The word “verified” gets thrown around a lot. Some platforms verify identity. Some verify background checks. Some just verify an email address. For homeowners, this confusion makes it hard to know what credentials actually mean.
What most platforms actually verify
Different platforms verify different things. Here's what “verified” typically means in the housesitting world:
Identity verification
Confirming the person is who they say they are, usually through ID documents. This is the baseline – it tells you their name is real.
Background checks (sometimes)
Some platforms offer optional background checks. These are often limited to certain countries and may not be comprehensive. Worth having, but not foolproof.
Email/phone verification
The absolute minimum. Just proves they have access to an email address or phone number. Tells you almost nothing about reliability.
What none of that tells you
Standard verification confirms identity but reveals nothing about:
- Reliability – Will they show up? Will they cancel last minute?
- Pet care skills – Do they actually know how to care for animals?
- Home care standards – Will they treat your home with respect?
- Emergency handling – Can they manage if something goes wrong?
- Communication quality – Will they keep you updated appropriately?
What actually proves experience
The best indicator of future performance is past performance. Here's what genuinely meaningful verification looks like:
Verified reviews from actual homeowners
Not testimonials anyone could write. Reviews from real homeowners who actually hosted this sitter, on platforms where both parties are accountable.
- 5-10 reviews = Getting started, probably fine
- 10-20 reviews = Established, knows what they're doing
- 20+ reviews = Highly experienced, proven track record
- 50+ reviews = Professional level, this is what they do
Why review count matters
One or two reviews could be flukes – a friend, a lucky sit, or a homeowner who doesn't care much. Twenty reviews over several years, consistently positive? That's a pattern. That's proof.
Someone with 50+ verified reviews has had dozens of opportunities to mess up. They haven't. That's more meaningful than any background check.
GDPR export: portable proof
In Europe (and increasingly elsewhere), data protection laws give people the right to export their data from platforms. For housesitters, this means they can prove their reviews are real.
What a GDPR export shows
- All completed sits – dates, locations, duration
- All reviews received – the full text, from the platform database
- Verification status – whatever checks the platform performed
- Account history – how long they've been active
Why this matters for you
A sitter can show you their platform reviews by sharing their profile link. But profiles can be curated. A GDPR export is the raw data – it shows everything, including any reviews the sitter might not highlight. In short, your reviews belong to you – and sitters can prove it.
When a directory like Reputable Sitters requires GDPR exports for verification, we're confirming the reviews are genuine and complete. Not just the highlights – the full picture.
How we verify sitters
Our approach is different from platforms. We're not trying to get everyone listed – we're specifically curating experienced sitters.
What we check
- GDPR data export from major platform
Raw data proving their review history is genuine and complete
- Minimum 20 verified reviews
Enough sits to establish a genuine track record, not just lucky early experiences
- Consistent positive feedback
We review the actual content of reviews, not just star counts
- Profile review
Does their presentation match their claimed experience?
What we don't claim
Let's be honest about limits:
- We don't guarantee future performance. Past success is a strong indicator, not a guarantee.
- We don't monitor ongoing behaviour. Verification is point-in-time, not continuous.
- We're not a platform. We don't facilitate bookings or handle disputes between you and sitters.
What we do offer is confidence that a sitter has a substantial, verified track record. The arrangement you make with them is between you.
What this means for you
When you hire a verified sitter
- Their reviews are real – we've seen the data export
- They have substantial experience – 20+ sits is a genuine track record
- Their feedback is consistently positive – we read the actual reviews
- They've proven themselves – over years, with dozens of homeowners
You should still...
- Have a video call – make sure you connect personally
- Discuss expectations clearly – don't assume anything
- Put key details in writing – dates, responsibilities, compensation
- Trust your instincts – verification reduces risk, but fit matters too
Verification comparison
| Verification Type | What It Proves | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Email verification | Has an email address | Almost nothing useful |
| ID verification | Name is real | Says nothing about reliability |
| Background check | No criminal record found | Limited to certain countries, not comprehensive |
| Platform reviews | Homeowner feedback | Could be limited or curated |
| GDPR export + 20+ reviews | Complete, verified track record | Point-in-time, not ongoing guarantee |
The bottom line
“Verified” can mean almost anything. What actually matters is a proven track record – real reviews from real homeowners over a meaningful period of time.
When you see a sitter with 20, 30, 50+ positive reviews that have been verified through a GDPR export, you're looking at someone who has earned trust the hard way: by showing up, doing excellent work, and doing it consistently.
That's the kind of verification that actually means something.