Want to get verified on Twitter (now X)? That little blue checkmark next to an X/Twitter handle has long been held in high esteem and can add extra authority and prominence to your account.
Landing that coveted blue badge was once an arduous process requiring notability and public interest confirmation. Now, through its new X Blue subscription, X/Twitter offers users a faster path to getting verified for a monthly fee of $8 on the web or $11 on mobile. But is the instant verification worth the price? Should you pay for X Blue?
We will explain everything you need to know about the revamped paid verification model (X Blue) compared to the traditional free route. You’ll learn about the changes in eligibility requirements, badge appearance, approval times, costs, and the benefits of being verified under both programmes.
Follow our latest guide to maximise your chances of getting verified on Twitter (now X)! We’ll help you decide if the monthly fee aligns with your goals and budget. Unlock the power of the blue badge, a top symbol of social credibility and influence on X/Twitter!
If you believe your account deserves the coveted blue badge, there’s good news: the verification process, while not easy, is at least crystal clear.
The Benefits of Getting Verified on Twitter/X
Getting verified on Twitter, now X, can be beneficial as it boosts your personal branding. The verified badge also comes with several perks, including increased accountability and stability, access to more specialised X/Twitter analytics, greater trust from the community, enhanced security features, protection against identity theft, opportunities for networking with others, and the potential to attract new followers.
Identifier of Value Determined by an Authority
This perk of verification is interesting because it works as long as people consider X/Twitter to be a trusted platform for information. In the past, verification was solely at X/Twitter’s discretion, meaning verified users were identified and chosen directly by the platform. You couldn’t request it or really do anything to attract it besides growing as a person or a brand to the point where people notice you, and then to the point where X/Twitter notices you. This meant that verified users were all verified through direct notice and intervention on the part of X/Twitter themselves. Now, anyone can apply, although X/Twitter still holds the ultimate decision-making power.
Adds Accountability and Stability
Two words: Fake accounts. The social media is swarming with fake accounts of people pretending to be celebrities, public figures, or even key members of organisations. Some of these accounts would use hate speech or offensive words to trigger other people and, sometimes, other people believe these accounts are authentic (yes, social media is full of these kinds of people.)
So, in order to distinguish these fake accounts from the real ones, having the blue checkmark is a necessity for yourself and your business, a signal of high authority and authenticity. After all, 85% of customers buy products and patronise services from brands they trust.
A Sign of Trust amongst the X/Twitter Community
While some sceptical users may decry the value of verification, it’s still a valuable source of authority for the average user. Most people don’t need to understand the intricacies of X/Twitter marketing; they simply know that a blue checkmark signifies something rare and desirable, similar to how most people recognise a Medal of Honour as a high military accolade without knowing anything more specific about it than that.
You don’t need to know the ins and outs of X/Twitter marketing or the details of earning verification in order to understand that having it bestowed upon you by X/Twitter themselves means you have passed some kind of test of worth. X/Twitter is a great place to build thought leadership, and a blue verification checkmark generally correlates to easily build more followers.
Prevents X/Twitter Identity Theft
Impersonation on X/Twitter can range from a benign parody account to a malicious phishing attempt, and the latter is the worst for businesses to deal with. When someone sets up a profile with your information copied from your profile, there’s very little way for users to determine which is the real account. They can look at the recent tweets, the account creation date, and the interaction history, but that only goes so far.
Helps You Network with Influencers
Influencer marketing is the next big thing on the web right now, and it means people with authority are in high demand. Those people know it, though, and tend to be selective with who they engage with on a deep basis. Superficial responses are par for the course, but if you want them to recognise you or open up deeper options for a relationship in business, you need to stand out from the crowd.
One such way to stand out is to be verified yourself. When an influencer sees an incoming message, they’re likely to look for reasons to ignore it. If it’s from someone verified, they will give it more attention than they otherwise might.
What Is Account Verification on Twitter?
Getting verified on Twitter, formerly known as getting a blue checkmark, means that Twitter has confirmed the authenticity of your account. This signifies that you are the real person or brand you claim to be. A verification badge, awarded solely by platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter, appears next to the account name.
