🗺️ Overview
If a website you own is already listed on the Publication Media platform under another publisher's account, you can formally request an ownership transfer. This article walks you through the verification process and explains what to expect.
⚙️ How Website Ownership Works
Each domain on the Publication Media platform can only be linked to one publisher account at a time. Ownership is confirmed through a domain verification check — the platform looks for a unique verification code placed on your website. Whoever successfully verifies the code is recognised as the legitimate owner.
If someone has already listed your domain, you will not be able to add it through the standard flow until the dispute is resolved.
🛠️ Step 1 — Prepare Your Verification Evidence
Before raising a dispute, gather the following to support your claim:
- Proof of domain ownership — a screenshot or export from your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains) showing your name or organisation as the registered owner.
- Access credentials — confirmation that you control the website's hosting or DNS settings (you will need this to place a verification code).
- The domain in question — note the exact URL as it appears on the platform (e.g., mit.edu.co.bz).
📋 Step 2 — Attempt to Add the Website Yourself
- In the left sidebar, navigate to Website Studio (or go to /website-studio).
- Click Add Website and enter your domain.
- If the domain is already claimed, you will see a notice indicating it is registered under another account.
- Note any error message or reference number shown — this helps our team locate the record quickly.
📞 Step 3 — Contact Support to Open a Dispute
Once you have your evidence ready and have confirmed the domain is already claimed, contact our support team directly through the platform. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.
When you connect, share the following details:
- The exact domain you are disputing (e.g., mit.edu.co.bz)
- Your registrar proof of ownership
- Your Search Atlas account email
- Any error message or reference number from Step 2
🔎 Step 4 — Verification Review Process
Our team will carry out the following steps after receiving your dispute:
- Identity check — we verify that the domain's WHOIS or registrar record matches your account information.
- Active code check — we check whether the current listing has a valid, active verification code on the domain.
- Ownership transfer — if your claim is validated and the existing listing cannot prove active ownership, the domain will be reassigned to your account.
- Re-verification — you will be asked to place a verification code on your site to complete the transfer and activate your listing.
Resolution times vary depending on the complexity of the case, but our team will keep you updated throughout the process via the chat thread.
⚠️ Important Notes
- Disputes are reviewed manually and require clear registrar-level proof — platform screenshots alone are not sufficient.
- If the current publisher can demonstrate active, verified ownership, the dispute may not be upheld. In that case, our team will explain next steps.
- Once a domain is transferred to your account, any previously placed orders linked to that listing will be reviewed separately by our team.
- Make sure your domain verification code remains on your site after setup — the platform runs monthly health checks to confirm ongoing ownership.
💡 Tips to Avoid Future Disputes
- Add your websites to the platform as soon as you acquire them to prevent others from listing them first.
- Keep your registrar contact details up to date so ownership can be confirmed quickly.
- Do not remove your verification code from your site after setup — doing so may trigger a failed health check and place a hold on your payouts.