fide online arena titles verification

Here are several compelling reasons why Chess.com should consider displaying FIDE Online Arena (FOA) titles, such as Arena Candidate Master (ACM), Arena FIDE Master (AFM), and others:

 
1. Official FIDE Recognition
FOA titles are sanctioned and issued by FIDE, the same organization that governs over-the-board (OTB) titles like GM and IM.
Ignoring these titles creates inconsistency in acknowledging FIDE's authority and undermines its efforts to adapt to the digital era.
 
2. Encourages Broader Participation
Many players—especially youth, amateurs, and those in remote areas—may never have access to OTB tournaments, but can still pursue FOA titles online.
Displaying these titles on Chess.com would validate their efforts and motivate more users to engage competitively.
 
3. Supports the Future of Online Chess
Online platforms like Chess.com and FOA represent the future of chess growth and accessibility.
Recognizing FOA titles aligns with the digital-first direction of the game and promotes inclusivity in competitive recognition.
 
4. Incentivizes Skill Development
Achieving FOA titles requires demonstrated skill, consistency, and dedication, just like OTB titles.
Displaying them provides a visible reward and acknowledgment, encouraging more players to improve and reach milestones.
 
5. Enhances User Engagement and Retention
Adding support for FOA titles would enhance profile personalization, giving users more pride in their achievements.
This increases emotional investment in the platform, which can lead to higher user retention and loyalty.
 
6. FIDE and Chess.com Collaboration Potential
Acknowledging FOA titles could strengthen ties between FIDE and Chess.com, paving the way for joint initiatives, tournaments, or events.
It would show that Chess.com supports FIDE's full ecosystem, not just traditional formats.
 
7. Fairness and Recognition
FOA titles are not easy to achieve—they reflect real progress and accomplishment.
Recognizing only OTB titles while ignoring FOA ones creates an unfair hierarchy that devalues online achievements.

My guess is the site would be more likely to create its own titles before recognizing the Arena titles.