Typically, verified X/Twitter accounts belong to public figures in music, acting, fashion, politics, journalism, and other areas of public interest. Essentially, you need a level of public recognition to get verified on Twitter (now X), often through media coverage establishing you as an expert or prominent figure in your field.
Building Public Recognition: The Wikipedia Test
Think of it like this: a Wikipedia page often signifies a public figure. To qualify for one while living, you typically need around 10 articles mentioning you from established publications.
These mentions shouldn’t be one-line quotes or local news appearances, even from prestigious outlets like The Guardian. Interviews, where your answers are being documented word for word, or popular podcasts or TV shows, although valuable, don’t necessarily translate to a Wikipedia page.
When It First Happened
The Centres for Disease Control (CDC) was among the first accounts to get verified on Twitter (now X) several years ago. The platform said this account was verified “to help citizens find authentic and accurate public health information straight from the source.” Oprah and Kim Kardashian were among the first celebrities to get the blue checkmark, alongside the Milwaukee Police.
Legacy Verification Policy: How to Get Verified on Twitter
In the past, Twitter, now X, opened up the verification process, allowing anyone to apply. While it didn’t guarantee success, the steps were more straightforward. If you wanted to get verified on Twitter, there were some basic things to understand first:
Eligibility Requirements
The coveted blue badge on Twitter signifies an account’s authenticity and public interest. Your account must be authentic, notable, and active to join the verified ranks.
Authenticity: Building Trust on X/Twitter
To foster trust within the platform, Twitter required identity verification. Depending on your account type (individual or organisation), you would choose one of these methods:
Official Website: Provide a link to a verified organisational website referencing you or your Twitter account. For individuals, the website owner must be verified on Twitter.
ID Verification (Individuals Only): Submit a photo of a valid government ID (driver’s licence or passport) to confirm account ownership.
Official Email Address: Provide an official email address with a domain relevant to your chosen notability category. For individuals, the organisation associated with the domain must be verified on Twitter.
Notability: Standing Out in the Crowd
Your account must have represented a well-recognised individual or brand, aligning with Twitter’s notability criteria. Beyond confirming account ownership, Twitter verified accounts in various categories based on specific requirements. They might also independently have verified your qualifications through partnerships or direct outreach. Here’s how you could demonstrate notability depending on the category:
News Coverage: Links to news articles (from verified publications, not blogs or self-published content) mentioning you or your organisation multiple times. Some categories might require articles referencing your Twitter handle.
Google Trends: Links to a Google Trends profile showcasing search history relevant to your application category.
Wikipedia: Links to a stable Wikipedia article about you or your organisation meeting Twitter’s notability standards.
Industry-Specific References: Depending on the category, you might have needed additional references like IMDB pages for entertainment figures.
Follower/Mention Count (for Some Categories): If your account ranks within the top 0.05% for followers or mentions in your region, it might contribute to notability evidence.
Activity: Keeping Up on X/Twitter
Your account must have been active and demonstrate adherence to Twitter’s rules. This means:
Completeness: Your profile must have a display name and a profile picture.
Security: Your account must have a verified email address or phone number. Twitter won’t deem you eligible for verification if you don’t have this information in place.
Active Use: Your public account must have logged in within the past six months.
Rule Compliance: Your account must not have violated Twitter’s rules within the past year, resulting in a 12-hour or 7-day lockout (excluding successful appeals).
Applying for Verification
Step 1: Access Account Settings: Begin by tapping the “more” icon (usually three dots) in the main X/Twitter menu.
Step 2: Navigate to Verification Request: Select “Settings and Support” followed by “Settings and Privacy.” Then, choose “Your account” and “Account information” (entering your password if prompted). Finally, under “Verified,” tap “Request Verification” and “Start request.”
Showing Twitter Your Credibility
This was a crucial step in the verification process. Twitter’s system allowed you to submit up to five URLs to verify your online presence. These could be links to your website, where you were listed as staff, or articles mentioning you.
As mentioned earlier, positioning yourself as someone of importance was key. Twitter wouldn’t verify you solely for social media activity. Here’s where you should have built your case and been selective about what links you share.
