Table of Contents
- Scope and Acceptance
- Authority and Representation
- Claim and Registration Verification
- Profile Content Ownership and License
- Accuracy Warranty
- Logo, Photo, and Media Rights
- Content Moderation
- Subscription Lapse and Content Retention
- Provider Conduct Standards
- Consumer Review Fairness Act Compliance
- Right of Response to Reviews
- Update Obligations
- Sponsored Placement Disclosure
- Termination
1. Scope and Acceptance
These Business Account Terms ("Business Terms") supplement the VerSquare Terms of Service ("General Terms") and apply to any user who claims, creates, or manages a business profile on the VerSquare platform ("Business Account"). In the event of conflict between these Business Terms and the General Terms, these Business Terms control with respect to Business Account functionality.
1.1 Account Owner Acceptance. By claiming an existing business profile or creating a new Business Account on the platform, and completing any applicable verification process, you agree to these Business Terms on behalf of yourself and the Business you represent, in addition to the General Terms.
1.2 Authorized User Acceptance. Any person granted access to a Business Account by the Account Owner ("Authorized User") agrees to these Business Terms upon first accessing Business Account functionality. VerSquare will present an acknowledgment notice to each Authorized User on their first access to a Business Account. The Account Owner is responsible for ensuring that each Authorized User is aware of and complies with these Business Terms.
1.3 Material Updates. VerSquare may update these Business Terms from time to time. We will notify Business Account holders of material changes through the platform and, where practicable, by email to the address associated with the Business Account. Your continued use of Business Account functionality after the effective date of updated terms constitutes acceptance of those changes. For changes that materially increase your financial obligations or expand the scope of content licensing, VerSquare will provide at least thirty (30) days' advance notice before the changes take effect. The General Terms Section 20.3 (Material Changes) also applies.
2. Authority and Representation
2.1 Account Owner Representations. By claiming or creating a Business Account, you represent and warrant that:
(a) You are authorized to act on behalf of the business entity whose profile you are claiming or creating ("the Business");
(b) You have the legal authority to bind the Business to these Business Terms;
(c) You are either: (i) an owner, officer, or partner of the Business; (ii) an employee with express authorization to manage the Business's online presence; or (iii) a third-party agent (such as a marketing agency) with written authorization from the Business;
(d) If acting as a third-party agent, you will provide written authorization from the Business upon our request within 5 business days;
(e) The Business is a legally formed entity in good standing in its jurisdiction of formation.
2.2 Authorized Users. The Account Owner may grant other individuals access to the Business Account as Authorized Users. The Account Owner represents and warrants that each Authorized User is either an employee, officer, or authorized agent of the Business. The Account Owner is responsible for:
(a) All actions taken by Authorized Users within the Business Account;
(b) Ensuring each Authorized User complies with these Business Terms and the General Terms;
(c) Promptly revoking access for any Authorized User whose relationship with the Business ends or whose authority is revoked.
2.3 Cessation of Authority. If your authority to act on behalf of the Business is revoked or expires, you must immediately notify VerSquare and cease managing the Business Account. This obligation applies to both Account Owners and Authorized Users.
3. Claim and Registration Verification
3.1 Verification Required. To claim an existing business profile or create a new Business Account, you must complete our verification process. Verification methods include:
Automated Verification:
- Confirming access to an email address at the Business's primary domain (e.g., name@businessdomain.com)
Manual Verification (when automated verification is unavailable):
- Submission of business documentation (articles of incorporation, business license, professional credentials)
- Phone verification to the Business's publicly listed number
- Other methods we determine to be reasonably reliable
Verification confirms that the claimant has a plausible connection to the Business. Verification does NOT constitute endorsement, vetting, or certification of the Business by VerSquare.
3.2 Our Rights. We reserve the right to:
- Deny a claim or registration if verification is insufficient
- Revoke a verified Business Account if we later determine the claim was fraudulent or the claimant's authority has lapsed
- Require re-verification at any time
- Transfer Business Account control to a different authorized representative of the Business upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of authority
3.3 Ownership Disputes. If you believe that another party has improperly claimed or is managing a business profile belonging to your Business, you may submit a dispute to support@versquare.com with documentation supporting your claim of authority. VerSquare will review ownership disputes in its sole discretion and may suspend, transfer, or revoke Business Account access as it determines appropriate. VerSquare is not obligated to resolve disputes between competing claimants and may require the parties to resolve the matter independently before taking action.
4. Profile Content Ownership and License
4.1 Your Content. As between you and VerSquare, you (or the Business) retain ownership of all original content you submit to your Business Account profile, including business descriptions, service listings, team bios, and other text you author ("Business Content").
