Public Security Filing vs. ICP Filing: Differences and Application Order

Many people mistakenly believe that “the filing is done” after completing only one type. ICP filing and Public Security filing are two independent systems handled by different authorities; completing one does not mean the other is finished.

This article focuses on the differences between the two and the correct application order. Specific timelines, materials, and procedures are subject to the latest requirements from the competent authorities and service providers.

Core Differences

Application Order

1. Apply for ICP Filing first (via your server ISP) — this is a prerequisite for website access
2. Launch the website
3. Apply for Public Security Filing after launch, noting the strict deadline

The order cannot be reversed: Public Security Filing requires the website to be accessible, and the prerequisite for accessibility is that the ICP Filing has been approved.

Consistency of Information

The most common bottleneck during review is mismatched information between the two filings:

• Website Name
• Domain Name
• Entity Name (Applicant)
• Entity Type (Individual / Organization)
• Contact Person Information and Phone Number

Verification Method: Compare the ICP filing information item-by-item with the Public Security filing entries. Pay special attention to the Website Name — it must match exactly what was used in the ICP filing; using a different name often leads to rejection.

Display Requirements for Filing Numbers

Both types of filings have display requirements, typically placed in the website footer:

<footer>
  <!-- ICP Filing Number, linked to the official query page -->
  <a href="https://beian.miit.gov.cn/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jing ICP Bei XXXXXXXX Hao</a>

  <!-- Public Security Filing Number and Link -->
  <a href="Public Security Filing Query Page" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">
    Jing Gong Wang An Bei XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Hao
  </a>
</footer>

Three common pitfalls:

• Text without links: The requirement is for clickable links that redirect to the query page.
• Lost during redesigns: Footer content is often overwritten when changing themes or templates, causing the filing numbers to disappear.
• Displayed only on the homepage: Usually, the numbers must be displayed across all pages, not just the homepage.

# Check if filing numbers remain after a redesign (sample several pages)
for u in / /about/ /product/; do
  echo "=== $u"
  curl -s "https://example.com$u" | grep -oE 'ICPBei[0-9]+Hao|GongWangAnBei[ ]?[0-9]+Hao'
done

Common Misconceptions

Decision Tree

Confirm Filing Status
├─ Can the website be accessed?
│  └─ No + Has filing-related prompts → ICP incomplete or not connected
├─ Does ICP Filing have a number?
│  ├─ No → Submit ICP Filing via ISP first
│  └─ Yes → Is the website live?
│     ├─ Yes → Check if Public Security Filing is complete (don't miss it)
│     └─ No → Apply for Public Security Filing promptly after launch
└─ Display Check
   ├─ Are both numbers in the footer?
   ├─ Are they clickable links?
   └─ Do they persist after redesigns? (Check multiple pages)

Scenario Analysis: Missing Footer Numbers After Redesign

Symptom: After a website redesign and launch, the original footer numbers and badges disappeared.
During the redesign process, no one touched this section, nor did anyone realize it was a mandatory element.

1. Identify the source file → Numbers are typically embedded in the theme’s footer template,
   not stored as article content. This determines the search direction: changing the theme replaces this file.
2. Compare old and new theme footers → The new theme likely lacks the corresponding output field.
3. Restore display and verify links → Don’t just put the text back; ensure the links point to valid addresses.
4. Verify both numbers are present → Some sites require displaying numbers from both systems.
   Restoring only one is incomplete.
5. Double-check information consistency → If entity names or access info changed,
   the displayed content must be updated accordingly.
6. Add this to the redesign checklist → Re-check every time the theme or footer is modified,
   rather than checking only once during initial setup.

# Search directly in the returned source code after redesign, don't rely on visual inspection
curl -s https://example.com/ | grep -oE 'relevant_number_keyword|display_keyword' | head

# Verify links are functional (many sites leave broken links unnoticed)
curl -sS -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}n' https://filing_link_address/

# Multi-device verification: Mobile templates often differ from PC versions
curl -s -A 'Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS)' https://example.com/ | grep -oE 'number_keyword' | head

Root Cause: Filing information is written into the theme’s footer template and gets replaced entirely when the theme changes.
It is a “set-and-forget” configuration that is easily overlooked during redesigns.