Building Your Case
In addition to the five links, you had 500 characters to explain why you deserve verification. Briefly state your reason for applying and why Twitter should accept your request. Avoid including additional links here, as you won’t be able to click next.
Verification with Photo ID
The last section at the end of this page would include adding a photo ID. Some people would submit their driver’s license or their passport so they could see through a government-issued ID that the same person requesting verification is the same person who has a Twitter account.
Confirming Your Information
Once you complete this form, you will be directed to another confirmation page. Verify that the information is correct and supports the list of reasons you provided for why you should be verified.
The Waiting Game
Due to the high application volume, the review process could take weeks or even months. Not receiving initial communication indicated your application was pending.
Verification Confirmation
If approved, you will receive a confirmation email and a notification from the official @verified account following you. Conversely, a rejection email would explain the reason behind the decision.
There are a couple of things you have to consider:
In the bio of your Twitter account, ensure you have the URL link to the website.
Another note was that this approval process could take weeks, if not months. It all depended on how backed up Twitter’s verification system is.
Hearing nothing back meant that your application was still pending. You would know you were verified when the @verified account followed you on Twitter. If your request were rejected, you would receive an email from Twitter’s support team explaining why.
Paid vs Free Verification on Twitter
Below is a well-structured comparison between paid and free verification on Twitter.
Paid Verification (Twitter Blue)
Cost: $8/month (web)or $11/month (iOS)
Availability: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK
Requirements: Primarily, a valid government ID and phone number
Badge: Different colour and appearance than legacy badge
Benefits: Subscriber-only features (edit tweet, 1080p video uploads)
Drawback: Can be revoked at any time for violating X/Twitter rules
Free Verification
Process: Detailed application form explaining notability
Eligibility: Reserved only for government entities, companies, brands, and influential individuals.
Verification: Requires public interest confirmation from references
Time: Lengthy review process with low acceptance rate
Badge: Standard blue checkmark (may change in the future)
Benefits: Harder to lose verified status (but still possible)
Drawback: No access to subscriber-only features
X’s Legacy Free Verification vs Past Policy
Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) ushered in a dramatic overhaul of the platform’s verification system. While previously accessible to a broader spectrum of public figures, the free verification badge is now strictly reserved for specific categories as of November 2022:
Government entities, including official political candidates and elected politicians.
Major corporations and business partners directly affiliated with X/Twitter.
Highly public-facing or influential celebrities.
Global brands/organisations possessing significant public influence.
Registered non-profit charities and advocacy organisations.
Credible news organisations and independent journalists.
This stark shift in policy means that most individual experts, influencers, and creatives, once potentially eligible, no longer qualify for free verification.
Differences From Past Verification Policy
Before Musk’s takeover, Twitter previously offered verified badges to accounts deemed “authentic, notable, and active” across various fields, including entertainment, journalism, government, sports, activism, and rising stars with significant reach or impact.
However, after Musk’s takeover, the new criteria imposes far stricter limitations, effectively excluding a substantial portion of previously verified accounts, including those that belong to prominent individuals, niche influencers, academics, and subject experts.
Echoes of Change in Recent Tweets
Elon Musk has been vocal about the changes, reinforcing the exclusivity of free verification and the platform’s direction towards a paid model. Key tweets include:
13 November 2022
“Legacy Blue checkmarks will be removed soon unless confirmed by X/Twitter to be an active, prominent, and legitimate account.”
Elon Musk
2 November 2022
“Power to the people! Blue for $8/month”
Elon Musk
15 November 2022
“A new way to get verified! Twitter Blue rolls out in India”
Official X Account
9 November 2022
“We are not currently processing unpaid verification requests. Members of the confirmation flow will receive messaging updates as our work continues.”
X Support Account
These tweets underscore the platform’s transition towards a paid verification model and the gradual phase-out of legacy free verification.
New Requirements for Getting Verified on X
X, previously Twitter, has implemented a significant change to its verification process since 1 April 2023.
