Expert verification
What we check before an expert can take chats, and what those checks do and don't tell you.
The checks
Identity verification
Required for every expert.
We confirm the expert is a real person and is who they say they are, by reviewing a government-issued photo ID against a live video call. We don't publish their ID details.
Experience and specialization review
Required for every expert.
We review evidence of relevant experience in each topic the expert will cover (work history, references or a practical assessment) and assign topics accordingly. Experts can only take chats in topics we have assigned.
Qualification and credential review
Where a topic requires it.
If a topic needs a formal qualification or certificate, we check the original document or confirm it with the issuer. No current topic requires one; we'll say so on the topic if that changes.
Professional registration check
Where applicable.
For regulated professions, we would confirm registration with the relevant register. Ask Buddy does not currently offer any regulated professional topic.
Periodic revalidation
Recorded with a date.
Checks are dated, and a check can be given an expiry date. An expired check stops being shown and must be done again.
How checks are shown
In the chat and on an expert's profile, we show "Checked by Ask Buddy" followed by the checks that have passed, such as "identity, experience". A check appears only after an Ask Buddy administrator has recorded it as passed, along with where the evidence is kept. Experts cannot add or change their own checks, qualifications or topics.
An expert cannot be approved to take chats until their identity and experience checks have passed.
What verification does not mean
- It doesn't mean an expert's answers are always correct or complete.
- Identity verification shows who someone is, not how competent they are.
- It isn't a government licence, an accreditation, or a manufacturer's certification or authorization.
- Ask Buddy itself is not endorsed by any manufacturer or authority.
Ongoing quality monitoring
After each chat you can rate it privately. Low ratings, expert escalations and complaints put the conversation on a review list, and an administrator reads the transcript. Every time an administrator opens a transcript, it's recorded in an audit log. Experts who don't meet our standards are suspended and can't take chats.