📌 Overview
Some publishers report two related problems: payments that arrive later than expected, and sites that pass verification but are later flagged for low Domain Authority (DA) or other issues. This article explains the common causes and the steps that usually fix them. It also covers what to prepare so our team can resolve your case quickly.
Note: Publisher requirements and payment schedules can be updated over time. Always treat the requirements shown in your publisher dashboard as the most current version.
🔁 How Many Times Do I Need to Verify My Site?
In most cases, a site should only need to be verified once. You may be asked to verify again if something has changed or the system can no longer confirm your ownership or site status. Common triggers include:
- The verification code, file, or DNS record was removed (for example, during a site migration, theme change, plugin update, or cache clear).
- The domain, URL structure, or hosting changed (for example, moving from HTTP to HTTPS or adding or removing www).
- The site was temporarily offline, blocked automated checks, or returned errors when we tried to reach it.
- The site was submitted more than once, creating duplicate entries.
If you are asked to verify the same site repeatedly and none of the above applies, contact our team using the steps at the end of this article. Repeated verification without a clear reason should be reviewed.
📉 Why Does a Site Show Low DA After It Met the Requirements?
DA is a third-party score, not a number Search Atlas controls. It is recalculated periodically and can change between the time you submit a site and the time it is reviewed again. A site can therefore meet the requirements at submission and fall below the minimum later.
Common reasons include:
- Score updates: DA is recalculated, so a site near the minimum can drop below it without any change on your end.
- Different tools, different numbers: Free DA checkers often show cached or estimated values that differ from the source used for review.
- Site changes: Lost backlinks, removed content, or a new domain setup can lower authority.
- Other quality checks: A site can also be flagged for reasons unrelated to DA, such as low traffic, thin or off-topic content, spam signals, or indexing problems.
⏳ Why Are My Payments Arriving Late?
Payment timing usually depends on the status of the work behind it. Common causes of delays include:
- Pending review: A published post or link may still be under quality review, or flagged for a re-check.
- Site re-evaluation: If a site is being re-verified or re-checked for DA, related payments may be held until the review is complete.
- Changed or removed content: Links or posts that were edited, moved, or taken down after publication can hold up payment.
- Incomplete payment details: Missing or outdated payout information can stop a payment from being sent.
- Payment cycle timing: Payments are processed in cycles, so work completed near a cutoff may be paid in the following cycle.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Resolve the Issue
- Check your site status. Open your publisher dashboard and look at the status of each affected site and order. Note whether it shows pending, verified, flagged, or rejected.
- Confirm your verification is still in place. Make sure the verification code, file, or DNS record is still on your site, and that your site loads normally without blocking automated visits.
- Re-check your DA. Look up your current DA using a reliable tool and compare it to the minimum shown in your dashboard. If you are only slightly above the minimum, expect that it may dip below it later.
- Review your published content. Confirm that all posts and links are still live, indexed, and unchanged from when they were approved.
- Verify your payout details. Make sure your payment information is complete and correct.
- Gather your details. Note the site URLs, order or payment references, the dates you expected payment, and any status or rejection messages you received.
- Contact our team. Share these details so we can review your account directly.
💡 Tips to Avoid Repeat Problems
- Keep verification codes, files, and DNS records in place permanently, and re-add them right away after any site migration or redesign.
- Submit sites with a comfortable DA margin above the minimum, not right at the threshold.
- Avoid editing or removing published posts and links after approval unless asked to.
- Keep your site online and reachable, and do not block verification checks with firewalls or security plugins.
- Submit each site only once, and keep your payout details up to date.
- Check your dashboard regularly so you can fix flagged issues before they affect payments.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be paid for work completed while my site was under review? This depends on the outcome of the review and the status of the published content. Our team can confirm the status of specific payments once they review your account.
Can I appeal a DA rejection? Yes. If you believe the result is incorrect, share your site URL and your current DA evidence with our team and they will review it.
Why was my site accepted before but flagged now? Metrics and site conditions change over time, and sites can be re-evaluated. A site that passed earlier may need to meet the current requirements to remain eligible.
💬 Need More Help?
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team. Please include your site URLs, payment or order references, and any status messages you have received so we can resolve your case faster.