How to get a verified Twitter Account in 2022

Majority the of Twitter users would want to have their accounts recognized by the social media company in form of a blue checkmark. These badges indicate verified accounts. According to Twitter, a verified account is any account of public interest that’s been authenticated by the company itself. Basically, it’s the company’s way of letting everyone know that you are who you say you are.

Recognizability, curtailing misinformation, and building trust with an audience — are all major reasons why individuals, public figures, and brands alike seek the blue checkmark from Twitter. But while it’s clear that verification comes with some benefits, getting verified may not be a walk in the park.

Twitter’s verification process has historically been very disorganized. When the blue checkmark was introduced in 2009, there was no way to apply for verification — Twitter had to magically bestow it upon you. But, in 2016, Twitter rolled out a public verification program. The company then closed applications in 2017 and didn’t reopen them until 2021.

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Twitter now has a clear verification policy, the application process, and which accounts are eligible for verification. If you want a blue checkmark, here’s everything you need to know to apply.

Do you have an eligible account?

According to Twitter’s Verification FAQ, eligible accounts “must be notable and active” and fall into one of six categories. These categories are:

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

There’s wiggle room when it comes to “other influential individuals”. For what it’s worth, Twitter defines a notable account as one that either represents or is associated with a high-profile individual or entity. If you’ve been written about in the news, have a Wikipedia page, or have a follower/mention count in the top .05 percent in your region, Twitter will consider your account notable.

It’s a bit easier to determine whether Twitter considers your account “active.” Active accounts are those that:

• 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)

But even if you meet all these criteria, your account still may not be eligible. Ineligible accounts include:

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

How to apply for Twitter verification

Before you apply, you’ll need to get your documents in order. Generally, you’ll need a way to verify your identity, an official email, and some supplemental evidence. The type of evidence you need will depend on the kind of account you have. For example, a content creator will need to provide different information than a government official.

Here are links to the evidence Twitter requires for each type of account as well as other prerequisites:

• Government offices, election candidates, and individuals
• News organizations and journalists
• Companies, brands, and organizations
• Entertainment
• Sports and gaming
• Activists and organizers
• Content creators and influential individuals

Once you’ve got everything you need, the actual application process isn’t too hard. (Though whether you successfully get verified is another matter entirely.) To apply on either Twitter’s web or mobile app:

• 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’ve submitted your application, you’ll have to wait for Twitter to review it. You should be notified via email within 14 days about whether you’ve been approved. If your application is unsuccessful, you’ll have to wait 30 days before you can apply again.

It should be noted that even if you meet all the criteria and have all the necessary evidence, you can still get rejected by Twitter and this is very annoying. There are some tips for stacking the odds in your favor. Keep in mind that even if you follow these to the letter, the whole verification process is still pretty arbitrary.