Have you been a Twitter user for a long time? Garnered a decent following? And are now wondering how to get verified on Twitter? Well, you have come to the right place. After a prolonged 3-year hiatus, Twitter recently restarted its verification program and now lets users apply for verification to get the blue tick. Many Twitter users consider the company’s blue checkmark the gold standard for being a notable personality on the platform. So in this article, we will talk about the basic requirements to get verified on Twitter, the steps involved to apply for verification, and some helpful tips to easily get verified on Twitter in 2021.
Get Verified on Twitter (Updated May 2021)
Twitter Verification Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the blue tick on Twitter, your account should come under one of the following six categories:
- Government
- Companies, brands, and organizations
- News organizations and journalists
- Entertainment
- Sports and gaming
- Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals
Some common factors across all categories include having a public Twitter account and having three or more media references within the past six months. In addition, Twitter requires companies, brands, organizations, and activists to have their follower count in the top .05% of active accounts located in the same geographic region. You can read more on Twitter’s criteria for specific categories on the company’s support page.
How to Apply for Twitter Verification
1. Open the Twitter app and tap on “Settings and Privacy” from the hamburger menu on the left. From here, tap on “Account” to access your account settings.
2. You will now see an option titled “Request Verification”. Tap on it to access the verification settings page. If you don’t see it, you will have to wait for a while because Twitter is still in the process of rolling it out. From the page that appears, choose the appropriate category for your account.
3. You should now choose a method to verify your identity. You will need to upload a government-issued ID, add an official business email address, or an official website that directly references your Twitter account. Pick the verification method that best suits you, and then submit your application.
Note: If you are concerned about your privacy, Twitter mentions that it does not get or store a copy of your government ID on an official FAQ page. The company relies on a trusted third party to “verify the authenticity of your ID” and decide whether your account is eligible for verification or not.
4. Once you have submitted the application, you will see a confirmation screen similar to the one you can see below.
With all of that said, do keep in mind that applying for verification doesn’t necessarily guarantee a blue tick on Twitter. If you think you deserve a blue tick on Twitter, just submit the application and wait for Twitter to respond. The company typically gets back with its decision in a few weeks via email. You will also receive an official DM from the @verified account on Twitter.
Can I Reapply for Twitter Verification, If Rejected?
Now, let’s say you applied for verification on Twitter and didn’t manage to secure the blue tick on the first try. What should be your next move? Well, don’t be disheartened if you fail on the first attempt. You can reapply to get verified on Twitter.
On its official FAQ page, Twitter states you can “reapply for verification 30 days after rejection if you feel that your application should not have been rejected.” Also, there is no restriction on the number of times you can apply for verification.
That means you can essentially apply for verification every 60-odd days. We came to that number by assuming that Twitter gets back to you with your application status in 30 days, and then you have to wait another 30 days to reapply. Ultimately, you can apply to get verified on Twitter almost 5 to 6 times a year, barring that new applications are not on pause.
Best Tips to Get Verified on Twitter
Even if your account satisfies all the conditions we added in the eligibility section, Twitter may not necessarily verify your profile. That’s because the company considers a few signals for determining the account’s noteworthiness. And they are as follows:
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Complete and Optimize Your Twitter Profile
Applicants must have filled in all the details in their profile, including the profile name, profile picture, cover photo, and bio. In the user bio, it is always wise to add how the general public should recognize you. This could be a job title or notable achievement.
For example, my colleague Anmol’s Twitter profile clearly shows his name, profile and cover photo, and the job description. It is always a good idea to include the @account name of your employer in the bio. You can also include links to your blog posts or any mentions on the web on your profile.
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Make Sure Your Account is Active
Twitter requires verified accounts to be active on the platform. You must have at least logged into the account in the past six months. While you are at it, make sure you tweet regularly and engage with other Twitter users through tweet replies and DMs. It sounds like a simple tip but will greatly help you build a brand and get one step closer to getting verified on Twitter.
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Build Credibility on Twitter
While building a complete profile with your picture, blog post/ video/ book links, and other details is essential, there are several other ways to build credibility on Twitter. You could tweet out articles you’ve written for a major publication and connect with other profiles in the process. Tag your publication, brand accounts mentioned in the story, and more in the tweet to build authority on that topic.
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Confirmed Email Address and Number
You should have a confirmed email address or phone number for security reasons. In addition, we would recommend enabling two-factor authentication for Twitter to add another layer of security to your account.
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Follow Twitter Rules
This might seem obvious, but Twitter requires applicants not to have had a 12-hour or 7-day lockout for violating the Twitter Rules in the past year.
Steps to Get the Blue Tick on Twitter
So, that’s how you can apply to get verified on Twitter in 2021. Whether you are building a personal brand or grow your business, having a verified Twitter account surely helps build credibility. If you think you don’t fit in any of the eligible categories right now, you will be glad to know that the company has plans to expand the categories to include scientists, academics, and religious leaders later this year. Good luck! And don’t forget to share your experience with us in the comments below.
While you are here, check out the best Twitter tips and tricks to elevate your social media experience. You should also learn how to use Twitter Fleets and Twitter Spaces to engage with your followers in new ways.
