What is a verified Twitter account and how to get one

Photo by Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images

You are probably familiar with the blue checkmark if you have spent any time on social media. The badges show verified accounts. A verified account is one that has been approved by the company. It's a way of letting people know that you are who you say you are.

There are many reasons why you might want a verified account. The blue checkmark is a major reason why individuals, public figures, and brands seek it. Getting verified may not be a walk in the park if you don't know what you're getting into.

In the past, the verification process has been a big mess. It wasn't possible to apply for verification when the blue checkmark was introduced. In 2016 there was a public verification program on the micro-messaging site. The company closed applications and didn't open them again until 2021,

The verification policy, application process, and which accounts are eligible for verification were clarified during the four year hiatus. Everything you need to apply for a blue checkmark can be found here.

Do you have an eligible account?

Eligible accounts must be notable and active according to the verification FAQ. The categories are listed here.

• Government
• Companies (including brands and nonprofit organizations)
• News organizations and journalists
• Entertainment
• Sports and esports
• Activists, organizers, and “other influential individuals”

Image: Twitter

Don't fret if you don't fall into any of the categories. There is still a lot of wiggle room when it comes to other influential people. When it introduced its new verification policy, the company said it would add categories for scientists and religious leaders.

If you fall into one of these categories, the terms "notable" and "active" can be hard to define. Notable accounts are those that represent or are associated with a high-profile individual or entity. If you have been written about in the news, have a Wikipedia page, or have a follower count in the top.05 percent in your region, your account will be considered noteworthy. These aren't the only criteria that is considered by the social networking site. Third-party sources are used to evaluate whether an account is of public interest.

You can determine whether your account is active by looking at it. An active account is one that is active.

• Have complete profiles (e.g., a name and image)
• Are public and have been logged into within the past six months
• Have confirmed contact information
• Are in good standing (e.g., haven’t been locked out for violating Twitter’s policies)

Even if you meet all the criteria, your account is not eligible. There are ineligible accounts.

• Parody accounts
• Accounts for pets or fictional characters
• Newsfeeds
• Unofficial fan accounts
• Accounts that promote hateful content

How to apply for verification

You have to get your documents in order before applying. A way to verify your identity, an official email, and some supplemental evidence are generally required. It depends on the kind of account you have. Content creators need to give different information than government officials.

There are links to the evidence that is required for each account.

Image: Twitter

The application process is easy once you have everything you need. Whether you get verified is a matter of opinion. You can apply on either the web or mobile application.

• Head to Settings and privacy. You can access this by tapping your profile picture in the mobile app or clicking the three-dot button in the left-hand menu on the website.
• Select Your account and then Account information.
• On the website, you’ll be prompted to enter your password. You probably won’t have to do this on the app.
• Select Verification request.
• You’ll be prompted to submit a photo of your government-issued ID, your official email address, and additional evidence, as mentioned above.

Once you submit your application, you will have to wait for it to be reviewed by the social network. If you are approved, you should be notified via email. You have to wait 30 days for your application to be successful.

Tips to get successfully verified

You can still be rejected even if you meet all the criteria. There are some tips for stacking the odds. Even if you follow these to the letter, the verification process is still very random.

Image: Twitter

Keep your profile boring

Punny display names, silly profile pics, and jokey handles are some of the ways you can show off your personality on the social networking site. These can be counted against you during the verification process. It's cute to use your favorite video game character as your profile pic, but it can be a big reason why you're not approved. It's a good idea.

• Use a real picture of yourself or your business’s logo
• Use your actual name as your display name
• You can have a quirky handle, but relating it to your actual name may help

While your account is under review, it is better to show that you are a real person. It is possible to change it after you have been verified. There are plenty of verified accounts that participate in meme with no consequences.

Optimize your profile

What you do in your bio should be clear. Many journalists note their position, tag the publication they currently write for, and mention other websites where you can find their byline. Local government officials will usually list what they are running for. The more famous you are the more freedom you will have. This can help if you have a small following.

You should link to the official website if you have one. This can be a portfolio for a variety of things, including a professional website or an author page. If the email associated with your account is your professional one, it's helpful.

It is important that your bio does not have missing fields. Throw up a cover photo, add your birthday, and include your business's location in order to make it clear that you're the real thing. Make sure the images you use aren't blurry.

Make your account public and engage

Make sure your account is made public. You have to be public at the time of application for a private account.

Being a regular user is important. If you engage with other users for a sustained period before applying, you will be able to meet the requirements for logging in. It won't prove that you're bringing anything original to the platform if you just retweet other accounts. One easy way to increase engagement is to post high-quality photos on your social media accounts. If you show that you know how to use the platform, you can make a stronger case for yourself. There isn't a way to engage with your community.

Don't be a jerk It's a good way to get rejected quickly.

Don’t get too discouraged

You might need to apply multiple times in order to be successful. Despite having lots of evidence of my job, yours had to apply three times. There isn't a limit to how many times you can apply.

It takes time to build an audience. Try again if you don't get verified the first time.