Get Verified on Twitter in 2022: The Twitter Blue Check

You can now apply to be Twitter verified and receive a blue checkmark next to your name that tells users that your account isn't a spammer, troll, or bot—it's the real deal. To become verified on Twitter, you need to confirm your identity, have a notable presence on and off Twitter, have an active Twitter account, and send in a request for consideration as a verified user.

It is especially important for micro-influencers, thought leaders, and small businesses to apply for verification and get that blue badge so that fake accounts cannot impersonate them. Having a verified Twitter profile makes it harder for scammers to use your name to spread misinformation, hold fake contests to steal your followers’ information, and more—that eventually leads to mistrust.

How to get verified on Twitter: A step-by-step guide

 

Here’s what you need to do to get verified on Twitter:

1. Make sure your profile meets Twitter’s activity standards.
2. Go into your account settings and start the verification process by clicking “request verification.”
3. A popup will appear telling you more about Twitter verification—click “Start Now.”
4. Tell Twitter who you are by selecting the right category.
5. Provide proof that you've selected the right category (e.g., your official website, articles about you, etc.).
6. Verify your identity by providing an official email address, website, or government-issued ID.
7. Click “submit” and wait for Twitter to get back to you.

Note: The “verified” link should appear as the fourth entry in your account information settings. If you see it but cannot click it, your account does not meet Twitter’s eligibility criteria.
 

3 account requirements defined by Twitter

With the release of Twitter’s most recent verification guidelines, getting verified on Twitter is clearer than ever. Your account needs to have three characteristics—active, notable, and authentic—to even be considered as a candidate for verification.
 

1. Your Twitter account needs to be active

An active Twitter account has a profile name and profile image, has been logged into at least once in the last six months, and has a confirmed email address or phone number attached to it. You also need to make sure that you haven't violated any Twitter rules in the past six months that could have warranted a 12-hour or seven-day lockout.

 

Twitter also recommends that you set your profile name as your real name or brand name, that your profile photo and cover photo accurately represent what you’re about, and that your bio mentions an area of expertise or company mission—really sell yourself.

If you want to make sure that your account activity meets Twitter’s standards, we recommend building a regular posting schedule a few weeks to a month before you turn in your verification request. Here are two easy steps:

1. Hop on to Buffer and fill up your content calendar with tweets for the next 30 days.
2. Be sure to engage with your followers in mentions and direct messages (easily done with Buffer Engage).

When you're sure that your account is active, you can proceed to send your Twitter account in for verification.
 

2. Your Twitter account needs to be notable

Your account needs to be affiliated with an influential or prominent brand or personality. Notability is important during the verification process, as the first thing you’ll need to do is “Tell us who you are.” Here are the six notability categories from Twitter:

1. The Government category is for state- and federal-level government officials, public offices, official candidates, public utilities, and other people in leadership.

2. The companies, brands, and organizations category is for prominent companies, brands, and organizations—such as non-profit organizations, startups, and small businesses—and the leaders of those entities.

3. News organizations and journalists is for official news organizations, including magazines, newspapers, broadcast and cable TV, as well as individual journalists.

4. Entertainment is for organizations in the entertainment industry—music production companies, film festivals, TV networks, etc.

5. Sports and gaming is for official sports leagues, esports leagues, sports teams, and other sports organizations.

6. Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals is for individuals of high public interest who fall outside of the professional categories above—medical professionals, local public figures and political leaders, etc.—but are still prone to getting impersonated.

To qualify for your category, you’ll need to provide proof that you do, indeed, belong to that category. For example, if you want to get your account verified as a journalist, you need to provide links to three bylines or credits in qualified publications.

Read more about each category and the requirements here.

3. Your Twitter account needs to be authentic

Your account needs to be authentic, meaning you need to be who you say you are. There are three ways you can verify your identity to Twitter:

1. Provide a link to your website (the website needs to have a clear link to your account).
2. Provide a photo of an official government-issued ID.
3. Provide an official email address with a relevant domain.

You need to upload your proof of identity while filling out your verification form, so have the information on hand before you hit “Start Now.”