# What is a verification flow?

> A verification flow is the end-to-end process that confirms a user controls a phone number or identity — requesting a factor, delivering it over one or more channels, collecting the user's response, and confirming or rejecting it. Modern flows are multi-channel and risk-aware: they cascade methods (network authentication, SMS, voice) so a single failed channel never blocks a legitimate user.

- Canonical URL: https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-a-verification-flow
- Language: en
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-22
- Publisher: BroadNet (https://www.broadnet.me)

## The stages

Request (the app asks to verify a number), deliver (a code or network check goes out), respond (the user enters the code or the network confirms possession), and resolve (the flow confirms or fails). Each stage should be logged for security without storing the secret. See /answers/how-to-build-otp-flow.

## Make it multi-channel

Cascade methods so reach and cost are balanced: silent network authentication where supported, SMS OTP for universal reach, voice as a fallback. See /answers/best-channel-for-otp and /answers/what-is-silent-network-auth.

## Make it risk-aware

Step up verification for risky actions or unusual destinations, and rate-limit to resist abuse — a good flow adapts its friction to the risk. See /answers/what-is-rate-limiting-sms.

## Measure it

Track delivery, conversion, and time-to-verify per channel and country, so you can tune the cascade for the markets you actually serve. See /answers/how-to-improve-sms-delivery-rates.

## Related

- [All answers](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [Glossary](https://www.broadnet.me/answers)
- [How do I build an OTP verification flow?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/how-to-build-otp-flow)
- [What is OTP?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/what-is-otp)
- [What is the best channel for OTP delivery?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/best-channel-for-otp)
- [How does number verification (OTP and 2FA) work?](https://www.broadnet.me/answers/number-verification)
- [OTP service](https://www.broadnet.me/products/otp)
- [Number verification](https://www.broadnet.me/products/otp)