Ask what was assessed
Check issuer, date, holder, method and competence area. Distinguish examination, course attendance and partnership badge. Do not transfer a historical qualification to a current individual or company without evidence. Check the issuing organisation when making a decision about a named credential.
Inspect representative work
Request an example that can be shared without private data. Look for observed defects, actionable recommendations and explicit limitations. Testimonials need authentic attribution and appropriate permission. An invented star average is not evidence.
Match competence to the task
Migration, editorial strategy and JavaScript troubleshooting require different skills. Compare the scope with your problem and internal resources. Begin with a limited assignment and acceptance check before a broader commitment.
- Issuer
- Scope
- Deliverable
- Need
Worked example
For a migration, request an anonymised URL inventory, redirect plan and validation procedure. These tell you more about the relevant ability than a badge alone.
Check before moving on
These checkboxes are not saved.
Sources & method
Sources reviewed on 1 October 2026. Worked calculations use explicitly hypothetical inputs.
Topic provenance: CESEO, la certification des SEO est-elle une bonne idée ? (2010-06). Search Engine Feng Shui. Byline retained in the publication feed: fhouste.
This guide is newly written in 2026. It does not reproduce the earlier text and is not attributed to its historical author.