RackList Certification, a trust badge you earn, never buy
A free programme open to any hosting provider that has claimed its listing, reviewed by hand on objective criteria. No effect on the ranking, no paid shortcut.
A trust signal, never a visibility shortcut
On RackList, the base listing is free and the ranking is built on the reviews received, the listing's seniority, its checked legal information, how responsive the host is and how openly it discloses prices. Certification is a separate badge: it rewards hosting providers whose metrics are already strong, without ever influencing the score or the directory position.
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A badge shown in two places
On your public RackList listing and on your own website: two touchpoints where visitors see your record has been reviewed and validated.
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A real SEO benefit
Your site link switches to dofollow once certified, versus nofollow for any non-certified listing: search engines pass authority, not just traffic.
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Objective criteria, never a subscription
RackList score, reviews received and listing seniority: the review looks at public, measurable elements, never a payment or a commercial negotiation.
How it works
Three steps, none automated, nothing to write.
You apply in one click
From your host dashboard, once your listing is claimed. Nothing to write: the application relies on the metrics already on your listing.
The RackList team reviews your file
Human review, never automated, on what your listing publicly shows: its RackList score, the reviews it has received and its seniority.
You get an email answer
Approved: the badge appears on your listing and your link switches to dofollow. Rejected: no penalty, you can reapply as soon as your metrics improve.
What the badge changes, concretely
The "Certified Host" badge appears directly on your public RackList listing, visible to every visitor.
An official badge to embed on your own website to show off the trust you earned.
Priority access to new platform features.
Dedicated support from the RackList team.
Your site link switches to dofollow: a real SEO benefit no non-certified listing gets.
What certification never does
The separation between the trust badge and the organic ranking is strict and technical, not just editorial.
No, not on the RackList Score nor on your listing's position in the directory or internal search results: that cannot be bought. The badge does appear on your listing everywhere it shows up though (directory, categories, comparison tool): a real trust signal every visitor sees, natural visibility earned through your metrics, never an algorithmic shortcut.
No. Certification is free and never automated: every application is reviewed by hand by the RackList team on objective criteria. No payment speeds up or guarantees the badge.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for certification?
Any hosting provider that has claimed its listing on RackList can apply from their dashboard, as long as they do not already have a pending or approved application.
How long does the review take?
The review is done by hand by the RackList team, never automated. There is no published fixed turnaround, but you are notified by email as soon as a decision is made, whether approved or rejected.
Is certification paid?
No, it is entirely free. No payment is involved at any step, and no paid feature makes an application more likely to be approved. Applications are reviewed by hand, on what the listing publicly shows.
What happens if I remove the badge from my site?
Once certified, the badge on your own site is checked periodically. If it disappears, you get a warning to display it again rather than an automatic loss of certification.
Certification right now
- Certified hosts
- 0
- Applications under review
- 10
Numbers are updated continuously.
Ready to apply for certification?
Free application, human review, no automatic guarantee: only hosting providers who meet the criteria earn the badge.
Create a free account