VidIQ is a powerful tool for YouTube creators, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you’re hitting a growth plateau, finding the interface cluttered, or simply seeking features better aligned with your specific workflow, exploring a VidIQ alternative can unlock new strategies for your channel. Maybe you need a more focused tool for thumbnail analysis, a simpler interface for keyword research, or a pricing plan that better fits your budget as an individual creator or a growing agency.
This guide is designed to cut through the noise and help you find the perfect replacement. We’re diving deep into the best VidIQ alternatives available, moving beyond generic feature lists. For each tool, you’ll get an honest look at its core strengths, potential drawbacks, ideal use cases, and clear pricing breakdowns. We’ll show you exactly what makes each platform unique, from TubeBuddy’s deep channel integration to the laser-focused thumbnail intelligence of Thumb Scout.
We’ve done the heavy lifting so you can make a confident decision. This resource provides a straightforward comparison with screenshots and direct links, equipping you to choose the right tool to optimize your content, boost your views, and achieve your YouTube goals faster. Let’s find the platform that will truly elevate your channel’s performance.
1. Thumb Scout
When it comes to mastering the visual-first world of YouTube, Thumb Scout emerges as a powerful and refreshingly focused vidiq alternative. Instead of trying to be an all-in-one suite, it dedicates its entire functionality to solving one of the most critical parts of the YouTube equation: creating high-performing thumbnails. This free Chrome extension integrates directly into your YouTube browsing experience, giving you an immediate competitive edge.
Its core strength lies in its ability to overlay real-time performance scores onto every thumbnail you see on YouTube, from search results to your subscription feed. This removes guesswork entirely, allowing you to instantly identify what designs are truly capturing audience attention in your niche. Stop guessing and start knowing what visuals work; install Thumb Scout from the Chrome Web Store to see the data for yourself.
Standout Features & Real-World Use Cases
Thumb Scout isn’t just about data; it’s about actionable insights that save time and boost performance.
- Dynamic ThumbRank Scoring: With a single click, you can sort all visible thumbnails by their performance score. This is a game-changer for competitive analysis, allowing you to see top-performing designs in seconds rather than minutes. For creators managing multiple client channels, this feature alone can reclaim hours each week.
- Custom Inspiration Sets: Found a thumbnail that’s crushing it? Save it to a custom collection directly within the extension. Graphic designers and content teams can build niche-specific swipe files for inspiration, ensuring every new design is informed by proven success.
- In-Browser Analysis: Unlike many tools that require you to analyze videos one-by-one in a separate dashboard, Thumb Scout works seamlessly within YouTube. This makes research feel fluid and intuitive, not like a chore.
Key Takeaway: Thumb Scout excels by providing hyper-focused, real-time data where creators need it most: directly on YouTube. It turns passive browsing into active research, significantly cutting down on thumbnail ideation time.
Why It’s a Top VidIQ Alternative
While VidIQ offers a broad spectrum of channel management tools, Thumb Scout’s specialized approach makes it a superior vidiq alternative for anyone prioritizing click-through rate (CTR) optimization. It provides deeper, more immediate thumbnail intelligence without the complexity of a full analytics suite.
- Pros:
- Real-time performance scores provide instant feedback.
- The ThumbRank feature dramatically speeds up competitive research.
- Saving thumbnails to custom sets streamlines creative workflows.
- It’s completely free, offering immense value without a subscription.
- Helps improve CTR by teaching what visual elements resonate with audiences.
- Cons:
- Currently limited to the Chrome browser.
- Scores for very new or low-traffic videos may be less precise due to limited public data.
For creators and marketers who understand that a video’s success often begins before the first click, this tool is indispensable. You can get more details on optimizing your visuals by learning about the correct YouTube thumbnail size.
Ready to transform your thumbnail strategy? Try Thumb Scout for free and see the difference data-driven design can make.
2. TubeBuddy
TubeBuddy is often seen as the friendly, accessible counterpart to VidIQ, making it an excellent VidIQ alternative for creators who want powerful features without a steep learning curve. It integrates directly into your YouTube dashboard as a browser extension, feeling like a natural extension of the platform itself. This seamless experience is its biggest selling point, as you don’t need to constantly switch between tabs to access its tools.