4.2 License Grant. By submitting Business Content to the Platform, you grant VerSquare a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable license, sublicensable to service providers and partners necessary to operate and promote the Platform, to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display such Business Content in connection with the Platform and VerSquare's business operations, including:
- Displaying Business Content on the Platform and in search results
- Distributing Business Content to third-party search engines, directories, and data aggregators
- Using Business Content in VerSquare marketing and promotional materials
- Creating derivative works (e.g., excerpts, summaries, reformatted versions) for Platform features
- Caching, indexing, and archiving Business Content for Platform functionality
4.3 License Duration. This license survives termination of your Business Account solely to the extent necessary to: (a) maintain archived copies for legal or regulatory purposes; (b) display factual business information as described in Section 8; and (c) fulfill any sublicense obligations existing at the time of termination.
4.4 Third-Party Content. If you submit content that includes third-party materials (e.g., client testimonials, partner logos), you represent that you have obtained all necessary rights and permissions to grant the license in Section 4.2.
5. Accuracy Warranty
You represent and warrant that all information you provide through your Business Account, including but not limited to:
- Business legal name and DBA
- Business address and contact information
- Services offered and service areas
- Licensing and credential information
- Team member names and roles
- Fees, rates, and pricing information
- Years in business and experience claims
- Awards, certifications, and affiliations
is accurate, complete, and not misleading as of the date provided, and that you will maintain its accuracy in accordance with Section 12 (Update Obligations).
You acknowledge that users of the Platform rely on Business Account information when making financial and business decisions, and that inaccurate information may cause material harm.
VerSquare does not independently verify the accuracy of self-reported Business Content (except as described in Section 3) and disclaims liability for inaccuracies in Business Content. The accuracy warranty runs from you to VerSquare and does not create any third-party beneficiary rights.
6. Logo, Photo, and Media Rights
6.1 Ownership. You (or the Business) retain all intellectual property rights in logos, photographs, images, videos, and other media you upload to your Business Account ("Business Media").
6.2 License. By uploading Business Media, you grant VerSquare the same license described in Section 4.2, and additionally authorize VerSquare to:
- Resize, crop, reformat, and compress Business Media for display across different devices and contexts
- Generate thumbnails and previews
- Include Business Media in Platform-generated materials (e.g., directory listings, comparison pages, marketing materials)
6.3 Representations. You represent and warrant that:
- You own or have obtained all necessary rights in the Business Media
- The Business Media does not infringe any third party's intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights
- Any individuals depicted in Business Media have consented to their likeness being used on the Platform
- The Business Media does not contain misleading or deceptive imagery
6.4 Removal. You may remove Business Media from your profile at any time through the Platform interface. Upon removal, VerSquare will cease displaying the media within a commercially reasonable time, though cached or archived copies may persist as described in Section 4.3.
6.5 Nominative Use After Termination. Following termination of your Business Account, VerSquare may continue to use the Business's name, logo, and trademarks solely to identify the Business on the Platform (for example, on an unclaimed listing or in connection with reviews and ratings associated with the Business). This right is limited to nominative use for identification purposes and does not extend to marketing or promotional use after termination.
7. Content Moderation
7.1 General Framework. Business Content and Business Media are subject to the content moderation provisions of General Terms Section 10 (Content Moderation and Enforcement), including automated and manual review, appeals, and enforcement actions. In addition to the moderation grounds described in the General Terms, VerSquare may moderate Business Content that:
- Does not meet our quality or formatting standards for business profiles
- Contains inaccurate, misleading, or unverifiable claims about the Business's credentials, licensing, or experience
- Misrepresents the Business's relationship to other entities listed on the Platform
7.2 Notification. When we modify or remove Business Content, we will make reasonable efforts to notify you of the action taken and the reason, except where:
- Notification would compromise an ongoing investigation
- The content poses an immediate legal risk
- Notification is prohibited by law
8. Subscription Lapse and Content Retention
8.1 Active Subscription Benefits. While your subscription is active, your Business Account includes access to enhanced features as described on the Platform's pricing page or in your subscription agreement. Enhanced features may vary by subscription tier and are subject to change.
8.2 Upon Subscription Lapse. If your subscription expires or is cancelled:
(a) Enhanced features revert. All subscription-tier features (e.g., priority placement, enhanced customization, analytics access) will be deactivated. Your profile will revert to the free-tier presentation.
(b) Factual information remains. Core factual information about the Business - including business name, address, phone number, services offered, licensing status, and user reviews - may continue to be displayed on the Platform. This information serves the public interest of transparency and informed decision-making.
(c) Business Content authored by you. Descriptive content you authored (e.g., custom business descriptions, team bios beyond basic names/roles) may be archived and no longer publicly displayed at the discretion of the Platform, unless such content has been incorporated into Platform-generated summaries or listings.
(d) Reviews persist. User-submitted reviews of the Business are owned by their respective authors and are not affected by the status of your Business Account. Reviews will continue to be displayed regardless of your subscription status.
