I am looking for a bit of input on the verification of provider images on a couple of hobby advertising sites.

Preferred411 has a scattering of profiles tagged with the notation "Photos Verified."

Eros has a select group of listings identified with the comment "Eros Authenticated."

Providers:  Assuming this is a simple (and inexpensive) process, why don't a greater number of providers seek these "stamps of approval?"

Hobbyists:  Has either of these photographic distinctions influenced your choice in providers?

It is inexpensive but if you change any picture after you first pay them you have to pay another fee ... I prefer to update my pictures quite often AND I assume that if my pictures don't represent me well then my TER reviews would reflect that, so its not worth my time and money.

So I would view the P411 designation positively but the EROS one I consider meaningless.

to be worthwhile, it must also be intrusive.  Which is why one might not do it.

In the case of the eros-minn photo verification, all it verifies is that the photos of the lady is in fact the same photo of the person who placed the ad. Nothing else. Doesn't mean bait and switch won't happen, nor a host of other unpleasant possibiities.

There was a discussion recently of one well-known apparent rip-off merchant who is eros authenticated. She's been on my radar for a while but it was the fact she's on a TER black list that set alarm bells ringing. So I guess the answer is, yes it's a genuine photo if it's authenticated, but a genuine picture of who? Someone who has access to a computer is who, and nothing else.

I'm not a frequent hobbyist but when I am, I stick to the 3 'R's... Research, research, research.