Advertiser identity verification

Learn about how advertiser identity verification helps ensure trust in the ads that we show.
Notes
  • If you're targeting financial services customers in the United Kingdom, you may also need to complete the UK Financial services verification. Learn more.
  • If you're targeting customers in China, here are the policies and guides. Learn more

Microsoft Advertising requires advertiser identity verification to ensure that customers see ads from trusted sources to improve their overall experience.

Understanding the identity verification process

When Microsoft Advertising requires advertiser identity verification, you'll receive an email request and an in-product notification for one or more of your accounts. The request will contain instructions on how to complete your verification. Most new accounts will have 30 days to complete the process. If not verified, your account may stop showing ads in the European Economic Area (EEA) countries/regions listed below. Some payment methods may require advertiser identity verification prior to ads serving in any market. As soon as your identity verification is complete, we'll enable your account, at which time your ads will begin showing again.

Please note that our review process may take 3-5 business days. If you fail the verification, your ads may stop serving within the EEA. To appeal a decision, please visit Advertiser identity verification appeals or contact Support. For more information on verification status, please see Identity verification status.

Notes
  • Super Admins and Standard Users of an account (aligned to either the account owner or an authorized managing partner linked to the account) can apply for verification.
  • You're only required to complete identity verification for the Microsoft Advertising accounts that we notify you about. You can't opt in other accounts for identity verification.
  • Currently, you can apply for verification for one account at a time. We don't currently support verification of multiple accounts in parallel, with the exception of accounts in your manager account that share the same business location. In this case, they will be automatically verified together.

Get started

Depending on the situation, you can choose to verify as a business, as an individual, or both.

Please note that the documentation you need to provide will differ based on your location.

Verify as a business (if you represent or promote a business)expando image

You can choose to verify as a business if you represent or promote a business; for example, a law firm or a plumbing service.

  1. From the top menu, select Tools > Preferences > Verifications.

    If you're using the new Microsoft Advertising navigation, from the navigation menu on the left, hover over Settings and select Account verifications.

    Note: If you have multiple accounts, choose one from the account dropdown menu on the top left.
  2. Under Advertiser identify verification (AIV) status, select Become a verified advertiser.
  3. Select Verify as a business.
  4. Review and verify your account's business name and location.

    Note: The information here must match that in the documents you submit for verification later, or else your verification will fail. You can make updates in your account settings to make sure that your information is up to date.

  5. Enter information about your legally registered business, including Business website and Business email address.
  6. Upon entering the Business email address, request a verification code by selecting Send verification code. You'll receive an email at your business email address with the verification code.
  7. Enter the verification code from the email under Enter code.

    Note: If you don't receive a verification code, you may request additional verification codes once Send Verification is re-enabled.

  8. Under Business registration number, provide the tax ID for your business.

    Note: The name of your business registration number may change based on where your business is legally registered. For example, EIN for the US, VAT for EU, etc.

  9. Under Business documents, provide documentation with your business name and address that'll be used for verification. Business verification documents may include the following: business license, certificate of incorporation or registration, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) certificate, extract from commercial register, and tax certificate.
  10. If you own registered rights to your domain, under Website documents, submit documentation that proves your business has registered rights to the domain (e.g., receipt of domain purchase or domain renewal).

    Note: If you provided an email address besides your business domain, then you also need to provide documentation to verify your personal identity.

  11. Select Next.
  12. Review the information.
  13. Select Submit application.
Verify as an individual (if you represent or promote yourself as an individual)expando image

You can choose to verify as an individual if you represent or promote yourself as an individual; for example, if you're a freelance writer or food truck owner. You may also need to choose individual verification if you provide an email outside of your business domain.

  1. From the top menu, select Tools > Preferences > Verifications.

    If you're using the new Microsoft Advertising navigation, from the navigation menu on the left, hover over Settings and select Account verifications.

    Note: If you have multiple accounts, choose one from the account dropdown menu on the top left.
  2. Under Advertiser identify verification (AIV) status, select Become a verified advertiser.
  3. Select Verify as an individual.

    Note: For individual verification, the account's legal business name in Account settings must match your full name (first and last). If the legal business name doesn't match your full name, then you need to verify as a business instead. Or, to continue with individual verification, go to Account settings and edit your Legal business name as needed to continue with individual verification.

  4. Select Next.
  5. Provide documentation to verify your personal identity.

    Note:

    • You need to upload screenshots of the original documents for the purpose of verification. Pre-scanned uploads of documents may lead to verification failure.
    • If you are verifying in India, your Driving License is not a supported form of verification.
  6. Provide a photo of yourself that reflects your current appearance. Please note that pre-scanned or existing photographs may lead to verification failure.
  7. Select Next.
  8. Review the information.
  9. Select Submit application.
Note

To learn more about advertiser identity verification or to appeal a decision, please visit Advertiser identity verification appeals or contact your account manager or Support.

Countries/regions within the EEAexpando image

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