What makes TubeBuddy stand out are its productivity-focused tools. The bulk processing features for updating cards, end screens, and descriptions across multiple videos can save you hours of tedious work. Its A/B testing tool for thumbnails and titles is also a game-changer, providing concrete data on what resonates with your audience. For a more focused approach to thumbnail analysis, you could also use a specialized tool like Thumb Scout.
Key Features & Pricing
TubeBuddy offers a robust free version, but its true power is unlocked with paid plans.
- Pro ($4.50/month): Unlocks most video optimization tools, keyword research, and productivity features.
- Star ($11.50/month): Adds bulk processing tools, scheduling features, and advanced analytics.
- Legend ($29.50/month): Includes A/B testing, competitor tracking, and retention analysis.
Its user-friendly Keyword Explorer and thumbnail generator make it a comprehensive package. To gain even more insight, you can learn more about how to get more views on YouTube by combining these tools effectively.
Our Take: TubeBuddy is perfect for solo creators and small teams who prioritize efficiency and ease of use. If you find VidIQ’s interface a bit cluttered, TubeBuddy’s clean, integrated design will be a breath of fresh air.
3. Morningfame
Morningfame takes a different, more strategic approach, making it a unique VidIQ alternative for creators focused on long-term channel growth rather than just immediate metrics. Instead of an overwhelming dashboard, it guides you through a step-by-step process, starting with what worked in your last video and helping you plan your next one. This workflow is designed to build a sustainable content strategy from the ground up.
What makes Morningfame stand out is its laser focus on the “why” behind your performance. Its keyword research tool helps you find topics your channel can actually rank for, moving beyond just high-volume terms. Access is currently invite-only, which maintains a close-knit community feel but can be a barrier for new users. For a more detailed look at how it compares to other tools, you can explore this VidIQ vs TubeBuddy analysis.
Key Features & Pricing
Morningfame is known for its simple, affordable pricing structure.
- Basic ($4.95/month): Provides access to the core keyword research and video optimization workflow.
- Plus ($12.90/month): Unlocks unlimited keyword research and competitor tracking features.
The platform’s simplified analytics are designed to be actionable, not just informational.
Our Take: Morningfame is ideal for creators who feel overwhelmed by data and want clear, actionable guidance. If you prefer a methodical, strategy-first approach to growing your channel, its focused toolset will be incredibly valuable.
4. Tubics
Tubics positions itself as a serious VidIQ alternative for creators and agencies who are deeply focused on the data-driven side of YouTube SEO. It moves beyond a simple browser extension into a more comprehensive web-based platform, offering in-depth analytics and strategic content planning tools. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals managing brand channels or those who treat YouTube as a primary business driver.
What sets Tubics apart is its powerful video audit feature, which provides a granular breakdown of your content’s SEO health and offers actionable recommendations. It also excels at competitor analysis and keyword rank tracking, giving you a clear picture of your channel’s performance against others in your niche. Its approach is less about in-the-moment tweaks and more about building a long-term, sustainable growth strategy based on solid SEO principles.
Key Features & Pricing
Tubics is a premium tool with pricing geared towards serious creators and businesses.
- Creator ($19/month): Provides access to keyword research, topic suggestions, and performance tracking.
- Agency ($49/month): Unlocks unlimited topic research, competitor analysis, and channel monitoring features.
- Enterprise (Custom Pricing): Tailored solutions for large-scale operations requiring extensive support and data.
The platform’s strength lies in transforming raw data into a clear content roadmap, helping you create videos that are engineered to rank from the start.
Our Take: Tubics is the ideal choice for marketing agencies, brand managers, and data-savvy creators who need robust SEO and competitor intelligence. If you find standard tools too basic and want a platform that guides your entire content strategy, Tubics delivers.
5. Social Blade
Social Blade is less of a direct optimization suite and more of a high-level analytics platform, making it a unique VidIQ alternative for competitive analysis. Instead of focusing on your video’s SEO, it gives you a bird’s-eye view of channel growth, subscriber trends, and estimated earnings for any public YouTube channel. This is incredibly useful for benchmarking your progress against competitors or identifying up-and-coming channels in your niche.
Its strength lies in providing historical data and future projections. You can see a channel’s day-by-day subscriber and view gains, which helps you understand the long-term impact of their content strategy. While it doesn’t offer keyword or tag suggestions, it provides the “why” behind another channel’s success, allowing you to adapt your own strategy.