The Blue Checkmark
As of 1 April 2023, the blue checkmark is exclusively reserved for accounts with an active X Premium subscription that meets the specific platform eligibility requirements. The previous verification system based on activity, notability, and authenticity has been discontinued. Consequently, accounts previously verified under the old system will lose the blue checkmark unless they subscribe to X Premium.
Eligibility Requirements
To receive or retain the blue checkmark, your account must:
Maintain an active X Premium subscription.
Have a complete profile with a display name and profile photo.
Demonstrate recent platform activity within the past 30 days.
Have a confirmed phone number linked to the account.
Adhere to platform guidelines, avoiding deceptive practices, spam, or manipulation.
X’s review team evaluates Premium-subscribed accounts against these criteria to determine checkmark eligibility.
X’s Verification Badges
X employs a system of visual indicators, including checkmarks and labels, to provide users with more information about accounts on the platform. These indicators serve to differentiate between various account types and enhance transparency. Let’s break down the different types:
1. Blue Checkmark
The most recognisable, the blue checkmark is granted to accounts with an active X Premium subscription. It replaces the previous verification system based on notability and authenticity.
2. Gold Checkmark and Square Profile Picture
This checkmark is reserved for official organisations verified through X’s Verified Organisations programme. It verifies the authenticity of the accounts and signifies that they represents established entities. These accounts also have square profile pictures to further distingusih them from the individual employees or representatives.
3. Grey Checkmark
This grey checkmark is exclusively for government agencies and officials at national and local levels. Eligibility criteria include specific government roles and positions.
4. Affiliation Badges
The affiliation badges link individual accounts to verified organisations, providing additional context about the account holder’s affiliation. To ensure accuracy and credibility, the affiliation should also be verified by X.
5. Automated Account Labels
X is also experimenting with automated labels for accounts that generate content primarily through artificial intelligence. This label indicates that an account generates automated content, helping users distinguish between human and AI-generated content.
6. Professional Category Labels
Users can select a professional category when converting to a Professional Account. These labels are self-selected and can be changed by the user.
X retains control over the application of blue, gold, and grey checkmarks as well as affiliation badges and automated account labels. Third-party apps cannot replicate this process. The platform aims to provide users with clearer information about the accounts they interact with through this verification system.
Loss of Verification
X reserves the right to remove the blue checkmark from any account at its discretion, in accordance with its Terms of Service.
To maintain the platform’s integrity, accounts with recent changes to profile photos, display names, or usernames may temporarily lose the checkmark pending review. Multiple changes during a review period are prohibited.
Additionally, accounts violating X Rules are subject to checkmark removal.
Individuals under US and other applicable economic sanctions cannot purchase X Premium.
Any breach of X’s Terms of Service and Rules or any manipulation of platform processes may result in checkmark removal or account suspension.
The Blue Checkmark: A Symbol of Status and Trust
Getting verified on Twitter, now X, can significantly enhance an account’s visibility, credibility, and authority. While the platform’s shift to a subscription-based verification model offers a more accessible route, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of paid verification against the potential prestige associated with legacy verification.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue verification should align with individual or brand goals. Regardless of the chosen path, maintaining a strong online presence and adhering to X’s platform guidelines are crucial for preserving the blue checkmark and maximising its value.
FAQs
Still have questions about getting verified on Twitter, now X? Here is some helpful info:
How long does paid verification take?
Paid verification via Twitter Blue takes 1-2 days after submitting your application and payment.
What happens if I cancel my Twitter Blue subscription?
Your blue badge will be removed if you cancel after obtaining paid verification.
Can my verified status ever get revoked?
Yes, violating rules under either the paid or free pathway can still result in badge removal.
Does verification help with reach or impressions?
Not directly, but it can drive more profile views and lend credibility helpful for content promotion.
In a Nutshell
In the past, the process for how to get verified on Twitter, now X, was complex. Now, X has simplified the procedure, making it possible for users to request verification directly—all you need to do is make sure you have followed the outlined steps and guidelines carefully before applying.
In 2023, the social media landscape underwent a significant transformation as Twitter evolved into 'X' with Elon Musk's acquisition. This change proposed a brand new era...
