categories. For example, a person may be verified as both a Physician and an Author. The interface may display a primary verification badge beside the member's name while additional verified categories appear on the profile.

Verification Evidence

Evidence depends on category and may include:

• Professional credentials
• Professional registration
• Portfolio
• Published work
• Employment or institutional affiliation
• Business records
• Professional history
• Publicly verifiable evidence
• Bookween editorial review
• Other evidence relevant to the category

Author Verification

Author verification may require editorial judgment because authorship does not always rely on a formal licence. Bookween may consider:

• Writing quality
• Body of work
• Originality
• Published work
• Reputation
• Subject depth
• Reader value
• Demonstrated authorship

Professional Verification

Licensed or regulated professions may require evidence appropriate to the profession. Bookween may request updated evidence or re-verification where credentials expire or circumstances change.

Verification Cannot Be Purchased

Payment, advertising spend, subscriptions, business relationships, or popularity do not guarantee verification.

Application Review

Applications may be approved, rejected, returned for more information, or placed under additional review. Bookween may request additional evidence before making a decision.

Reverification

Verification may require periodic re-review. Bookween may request new evidence where:

• A credential expires.
• Professional status changes.
• Previously supplied information becomes outdated.
• Fraud or misrepresentation is suspected.
• Verification standards materially change.

Suspension or Revocation

Verification may be suspended or revoked for:

• False evidence
• Misrepresentation
• Impersonation
• Serious policy violations
• Fraud
• Expired or invalid credentials
• Attempts to sell or transfer verification
• Other conduct undermining verification integrity

Verification and Moderation

Verified users remain subject to Community Guidelines, Content & Publishing Standards, and Moderation Policy.

Appeals

Eligible verification decisions may be appealed under the Appeals & Enforcement Policy.

Privacy

Verification evidence is handled according to the Privacy Policy.