Two Key Takeaways:

• Missing filing numbers are a template issue, not a content issue.
  Therefore, verification should be tied to events like “changing themes / modifying footers,” not just scheduled checks.
• Checks must be performed on the actual returned source code across multiple devices.
  Mobile and PC versions often use different templates; checking only one side can lead to “works on desktop, missing on mobile” scenarios.

Item-by-Item Comparison of Both Systems

The most confusing aspect is the order: ICP Filing comes first, followed by Public Security Filing.
Signs of getting the order wrong include applying for Public Security Filing before ICP approval,
or launching the website for a long time with only ICP filing, assuming that is sufficient.

Post-Redesign Verification Checklist

1. Is the bottom filing number still there?: Changing themes/templates often overwrites the filing numbers along with the design.
2. Do links point to the correct addresses?: It’s not enough for the text to remain; the links must also function.
3. Are both filing numbers displayed?: Keeping only one and losing the other is a common oversight.
4. Is the information still consistent?: Updates are needed if entity names, domains, or access info change.

# Check if filing numbers remain in the source code after redesign
curl -s https://example.com/ | grep -o 'keyword_for_filing_number' | head

# Check if the bottom link is redirectable
curl -sS -o /dev/null -w '%{http_code}n' https://filing_link_address

Losing filing numbers after a redesign is not a content issue, but a template issue.
Filing numbers are usually written in the theme’s footer template; changing the theme replaces this file.
Therefore, verification should be performed after every theme change or footer modification, not just once after initial filing.

8 Common Pitfalls

1. Completing ICP but forgetting Public Security Filing: Two independent systems, neither includes the other.
2. Inconsistent information between filings: Especially the website name, a frequent cause for rejection.
3. Delaying Public Security Filing after launch: There are strict deadlines.
4. Filing numbers without links: Links are required for redirection.
5. Filing numbers lost after redesign: Add this check to your redesign checklist.
6. Displaying only on the homepage: Usually required across all pages.
7. Assuming filing follows automatically when changing providers: Access filing is usually required.
8. Confusing domain real-name registration with filing: They apply to different objects.

Real Customer Feedback (From Cloud Market Reviews and Inquiries for Similar Products)

The following excerpts are taken from real buyer reviews and inquiries for similar operations services on Alibaba Cloud / Tencent Cloud / Huawei Cloud Cloud Markets (service providers include our store and competitors, provided for reference only, not fictional tickets from our site):

10***47 2025-11-14 5.0 On-time Delivery | Secure & Reliable | Comprehensive Features (User did not fill in comment content) 10***44 2022-09-16 5.0 Comprehensive Features | Affordable Price | Skilled Technician Filing rectification, very useful 10***44 2022-09-16 5.0 Skilled Technician | Timely Response | Affordable Price Filing rectification, a great service 10***67 2022-08-01 5.0 Patient & Professional | Affordable Price | On-time Delivery Useful and inexpensive 10***54 2022-07-15 5.0 Comprehensive Features | Affordable Price | Secure & Reliable Useful

10***07 2024-08-16 5.0 Comprehensive Features | Affordable Price | Skilled Technician Essential for filing rectification 10***67 2024-08-15 5.0 Perfect After-sales | Timely Response | Patient & Professional Expert in handling filing issues 10***02 2023-06-09 5.0 Comprehensive Features | Affordable Price | Skilled Technician Helped me, resolved it promptly.

10***18 2024-08-07 5.0 Secure & Reliable | Comprehensive Features | Affordable Price Professional 10***33 2024-07-31 5.0 Affordable Price | Perfect After-sales | Timely Response Useful 10***72 2024-07-11 5.0 On-time Delivery | Affordable Price | Skilled Technician A merchant specializing in professional filing issue resolution, highly recommended