> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ip.world/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Verification

> Prove ownership of a Trend, unlock fee routes, and earn the trust badge that signals legitimacy to traders.

Verification proves who's behind a Trend. For creators, it's proof of ownership. For communities, it's proof of traction. Either way, it unlocks fee distribution, the verification badge, and governance tools.

Until a Trend is verified, **fees are locked up** — community treasury fees, owner fees, and referral fees don't distribute. Verification is what turns them on.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/ipworld/63VNRejAMiNzw5IK/images/verification-intro.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=63VNRejAMiNzw5IK&q=85&s=77539ec338683a9469bad213b7cd367b" alt="Verification wizard — intro screen showing the 6-step process" width="1024" height="665" data-path="images/verification-intro.png" />
</Frame>

## Two tracks

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Creator verification" icon="crown">
    The real owner or authorized representative proves they control the IP. Can start **at any time** — no bonding requirement.

    Unlocks:

    * Owner fee share (10% of \$IP side trading fees)
    * 3% vested token allocation (linear over 3 months)
    * Ability to endorse tokens as **Official** or **Liked**
    * Owner dashboard
    * Community treasury for holders
  </Card>

  <Card title="Community verification" icon="users">
    A community lead or member proves the token has real traction. The token must be **bonded** (graduated) before verification can start.

    Unlocks:

    * Owner fees routed to the community treasury
    * The verifying token is automatically marked **Official**
    * Community treasury + governance (Snapshot + Safe)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What happens after approval

Once approved:

* A **Story Protocol IPA** and PIL are registered on-chain, with ownership assigned to the creator payout address (creator tokens) or the community treasury (community tokens).
* The Trend gets the **verification badge** — visible on the Trend and all tokens under it.
* **Locked fees are released** and start distributing immediately.
* **Creator tokens**: the owner can now endorse specific tokens as **Official** (full endorsement) or **Liked** (awareness without full endorsement) from the token management menu.
* **Community tokens**: the token that initiated verification is automatically marked **Official**.
* **Treasury tab unlocks** — holders can create and vote on proposals.

<Warning>
  Verification applies to the **Trend**, not individual tokens. Once a Trend is verified, all tokens under it are verified. You don't verify tokens one at a time.
</Warning>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Verify a coin" icon="book-open" href="/user-guides/how-to/verify-a-coin">
    Step-by-step walkthrough of the verification form.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Coin types" icon="fire" href="/user-guides/coin-types">
    How creator-type and community-type tokens differ — including fee splits.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Treasury and proposals" icon="vault" href="/user-guides/manage/treasury-and-proposals">
    How the community treasury works after verification unlocks it.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>