Account Verification Policy
Market Data verifies the identity and employment information of all paid subscribers. This is a requirement of the exchanges whose data we distribute: before we can activate real-time data on an account, we must classify the subscriber as either a professional or non-professional user and certify that classification to the exchange.
See Professional Status Policy for details on what the classifications mean and the consequences of misclassification.
If your account verification is delayed or you've been asked to provide additional documentation, see Account Troubleshooting for help with common issues.
Information We Collect
| Contact Information | Employer Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Company Name |
| Address | Address |
| Job Title | |
| Phone Number | LinkedIn Profile URL |
Subscribers employed by banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions are subject to a more thorough review.
Verification Process
After sign-up, we verify that the information you provided matches third-party databases, including LinkedIn. We also review FINRA BrokerCheck to determine whether you hold any active securities licenses. The outcome of this review determines your professional or non-professional classification.
Profiles with missing or incomplete information cannot be classified. Your account will not be activated for real-time data until verification is complete.
Missing or Mismatching Information
All fields are required and must match third-party databases. If your profile contains missing, incomplete, or mismatched information, we will request additional documentation — such as a CV, employment letter, or other materials that clarify your job function.
LinkedIn Profiles
A LinkedIn profile is not required, but it is the easiest way for us to verify your employment information because it is a widely used, publicly accessible professional database. If you do not have a LinkedIn profile or prefer not to share it, just write https://www.linkedin.com in the form field and you can provide any of the following as an alternative:
- A current resume or CV
- A photo of your business card showing your current job title and employer
- A recent paystub (please redact any sensitive financial data)
- Any other document that confirms your current employer and role
Subscribers Who Are Retired or Not Currently Working
If you are retired or not currently working, you must provide work history that clearly documents your most recent position. Your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV must show all of the following:
- Employer — the name of the company or organization
- Job title — the role you held
- End date — the month and year your most recent position ended
We cannot accept a profile or resume that only lists a job title or employer without a clear end date, as this does not allow us to confirm that you are no longer employed. If your LinkedIn profile does not show this information, please provide a resume or CV that does.
This helps us confirm that you are not currently employed in a role that would qualify as professional use under exchange rules. See Professional Status Policy for details on how professional status is determined.
Self-Employed and Business Owners
If you are self-employed or own a business, your professional status will depend on the nature of the business itself — specifically, whether the business has a need for market data as part of its products or services. This triggers an additional verification step beyond what is required for employed subscribers.
You must provide at least one document that confirms what your business does. Acceptable documentation includes:
- A company LinkedIn page
- A business website
- A brochure or marketing materials describing your products or services
- A business registration or filing that describes the nature of the business
A self-reported business name and description alone is not sufficient. We need independent documentation that confirms the business is not involved in financial services, trading, or other activities that would classify you as a professional user under exchange rules. See Professional Status Policy for details.
Verification Timeframe
We will complete verification within 1 business day of you providing the required information.
Annual Review
Once per year, we will ask you to confirm that your information is still accurate. You can do this by logging into your account and responding to the prompt that appears after one year has passed since your last verification.
If your employment or professional registration has changed in a way that affects your classification, you are required to update your information and notify us. See Professional Status Policy for more details.
Privacy
The information we collect is used solely to verify your account and comply with exchange regulations. We do not sell your information to third parties. We are required to share it with the stock and options exchanges, who review it periodically for accuracy.