(e) Business Media. Uploaded logos and photos remain displayed unless you request removal by contacting support@versquare.com. The Business's name and factual information will continue to appear regardless.
8.3 Cancellation vs. Termination. Cancelling your subscription and terminating your Business Account are separate actions. Cancelling your subscription ends your access to enhanced features as described in Section 8.2, but your Business Account and profile remain on the Platform. Terminating your Business Account is governed by Section 14. See also General Terms Section 18.4 (Subscription Cancellation vs. Account Termination).
8.4 Reclaiming. You may reactivate your Business Account at any time by renewing your subscription. Previously submitted Business Content will be restored where technically feasible.
9. Provider Conduct Standards
9.1 Prohibited Conduct. As a Business Account holder, you must not:
(a) Review gating. Selectively solicit reviews based on anticipated sentiment (e.g., asking only satisfied customers to leave reviews while discouraging dissatisfied ones).
(b) Review solicitation with incentives. Offer any form of compensation, discount, gift, or benefit in exchange for reviews, whether positive or negative.
(c) Retaliation. Take adverse action against any person because they left or threatened to leave a negative review, including but not limited to: refusing service, threatening legal action, reporting to credit agencies, or publicly identifying the reviewer.
(d) Non-disparagement clauses. Include non-disparagement or review-suppression clauses in any customer contract, agreement, or terms of service. Any such clause is void and unenforceable as applied to reviews on this Platform (see Section 10).
(e) Review manipulation. Post, commission, or facilitate fake reviews of your own business or competitors' businesses. This includes creating fake accounts, paying for reviews, or coordinating review campaigns.
(f) Astroturfing. Post content that appears to be from an independent third party but is actually authored by or on behalf of the Business without disclosure.
(g) Harassment of reviewers. Attempt to identify, contact, threaten, or harass any person who has posted a review of your Business through channels outside the Platform.
(h) Peer review solicitation. Solicit or encourage reviews from professional peers, collaborators, or other service providers with whom you have a business relationship, rather than from actual clients or customers. Reviews on the Platform are intended to reflect client experiences, not professional peer opinions (see General Terms Section 3.7).
(i) Misrepresentation. Represent that your Business has any endorsement, affiliation, or certification from VerSquare beyond the verification status actually granted.
9.2 Consequences. Violation of these conduct standards may result in:
- Warning and mandatory corrective action
- Temporary suspension of Business Account privileges
- Removal of the "Verified" badge
- Permanent termination of Business Account
- Public notation on the business profile that conduct violations occurred
- Referral to appropriate regulatory authorities
VerSquare may apply graduated or immediate enforcement at its discretion, consistent with the enforcement framework in the General Terms (Section 10.5).
10. Consumer Review Fairness Act Compliance
10.1 CRFA Statement. VerSquare supports and complies with the Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016 (15 U.S.C. 45b) ("CRFA"). The CRFA protects consumers' ability to share honest reviews about businesses.
10.2 Void Clauses. Pursuant to the CRFA, any provision in a form contract that:
(a) Prohibits or restricts a consumer from posting reviews or feedback about the Business's products, services, or conduct;
(b) Imposes penalties or fees on a consumer for posting such reviews or feedback; or
(c) Requires a consumer to transfer intellectual property rights in their review content to the Business
is void and unenforceable as it relates to reviews posted on this Platform.
10.3 Business Acknowledgment. By maintaining a Business Account, you acknowledge that:
- Consumers have the right to post honest reviews about their experiences with your Business
- You will not enforce or attempt to enforce any contract provision that would violate the CRFA or applicable state consumer review protection laws
- You will not threaten consumers with legal action for posting honest reviews
- VerSquare may report suspected CRFA violations to the Federal Trade Commission or applicable state regulatory authorities
11. Right of Response to Reviews
11.1 General Framework. Business Account holders may respond to reviews of their Business in accordance with General Terms Section 11 (Right of Response to Reviews), which governs response limits, basic guidelines, and removal. The following additional requirements apply to Business Account responses.
11.2 Additional Business Account Response Requirements. In addition to the General Terms response guidelines, Business Account responses must:
(a) Not redirect users to third-party review platforms
(b) Not include promotional or marketing content unrelated to the review topic
11.3 Privacy in Responses. You must not disclose in your response any information about the reviewer's transactions, account status, financial details, or other private information, even if the reviewer is identifiable or has publicly identified themselves. The only exception is information the reviewer has already disclosed in their own review. Responses that violate reviewer privacy will be removed and may result in suspension of response privileges.