Key Features & Pricing
Social Blade’s core features are free, but premium tiers offer more detailed data and an ad-free experience.
- Bronze ($3.99/month): Removes ads and provides basic premium features.
- Silver ($9.99/month): Adds top 250 lists and more detailed channel reports.
- Gold ($39.99/month): Includes consulting reports and deeper analytics.
- Platinum ($99.99/month): Unlocks the full suite of data tools and premium support.
The platform is an excellent tool for understanding the broader landscape of your niche. By combining its insights with strong YouTube video analytics, you can make more informed strategic decisions.
Our Take: Social Blade is perfect for creators focused on competitive research and tracking long-term growth trends. It won’t help you optimize a single video, but it will give you the strategic context you need to build a successful channel.
6. TuBeast
TuBeast presents itself as a sleek, modern, and powerful VidIQ alternative for creators who are serious about data-driven growth. It’s an all-in-one platform that focuses on providing advanced analytics and sophisticated SEO tools to give you a competitive edge. The platform is designed for users who want to dive deep into channel performance metrics and competitor strategies without a cluttered interface.
What makes TuBeast stand out is its emphasis on real-time analytics and customizable reporting. While other tools offer analytics, TuBeast’s dashboard feels more like a command center, providing instant feedback on your channel’s health. Its automated keyword and tag suggestions are highly intuitive, helping streamline the optimization process from the moment you start planning a video. This focus on deep, actionable data is its core strength.
Key Features & Pricing
TuBeast’s value is in its comprehensive, premium feature set. Pricing information is available directly through their website upon inquiry.
- Advanced SEO Tools: Go beyond basic keyword research with in-depth SEO analysis.
- Real-time Analytics: Monitor your channel’s performance with an up-to-the-minute dashboard.
- Automated Suggestions: Get AI-powered keyword and tag recommendations to improve discoverability.
- Competitor Tracking: Analyze what’s working for other channels in your niche.
Our Take: TuBeast is best suited for data-savvy creators, agencies, and marketing teams who need robust analytics and competitor insights. While its premium nature and potential learning curve might be a hurdle for beginners, those who master it will unlock a powerful tool for strategic channel growth.
7. Vudini
Vudini positions itself as a more business-centric VidIQ alternative, leveraging powerful AI for video SEO and e-commerce integration. It’s designed for marketers and businesses aiming to turn their video content into a profitable customer acquisition funnel, extending beyond YouTube to Google and other social platforms. If your goal is not just views but direct revenue and lead generation, Vudini offers a suite of specialized tools.
What makes Vudini unique is its strong emphasis on local SEO and e-commerce. The platform’s AI-driven geo-targeting helps businesses capture local search traffic, a feature often overlooked by more generalized YouTube tools. Its AI also generates highly optimized titles and descriptions, saving time while targeting precise, high-intent keywords that drive conversions. This makes it a formidable tool for businesses looking to dominate a specific niche or location.
Key Features & Pricing
Vudini is a premium service, and its pricing reflects its business-focused toolkit. You’ll need to contact their sales team for a custom quote based on your specific needs.
- AI-Driven Video SEO: Automatically optimizes your content for maximum visibility on YouTube and Google.
- Geo-Targeting: Focuses your SEO efforts on specific geographic locations to attract local customers.
- Content Optimization: Provides tools to refine every aspect of your video’s metadata for better ranking.
- AI Title & Description Generator: Creates compelling, keyword-rich copy to improve click-through rates.
Our Take: Vudini is the ideal choice for established businesses, marketing agencies, and e-commerce brands that view YouTube as a critical sales channel. While it may be overkill for individual creators, its advanced AI and local SEO capabilities provide a significant competitive advantage for those focused on ROI.
8. TubeRanker
TubeRanker positions itself as a streamlined and highly focused VidIQ alternative dedicated purely to YouTube SEO. Unlike broader platforms, it cuts through the noise by concentrating on the core elements that drive search visibility: tags, titles, and channel authority. Its web-based interface is clean and straightforward, making it an excellent starting point for creators who are new to SEO or feel overwhelmed by more complex toolsets.
