We all love a good win. Slapping an award badge on a website or social media profile instantly boosts credibility, right? Well, sometimes. The unfortunate truth is, some awards are about as real as a $20 Rolex sold out of the back of a van. If you’ve ever looked at a company’s website and thought, "Wait a second, did they really earn that?" — this blog is for you.
Let's break down the telltale signs of awards that don’t quite hold up and how to separate true industry recognition from glorified participation trophies.
The "Pay-to-Win" Problem
Some companies operate under the business model of "give us cash, and we’ll give you an award." These so-called honors have a suspiciously simple nomination process, little to no judging criteria, and, surprise, a hefty entry fee. Now, paying a fee to submit an award entry isn’t inherently bad (real awards require administrative costs), but if everyone who pays gets a trophy, that’s a problem.
Clue to watch for: If a company has racked up 10+ awards in one year that no one’s heard of, chances are they’re buying them like concert merch.
Mystery Judges & "Secret" Criteria
Legit awards are judged by a panel of industry experts, people with real names, faces, and reputations. They usually have clear guidelines and scoring methods. If an award doesn’t disclose its judges or the criteria used to determine winners, that’s a neon-red flag.
Clue to watch for: Vague phrasing like “Our esteemed panel of experts” with no names, LinkedIn profiles, or affiliations listed anywhere.
The "Nobody’s Heard of It" Factor
A real award is backed by a respected organization, trade publication, or industry body. If you Google an award name and find little more than a single website with no press coverage, you might be looking at an award created purely for revenue, not recognition.
Clue to watch for: If the only articles announcing winners are on the award’s own website, it’s not a great sign.
Suspiciously Broad Award Titles
"Best Business Ever 2024." "Top Performing CEO." These ultra-generic awards don’t mean much because they’re not rooted in any actual industry standards. A real award usually focuses on a specific sector, measurable achievements, or a defined area of expertise.
Clue to watch for: If an award sounds like it came from a name generator, it probably has the same credibility as one.
The Solution: Verifiable Blockchain Digital Certificates
One of the best ways to ensure an award is legitimate is through blockchain-based digital certificates. These certificates provide an unalterable, publicly verifiable record that proves the award was earned, not purchased. Unlike traditional digital certificates, which can be easily faked, blockchain-backed verification ensures that only authentic awards can be linked to recipients.
What to look for: Awards that use blockchain verification for their certificates will have a traceable, transparent system that allows you to confirm authenticity instantly.