# What is merchant approval?

Merchant approval is Fidella's review of a new business. Until it completes, nothing the business publishes is visible to anybody, free or paid, and it cannot publish at all. Approval is a Fidella action; the merchant waits.

Source: https://fidella.app/glossary/merchant-approval
Last reviewed: 2026-08-30

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Approval is the first of two independent gates a merchant meets, and it is the
absolute one.

## What awaiting review means

Nothing is visible. Not the venue page, not free offers, not promotions. The
venue does not appear in search or in the directory.

## Who has to act

Fidella. There is nothing for the merchant to do except complete their setup, so
that when review happens there is something to review.