What makes TubeRanker a solid choice is its simplicity and directness. The Tag Generator is particularly effective for brainstorming relevant keywords you might have missed, while the Channel Audit provides a quick, actionable report on your channel’s SEO health. This laser focus on foundational SEO makes it a practical tool for ensuring your videos have the best possible chance to be discovered through search. It’s an ideal companion for tools that handle other aspects of optimization, like the visual analysis offered by Thumb Scout.
Key Features & Pricing
TubeRanker offers several tools for free with limitations, with a single paid plan to unlock full access.
- Free Plan: Access to the Tag Generator, Title Generator, and Rank Tracker with daily usage limits.
- Premium ($9.99/month): Unlocks unlimited usage, Channel Audit features, and more in-depth keyword data.
The platform’s strength lies in making essential SEO tools accessible without a hefty price tag or a steep learning curve.
Our Take: TubeRanker is perfect for creators on a budget or those just beginning their YouTube SEO journey. If you need a no-frills, effective tool specifically for generating tags and tracking your video rankings, TubeRanker is a fantastic and affordable option.
9. Ahrefs
While not a direct YouTube tool, Ahrefs is a powerhouse SEO suite that serves as an unconventional yet potent VidIQ alternative for creators serious about off-platform discovery. It excels at uncovering how people search on Google, which is a massive traffic source for YouTube videos. By understanding search intent beyond YouTube’s ecosystem, you can optimize your titles and descriptions to rank in both search engines, dramatically expanding your reach.
What makes Ahrefs stand out is its Keywords Explorer, which can be filtered to specifically show data for YouTube. This gives you highly accurate search volume, keyword difficulty, and click data that many native YouTube tools lack. Using this insight helps you find untapped video topics with high demand and low competition, forming a data-driven content strategy that complements your on-platform efforts.
Key Features & Pricing
Ahrefs is a premium tool with pricing that reflects its comprehensive, professional-grade feature set.
- Lite ($99/month): Provides access to key features like Site Explorer, Keywords Explorer, and Rank Tracker for smaller projects.
- Standard ($199/month): Unlocks more data, historical trends, and content-focused tools like Content Explorer.
- Advanced ($399/month): Designed for agencies and large teams needing extensive data and API access.
Our Take: Ahrefs is for the advanced creator or marketing team looking to build a holistic digital presence. If your strategy involves driving traffic from Google to your YouTube channel or an associated blog, the investment is unparalleled. It’s overkill for YouTube-only optimization but a strategic asset for broader growth.
10. Keyword Tool Dominator
If your primary focus is digging deep into what viewers are actively searching for, Keyword Tool Dominator is a powerful, specialized VidIQ alternative. Instead of offering a broad suite of channel management tools, it zeroes in on one thing and does it exceptionally well: unearthing long-tail keywords. It pulls search predictions from platforms like Google, YouTube, Amazon, and eBay, giving you direct insight into user intent.
What makes Keyword Tool Dominator stand out is its simplicity and platform-specific focus. You can specifically query YouTube’s autosuggest database to find hundreds of video ideas based on what real people are typing into the search bar. This direct line to audience curiosity helps you create content that meets an existing demand, rather than guessing what might perform well. It’s a foundational tool for a data-driven content strategy.
Key Features & Pricing
The tool offers free searches with limitations, but the one-time payment unlocks its full potential.
- Free Version: Allows up to 3 keyword searches per day for each platform.
- Keyword Tool Suite ($59 one-time payment): Provides unlimited daily searches, unlimited keyword suggestions, and lifetime access to all its platform-specific tools (YouTube, Google, Amazon, etc.).
This one-time fee makes it one of the most affordable and straightforward keyword research options available.
Our Take: Keyword Tool Dominator is the perfect choice for creators who want to master the discovery phase of content creation. It’s not a full-suite replacement for VidIQ, but it excels at providing the keyword data you need to build a successful video from the ground up.
11. Rapidtags
For creators who believe that tags are the secret sauce to discoverability, Rapidtags offers a hyper-focused solution. As a specialized VidIQ alternative, it cuts through the noise of comprehensive analytics suites to do one thing exceptionally well: generate highly relevant and effective video tags in seconds. Simply enter your video’s topic or main keyword, and Rapidtags instantly produces a list of optimized tags ready to be copied and pasted into your YouTube upload.