12. Update Obligations
12.1 Material Changes. You must update your Business Account profile within 7 calendar days of any material change to:
- Business legal name, DBA, or trade name
- Business address or primary contact information
- Services offered or service areas
- Licensing status (new, expired, suspended, revoked)
- Ownership or legal structure
- Business closure or cessation of operations
- Any information subject to the accuracy warranty in Section 5
12.2 Notification. For changes that cannot be reflected through the self-service profile editor (e.g., ownership transfer, business closure), you must notify VerSquare directly at support@versquare.com.
12.3 Failure to Update. Failure to maintain accurate profile information may result in:
- Display of an "Information May Be Outdated" label on the profile
- Suspension of enhanced subscription features
- Removal of the "Verified" badge
- Suspension or termination of the Business Account
12.4 VerSquare's Right to Update. VerSquare may independently update factual business information (such as address, licensing status, or business closure) based on publicly available sources, regulatory databases, or user reports. We will make reasonable efforts to notify you of material changes we make to your profile, but are not obligated to do so before making such changes.
13. Sponsored Placement Disclosure
13.1 Subscription Impact on Visibility. Subscription status may affect how a Business is presented on the Platform, including but not limited to:
- Search result ordering and prominence
- Profile feature richness (enhanced descriptions, media, team pages)
- Badge display ("Verified," "Featured," or similar designations)
- Inclusion in curated lists, recommendations, or comparison tools
13.2 Disclosure. Where subscription status materially affects the ordering or prominence of search results, VerSquare will clearly disclose this to users through:
- Labeling sponsored or promoted results (e.g., "Sponsored," "Partner," "Featured," or equivalent)
- Providing users with an option to sort results by non-commercial criteria (e.g., rating, proximity, relevance)
- Distinguishing between organic and paid placement in any recommendation or comparison feature
13.3 No Pay-for-Rating. Subscription status will never affect:
- User review scores or ratings
- The visibility or ordering of user reviews
- The content of VerSquare's independently sourced factual information
- Fraud detection, moderation, or enforcement actions
13.4 FTC Compliance. All placement disclosures comply with Federal Trade Commission guidelines on endorsements and advertising, including the FTC's Endorsement Guides (16 CFR Part 255) and any applicable guidance on native advertising.
14. Termination
14.1 Voluntary Termination. You may terminate your Business Account at any time by contacting us at support@versquare.com. Termination of your Business Account does not terminate your underlying user account or the General Terms.
14.2 Effect of Termination. Upon termination of your Business Account:
- Enhanced subscription features are immediately deactivated
- Content retention follows Section 8 (Subscription Lapse)
- Your license grants to VerSquare survive as described in Section 4.3
- Outstanding payment obligations survive termination
- Sections 2 (representations regarding the period of your Business Account), 4.3 (surviving license), 5 (accuracy warranty for period of use), 8 (content retention), 9 (conduct standards for the period of use), and this Section 14 survive termination
14.3 VerSquare-Initiated Termination. VerSquare may terminate your Business Account immediately and without notice if:
- You breach these Business Terms or the General Terms
- Your claim verification is found to be fraudulent
- Your authority to act on behalf of the Business is revoked
- The Business ceases to exist or is dissolved
- Required by law, regulation, or court order
14.4 No Early Termination Fee. VerSquare does not charge early termination fees. If you terminate mid-subscription period, you will not receive a prorated refund unless required by applicable law. See also General Terms Section 18.5 (No Refunds).
14.5 Re-Registration After Termination. If VerSquare terminates your Business Account under Section 14.3, the Business may not re-claim or create a new Business Account without prior written permission from VerSquare. See also General Terms Section 18.6. This restriction applies to the Business entity, its owners, and any Authorized Users associated with the terminated account.
Appendix A: Definitions
For clarity and consistency with the General Terms, the following definitions apply throughout these Business Terms. Where a term is also defined in the General Terms, the definition below controls for purposes of these Business Terms.
- "Account Owner" - The individual who claims an existing business profile or creates a new Business Account, and who is the primary holder responsible for the account and all Authorized Users.
- "Authorized User" - An individual granted access to a Business Account by the Account Owner, as described in Section 1.2 and Section 2.2. See also General Terms Section 2.
- "Business" - The business entity or sole proprietorship whose profile is being claimed or created and managed through the Business Account. This includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and any other lawful business form.
- "Business Account" - The account status and associated features activated when a user claims an existing business profile or creates a new business profile on the Platform.
- "Business Content" - Original text content submitted by the Account Owner or Authorized Users to the Business Account profile, including business descriptions, service listings, and team biographies.
- "Business Media" - Logos, photographs, images, videos, documents (such as PDFs, brochures, and capability statements), and other media or files uploaded by the Account Owner or Authorized Users to the Business Account.
- "Business Terms" - These Business Account Terms.
- "General Terms" - The VerSquare Terms of Service, as amended from time to time.
- "Platform" - The VerSquare website, applications, and related services operated by Search Assistant, Inc.