Founding Assessor PolicySolving the first-assessor problem

During the founding period, provisional assessors may be appointed based on documented relevant professional experience and must complete assessor calibration before assessing. Once 10 GEO Certified Professionals hold active certificates, assessor eligibility follows the standard requirement. The policy is reviewed no later than 2027.

• At least five years of practical experience in SEO, content strategy, digital PR or search measurement
• Documented work samples reviewed by the Certification Programme Manager
• Acceptance of the code of conduct and the conflict-of-interest rules
• No ongoing commercial relationship with any applicant they assess

Before assessing, a provisional assessor scores a set of calibration cases against the published criteria. Their scores are compared with reference scores; material differences are discussed and the cases rescored until the assessor applies the criteria consistently.

Provisional assessors declare relationships with applicants before each assessment. A declared conflict means a different assessor.

Provisional assessors follow the same procedures as standard assessors. They score; they never decide. Every decision is made by the Certification Decision Authority.

During the founding period the Certification Decision Authority reviews every score sheet, not a sample, before deciding.

When the threshold is reached, provisional assessors must obtain GEO Certified Professional status within six months to keep assessing. Certificates issued during the founding period are fully valid and are renewed under the normal rules.