What makes Rapidtags so useful is its simplicity and speed. It eliminates the guesswork and manual research involved in finding the right tags to improve your video’s SEO. While it doesn’t offer the broad feature set of VidIQ, its dedication to tag optimization makes it an indispensable tool for creators who want to quickly enhance their video’s visibility in search results without a steep learning curve or monthly fee for its core function.
Key Features & Pricing
Rapidtags is primarily known for its free tag generator, but it offers a few other tools, some requiring an account.
- Tag Generator: The core free tool that instantly creates SEO-effective tags.
- Tag Analyzer: Provides insights into a video’s existing tags and performance.
- Ranker: Helps track your video’s search ranking for specific keywords.
- Paid Plans: Offers additional features and higher usage limits, though pricing is not publicly listed and requires contact.
The free tag generator is the main draw and provides immense value on its own.
Our Take: Rapidtags is the perfect supplementary tool for any creator. It’s an excellent, fast, and free solution for nailing your tag strategy. Use it to generate your base tags, then refine them with more advanced keyword research from a broader tool.
12. KeywordTool.io
While not a full YouTube management suite, KeywordTool.io serves as a powerful, specialized VidIQ alternative for one crucial task: in-depth keyword research. It excels at uncovering long-tail keywords by scraping autocomplete suggestions from YouTube’s search bar. This gives you direct insight into what real users are actively searching for, helping you find less competitive and highly specific topic ideas that other tools might miss.
What makes this tool particularly effective is its simplicity and focus. Instead of juggling dozens of features, you get a clean interface dedicated to generating hundreds of relevant keyword suggestions from a single seed term. For creators, this is a goldmine for brainstorming video titles and tags that align perfectly with audience search intent, forming a solid foundation for your video’s SEO strategy. Get the data behind winning thumbnails by trying the Thumb Scout free extension.
Key Features & Pricing
The free version is great for brainstorming, but the Pro plans provide the data needed for strategic decisions.
- Free Plan: Provides keyword suggestions without search volume, CPC, or competition data.
- Pro Basic ($69/month): Unlocks search volume data and allows for 7,000 keyword searches per day.
- Pro Plus ($79/month): Adds CPC and competition data, perfect for monetized channels.
- Pro Business ($159/month): Includes API access and supports multiple users.
Our Take: KeywordTool.io is ideal for creators in the research and planning stage of content creation. If your primary goal is to build a massive list of data-backed video ideas before you even hit record, this tool is an invaluable asset.
Top 12 VidIQ Alternatives Feature Comparison
| Product | Core Features / SEO Tools | User Experience & Quality ★ | Value & Price 💰 | Target Audience 👥 | Unique Selling Points ✨ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Thumb Scout | Real-time thumbnail scores, ThumbRank sorting | ★★★★☆ Intuitive, fast insights | Free 💰 | YouTube creators, marketers, growth hackers 👥 | Overlay scores on YouTube thumbnails, save top thumbs ✨ |
| TubeBuddy | Keyword research, A/B thumbnail testing, bulk tools | ★★★★☆ User-friendly interface | Freemium; some paid features 💰 | Creators wanting all-in-one channel tools 👥 | A/B testing, thumbnail generator |
| Morningfame | Keyword research, competitor analysis | ★★★☆☆ Simplified analytics | Affordable 💰 | Creators focused on long-term growth 👥 | Actionable content recommendations |
| Tubics | SEO audits, keyword tracking, competitor analysis | ★★★★☆ Professional-grade tools | Higher pricing 💰 | Agencies, professional creators 👥 | Google Search Console integration |
| Social Blade | Analytics, earnings estimates, competitor tracking | ★★★☆☆ Basic UX | Free (basic) 💰 | Multi-platform creators 👥 | Multi-platform support |
| TuBeast | Advanced SEO tools, real-time analytics | ★★★★☆ Modern interface | Higher pricing 💰 | Creators needing deep analytics 👥 | Automated keyword/tag suggestions |
| Vudini | AI-driven SEO, geo-targeting | ★★★★☆ AI-powered optimization | Higher pricing 💰 | Marketers, businesses 👥 | AI title/description generator, local SEO |
| TubeRanker | Tag generator, channel audits, rank tracking | ★★★☆☆ User-friendly | Affordable 💰 | Small-mid creators 👥 | Easy, comprehensive SEO tools |
| Ahrefs | Site auditing, keyword & content exploration | ★★★★☆ Reliable data, complex for beginners | Higher pricing 💰 | SEO professionals, serious creators 👥 | Broad SEO toolbox beyond YouTube |
