The blue badge next to a Twitter user’s name means an account is a verified and authentic user of the platform. Social media has become a weapon for disinformation and this Twitter feature does seem to help clamp on the spread of misguided information on the platform. The blue badge separates trolls, bots, and fake accounts from legitimate ones. Moreover, there is so much positive to dig from an account verified by Twitter. This ultimately begs the question: how to get verified on Twitter?
What does it take to get a blue badge? Do you need to have a number of followers? Does one need an endorsement from a celebrity, politician, or influencer? Do you need to have a specific niche for your account to warrant a blue badge?
These are questions often asked if anyone wants to get a blue check on Twitter. In this article, we will outline some of the guidelines of the Twitter verification process and ultimately how to get a blue check plastered next to your name.
Related: How To Use Twitter App: A Starter’s Guide
Inside This Article
Do You Need Twitter Verification?
Similar to a verified TikTok account, there seems to be a sense of authenticity and credibility when Twitter warrants an account a blue check. Moreover, it is no brainer that any user of Twitter can get verified following a stringent application process. At the end of the day, whether you are a celebrity, politician, influencer, or average joe, the only thing that sets the difference is the spotlight.
However, every user who wishes to get a blue check from Twitter needs to remember an old adage that continues to resonate even to this day —With great power comes great responsibility. It goes without saying that the blue check on Twitter is more than bragging rights; Twitter expects verified users to use the platform responsibly. That means to say these users have to use their accounts to contribute positively to the conversation.
Moreover, Twitter requires the account to have the following elements to pass its stringent verification process.
- Authentic – Twitter’s goal is to ensure users maintain trust between users on the platform. Part of the verification process is authentication where Twitter requests a link to the official website referencing the applicant, a valid official government-issued identification document, or an official email address.
- Notable – An account must be affiliated with a prominent figure or brand. Twitter uses a matrix to verify signals in this regard to further verify the account’s controller authenticity.
- Active – An account must adhere to the community rules of Twitter and should maintain activity that is not suspicious on a regular basis.
With these said, you might ask: how to get verified on Twitter?
Who Can Apply for Twitter Verification
Twitter is strict when it comes to verifying an account. Right off the bat, Twitter might come off lenient in verifying accounts related to the following categories:
- Government
- Companies, brands, and organizations
- News organizations and journalists
- Entertainment
- Sports and gaming
- Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals
Any account falling outside of these categories is less likely to get a blue check on Twitter. These accounts are, generally, categorized as bots, trolls, or fake accounts. In detail, Twitter would reject verification of accounts falling under these categories:
- Parody, newsfeed, commentary, and unofficial fan accounts
- Pets and fictional characters
- Accounts with suspicious intents and activities (e.g. violence, spamming, and scamming)
- Accounts engaging in abuse, hateful content, and other harmful activities
- Users who routinely post content that harasses, shames, or insults any individual or group
How to Apply for a Blue Badge on Twitter
If you think you meet the criteria Twitter has set out for verification, then you can proceed in applying for a blue badge. Request for verification can be done both on the Twitter app or web version. Here’s a step-by-step guide to request for one on the mobile app:
- Open Twitter then swipe right to open Options.
- Tap on Settings and Privacy then select Your Account.
- Next, tap on Account Information then select Verification Request.
Twitter will then display an information page essentially highlighting what “verified” on Twitter means, who can request verification and an outline of the process. Scroll down and tap Apply Now. When you reach the Verification Request page, tap Start Request to begin part two of the process.
- Twitter will prompt you to select a category that is specific to your account. Tap Next after.
- The next page will prompt you to select an account type associated with your Twitter handle. Tap Next after.
- Twitter will prompt you to confirm whether your profile meets the verification requirements. Select Yes, It’s Complete to proceed.
- Choose a notability method then follow the screen instructions.
- Depending on the method you chose, Twitter will prompt more details to verify the authenticity of your profile.
- Once enough proof has been collected, Twitter will prompt you to upload your ID, your email address, or link to your official website.
- Once you are satisfied with the information and proof you have provided, tap Submit.
Then comes the waiting period. It will take approximately 30 business days before Twitter gets back to you with either a confirmation email welcoming you to their roster of verified accounts, a rejection email, or an email requesting more information.
Click Here for the Full Twitter Verification Criteria
How to Get Verified Easily on Twitter
When trying to get verified on any platform, we often get asked if there are hacks that anyone can do to make it easier or be able to trick a platform into verifying anyone. While there are ways that a user can observe to seemingly trick a platform to do so, the same is not true for Twitter. Twitter’s verification process and guidelines are quite strict. However, there are ways that a user can possibly win Twitter’s favor — consider it like gaining credit that a user can use when trying to apply for a blue badge.
If you are trying to apply for a verified blue badge, these are things you can start observing:
- Do not engage in any activities that go against Twitter rules. This is is perhaps the easiest way that could help anyone get verified. Twitter wants its space to be used responsibly and if you try to stay in its good graces, you might just see that blue check next to your name.
- Try to select a specific niche for your profile. More than being a social media, Twitter is also a place where people often get information. And what better way to deliver than by ensuring its algorithm is able to differentiate users based on categories. It would be easy for Twitter to verify an account if the profile page is catering to supply information over a specific niche. Thereby adding value to the conversation.
- Do not change your Twitter handle. Your Twitter persona is easily recognized by your Twitter handle. People can easily tag you when they know your username/handle and include you in the conversation. Changing your handle every now and then may appear dodgy and sketchy behavior on the platform. Thus, you reduce your chances of being verified.
- Just be yourself. Of course, Twitter wants to know that the account holder is not a bot and not trolling. Every once in a while, engage with your follower/audience in a manner acceptable and within the community rules of Twitter.
Can Twitter Revoke a Verified Status?
Twitter is a platform for social relevance. This means that it is a space where people get to engage in socially-relevant conversations. However, this has also given rise to people abusing the platform by spreading misinformation, fake news, abusive rhetorics, scams, and other activities deemed inappropriate.
Twitter has a set of guidelines for suspending or deleting someone’s Twitter account should a user engage in unforgivable behavior on the platform. Moreover, Twitter also has a set of rules that, when violated, could result in someone’s verified status getting revoked.
“In accordance with the Twitter Terms of Service, Twitter may remove the Verified status of an account at any time without notice,” Twitter stated on its Help Center page. Furthermore, Twitter has outlined the following reasons which could result in getting a Verified status revoked.
- Changing username (@handle)
- The account becomes inactive or incomplete
- If you are no longer in the position you initially were Verified for – such as an elected government official who leaves office – and you do not otherwise meet our criteria for Verification.
- Account information is misleading or substantially alters the persona present on your account.
- If changes to the account result in failure to meet the eligibility requirements for Verification outlined above.
- Changes in the account results in niche falling under categories in the “Ineligible Accounts” section.
It would be best to use the platform responsibly.
Get Your Twitter Account Verified
It is also worth noting that Twitter does not solicit payments to get an account verified. Getting your Twitter account verified does not cost a penny. If you see accounts on Twitter claiming they can assist you to get that blue check to your name for a price, have the account reported so Twitter can continue making a safe space for everyone.
Moreover, getting your account verified does have its perks. Verification could mean a boost in your social media presence (i.e. more followers) and it makes you a credible person who could influence others to do better. Hence, if you get lucky to have your account verified, use it appropriately.
