Two badges can appear on a DJ's profile. They mean different things.

## The verified badge

A check icon next to the DJ's name. It means the DJ has completed identity verification — they've submitted government ID and we've confirmed they are who their profile says.

What it tells you: this is a real, identifiable person, not an anonymous profile.

What it doesn't tell you: anything about how good they are. Verification checks identity, not talent.

## The PLATINUM badge

A **PLATINUM** ribbon. It means the DJ is on our top subscription plan.

What it tells you: they're invested enough in their DJ business to pay for the highest tier, and they get our most advanced tools.

What it doesn't tell you: it's a plan, not an assessment. A brilliant DJ on the free plan and a mediocre one on Platinum both exist.

## Filtering by them

The search sidebar has switches for **Verified DJs** and Platinum DJs. Both are exclusion filters — turning one on hides everyone without it.

Useful when a long list needs narrowing. Just know that switching on **Verified DJs** removes some genuinely good DJs who simply haven't done the verification step.

## What actually predicts a good booking

In rough order:

1. **Reviews** — from clients who completed a real event here
2. **Mixes** — whether they sound right for your event
3. **Completed events** — a track record on the platform
4. **Clear policies** — a DJ who has thought through cancellation and travel has usually thought through the rest
5. **How they answer your first message**

Badges are a useful filter when you're staring at eighty results. They're a poor substitute for listening to a mix.

## Profile tags are different

Tags like **Party Starter** or **Top-Rated Talent** aren't badges. Some are chosen by the DJ, some are earned. See [Profile Tags, Explained](/hc/clients/articles/1786146204-profile-tags-explained).

## Protection is separate from badges

What protects your booking is the structure around it — a written proposal, signed documents, a cancellation deadline, and payment handled through DJfindr. That applies to every booking here, on any DJ, badge or no badge.