| Keyword Tool Dominator | Keyword research, long-tail suggestions | ★★★☆☆ Simple | Affordable 💰 | Creators needing keyword focus 👥 | Platform-specific keyword tools |
| Rapidtags | Tag generator, tag analyzer | ★★★☆☆ Easy to use | Free/basic plan 💰 | Creators needing quick tags 👥 | Video remonetizer feature |
| KeywordTool.io | Long-tail keywords, competitive & PPC data | ★★★★☆ User-friendly | Freemium; premium priced 💰 | Keyword researchers and marketers 👥 | YouTube & multi-platform keyword research |
Choosing Your Growth Partner: Final Thoughts on the Best VidIQ Alternative
Navigating the landscape of YouTube growth tools can feel like trying to find a specific video in a sea of recommendations. We’ve journeyed through a comprehensive list of twelve powerful platforms, each offering a unique approach to channel optimization. From the all-in-one powerhouse of TubeBuddy to the niche-specific data of Social Blade, the right tool is out there, waiting to align with your specific workflow and goals. The key takeaway is that there isn’t a single “best” VidIQ alternative; there’s only the one that’s best for you.
Your choice hinges on your primary pain point. Are you a data-driven marketer who needs deep keyword analytics? A tool like Ahrefs or Keyword Tool Dominator might be your perfect match. Are you a solo creator focused on efficiency and daily workflow integration? Morningfame’s guided process or TubeBuddy’s A/B testing features could be the game-changer you need. The crucial first step is to honestly assess where you spend the most time and where you see the biggest opportunity for growth.
When selecting your ideal VidIQ alternative, consider these core factors:
- Your Primary Goal: Are you focused on keyword ranking, competitor analysis, thumbnail optimization, or all of the above? Pinpoint your main objective to narrow down the options. For instance, if your thumbnails are your biggest weak spot, a visually-focused tool like Thumb Scout is a no-brainer.
- Your Budget: Free tools like Rapidtags and the basic tiers of many paid platforms offer incredible value. Don’t feel pressured to invest heavily until you’ve identified a clear need that a premium feature solves.
- Your Workflow: Do you prefer a browser extension that lives inside YouTube, or a separate dashboard where you can plan your strategy? This seemingly small preference can have a huge impact on whether you consistently use the tool.
Ultimately, these tools are not magic wands. They are partners in your creative process, providing the data and insights needed to make informed decisions. The most effective strategy is to combine the power of a great VidIQ alternative with your own creative intuition. Use these platforms to understand the “what” and the “why” behind successful content, then infuse that knowledge with your unique voice and style. Start small, implement one or two new insights from your chosen tool on your next video, and watch how your audience responds.
Common Questions I Hear About VidIQ Alternatives
1. Is TubeBuddy or VidIQ better for a brand new channel?
Honestly, both are great, but TubeBuddy often feels a bit more user-friendly for absolute beginners. Its interface is integrated cleanly into the YouTube dashboard, which can be less overwhelming. Start with their free version to get a feel for it.
2. Can a free VidIQ alternative actually help me grow?
Absolutely. Tools like the free versions of TubeBuddy, Social Blade, and especially Thumb Scout provide incredible value. Thumb Scout, for example, is completely free and focuses on improving your click-through rate by analyzing thumbnail performance, which is one of the most critical factors for growth.
3. Do I need a tool for keyword research if I already know my niche?
Yes! Even if you know your niche, a keyword tool uncovers the specific phrases your audience is searching for. This helps you title your videos to match their search intent, which is crucial for discoverability in YouTube search.
4. How long does it take to see results from using these tools?
It varies. For a tool that helps with thumbnails like Thumb Scout, you might see a CTR boost on your very next video. For SEO-focused tools that help with long-term ranking, it could take several weeks to a few months to see a significant impact on your search traffic. Consistency is key.
5. Are these tools safe to connect to my YouTube channel?
Yes, all the major tools listed (like TubeBuddy, Morningfame, etc.) use YouTube’s official API for access. This means they have a secure, approved connection that doesn’t expose your password or private data. Always check that a tool is YouTube Certified before granting access.