Since 2006, we’ve been building the world’s largest database tracking which parts of the internet run on renewable power – the Green Web Dataset. The Dataset powers a lot of our open source work, including the Green Web Check, Green Web Directory, and our Greencheck API. Over 7 million checks per day are made against the Dataset, and it is essential infrastructure for major software carbon estimation projects like Website Carbon Calculator, Ecograder, and WebPageTest. Our Green Web Directory, used by thousands each month, allows people to query the Dataset to find verified green hosting options in their country.
Hosting providers get verified with us to become included in the Dataset as a way to publicly show their commitment towards the mission of a fossil-free internet by 2030. Once a hosting provider is verified, checks performed against websites hosted by that provider show as green in our API and Green Web Check. We’ve written another FAQ to explain in more detail how the Green Web Check works.
From time to time, though, the status of a hosting provider might change and they are no longer recognised by us as a verified green hosting provider. This FAQ explains some common scenarios when and why this might occur.
1. They have failed to reverify with us
Reverification is our term for the process where a previously verified green hosting provider submits updated evidence to show that they continue to meet the criteria for being listed as a green provider.
We ask providers to reverify on a yearly basis. If a provider is unable to successfully reverify with us, then we will archive that provider in our Dataset. At that time, they are no longer recognised as a green hosting provider, and Green Web Checks for sites hosted by that provider will show as grey.
We have written about the reverification process in more detail in this FAQ: What is reverification for hosting providers?
2. We have been unable to contact the provider
Every provider listed in our Dataset should have at least one user assigned who is responsible for keeping that provider listing up to date.
From time to time we might try to contact a user about their provider. This could be as part of the reverification process, or because of some other updates we might need them to make.
Sometimes, we notice that emails bounce as people leave organisations or companies merge. When this happens, we:
- Will try to find a suitable contact. This is normally the hosting provider’s support or sales mailbox.
- Will allow 45 days for a reply (with periodic reminders).
If no reply is received after 45 days, we will archive that provider in our Dataset. At that time, they are no longer recognised as a green hosting provider, and Green Web Checks for sites hosted by that provider will show as grey.
3. They were relying on the green status of another upstream service that is no longer verified
A provider can be listed in our Dataset as a verified green host if they are an active customer or reseller of another service which is also recognised as green in our Dataset. When this happens, the provider’s green status is reliant on that of the upstream service they use.
If, for the reasons we have listed above, the upstream service’s green status changes (becomes archived) then that will also impact any downstream providers of that service listed in our Dataset. When such a change happens, we try our best to notify affected linked providers ahead of any change being made.
Once an upstream service is archived, we give all linked providers 45 days to provide updated evidence to independently support their listing in our Dataset. After 45 days, any provider that has not been able to submit updated evidence will be archived. At that time, they are no longer recognised as a green hosting provider, and Green Web Checks for sites hosted by that provider will show as grey.
How can my provider be listed as green again?
It’s possible for a provider that has been archived in our Dataset to have their green status reinstated. This can be done in two ways.
If you are a customer
If you are a customer of the provider in question, you can let the provider know that their green status has changed. You can do this by email or through social media channels. Including a link to the results for your site in the Green Web Check might be helpful to provide some additional context.
You should encourage the provider to contact us as soon as possible.
You work for the provider
If you work for the provider, you can update the listing by providing updated evidence through the Provider Portal or by contacting.
Have further questions or feedback?
It’s in everybody’s interest that the listings in the Green Web Dataset are accurate and can be trusted. It’s an important part of our mission to transition to a fossil-free internet by 2030.
As we’re an open source project, we welcome contributions and input from others to help us achieve this goal. Get in touch via our Support mailbox or if you think it’s appropriate by raising an issue on any of our GitHub repositories.