KitesurfingOfficial · Trusted Network
KSO badge
guidelines.
How Trusted Network badges work, what they mean and how kite schools, shops and trip organizers can use them responsibly.
Why badges exist
What KSO badges signal.
Badges help riders identify the trust level of a listing at a glance — without reading every detail.
Listed on KSO
Basic profile exists. Business name, type and location confirmed.
Claimed Profile
Owner or authorized representative has taken control of the listing.
Verified by KSO
KSO has reviewed ownership, contact accuracy and operational status.
Community Rated
Minimum 5 verified KSO rider reviews that have passed moderation.
KSO Approved
Highest editorial trust level. Manual approval after thorough quality assessment.
Featured Partner
Commercial visibility placement. Clearly labelled. Not a trust badge.
Badges reflect earned trust signals — profile quality, ownership verification and community reviews. They help riders understand which businesses are actively managed, independently reviewed and trusted by the kite community. They are not government licenses, safety certifications or guarantees of service quality.
Badge levels
Each badge level, explained.
From a basic listing to the highest editorial trust level — and how each is earned.
| Badge | Requirements | Meaning | Commercial | Embeddable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listed | Basic profile reviewed | Business exists and has been confirmed basic plausible | ✓ Earned | |
| Claimed | Owner claim approved | Owner or authorized person actively manages the profile | ✓ Earned | |
| Verified | Claimed + quality review passed | KSO reviewed contact, domain and operational status | ✓ Earned | |
| Community Rated | 5+ moderated KSO reviews | Real riders have reviewed and the reviews passed moderation | ✓ Earned | |
| KSO Approved | Verified + editorial approval | Highest trust level. Not purchasable. | ✓ Earned | |
| Featured Partner | Commercial arrangement | Paid visibility placement. Not a quality or trust signal. | Paid |
Live badge examples
What badges do not mean
Important limitations.
Badges signal trust at the directory level. They have clear boundaries.
Not a government license
KSO badges are directory trust signals. They are not issued by any government authority or regulatory body.
Not a safety guarantee
A Verified badge does not guarantee that a business follows safe practices. Always ask your school about rescue protocols before booking.
Not pay-to-win
Trust badges cannot be purchased. Featured Partner is a commercial placement with its own label — not a trust badge.
Not a replacement for due diligence
Riders should still confirm local conditions, lesson inclusions and safety setup directly with the business.
How to use your badge
Where to display your KSO badge.
Website header or footer
Embed your badge near your contact details or trust signals section.
About page
Show your KSO Verified status alongside your certifications and credentials.
Press kit
Include your badge in partner and press materials to signal directory membership.
Social profiles
Add your KSO profile link to Instagram, Facebook or Google Business bios.
Embed code
After claiming your profile, your Business Portal includes a badge embed snippet ready to copy and paste into your website. The snippet includes your correct badge level and automatically links back to your KSO profile. Visit /business/badges after logging in.
Badge misuse
Rules for responsible badge use.
Misuse of KSO badges may result in revocation and removal from the Trusted Network.
Do not claim Verified if your badge is only Listed or Claimed
Each badge has a specific meaning. Misrepresenting your badge level misleads riders.
Do not use an Award badge without an active award
Award badges are issued only to confirmed category winners. Using them otherwise violates these guidelines.
Do not remove the profile link
Badges must link back to your KSO profile or the Trusted Network page.
Do not alter badge design or proportions
The badge must be displayed as-is. Colour changes, cropping or modifications are not permitted.
Stop displaying revoked badges immediately
If KSO revokes your badge, you must remove it from all public-facing materials.
Ready to earn your badge
Claim your profile to unlock your first badge.
Every claimed and verified kite school, shop and trip organizer gets a KSO trust badge. It is free, embeddable and built to build rider trust before the first contact.
Questions
FAQ — Badge guidelines.
KitesurfingOfficial Trusted Network — directory trust signals are independent and never pay-to-win. How verification works →