Twitter Is Giving Blue Checkmarks Again — Here’s How to Apply

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On Thursday, Twitter made a big announcement that should help people better use the popular social media site. For the first time since 2017, Twitter will be allowing accounts to apply for verification. The coveted blue checkmark, Twitter’s seal of verification, will again be available for Twitter accounts that apply for the badge, are verifiable, and meet the criteria.

About Twitter’s New Verification Process

As people interact on Twitter, they want to know if the account they’re dealing with is the real deal. So Twitter conducted a review of its verification procedure and issued a new policy to make the blue checkmark badge more meaningful. In November last year, Twitter asked the public for input on its verification process. At that time, Twitter stated, “We know how important it is to be able to express yourself and understand who you’re talking to on Twitter.”

Hoping to take some of the mystery out of verification, Twitter announced last week that it’s making more clear how accounts are verified. Twitter stated on Thursday, “The blue badge is one of the ways we help people distinguish the authenticity of accounts that are of high public interest. It gives people on Twitter more context about who they’re having conversations with so they can determine if it’s trustworthy, which our research has shown leads to healthier, more informed conversations.”

Further, the company is reviewing accounts that already have the blue checkmark and deleting the badge from accounts that no longer meet its standards. Twitter explained, “We also started enforcing that policy by automatically removing the verified badge from accounts that no longer meet the updated criteria for verification, such as those that are inactive or incomplete. ”

The company hopes that this new policy will reassure Twitter users that verified accounts are legitimate. In its announcement, Twitter stated, “Today’s application rollout marks the next milestone in our plans to give more transparency, credibility and clarity to verification on Twitter.”

Applying for Twitter Verification

In addition to its new verification policy, Twitter has developed a new application process that will be available to all Twitter accounts. Within the next few weeks, anyone with a Twitter account will be able to apply for a blue checkmark badge.

But not everyone who applies for verification from Twitter will receive it. Twitter has standards and those standards must be met by people who earn the blue badge.

Eligibility for Twitter Verification

Twitter’s new verification policy states, “To receive the blue badge, your account must be authentic, notable, and active.” An account must also have followed the Twitter Rules for the past 12 months. The account must be active within the past six months and have a complete profile, including:

• Profile name,
• Profile image, and
• Either a confirmed email address or phone number.

In this round of verification, Twitter is requiring that accounts must be in at least one of these six categories:

• Government
• Companies, brands and organizations
• News organizations and journalists
• Entertainment
• Sports and gaming
• Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals

Later this year, Twitter will expand these categories to include scientists, academics, and religious leaders.

You can learn more details about Twitter’s new verification policy at the Twitter Verification Help Page.

Want to try for Twitter’s blue checkmark? Here’s how to apply:

How to Apply for Twitter Verification

Over the next few weeks, Twitter will make its verification application available to all Twitter accounts. To apply, go to Account Settings in your Twitter account and look for the Verification option. If you don’t see that option, check back in a few days.

Begin the application process by telling Twitter which category your account fits into (see above for the list of categories).

Next, verify your identity by submitting a government ID, an official email address that relates to the category you chose, or an official website that references your Twitter account.

After you’ve submitted your application to Twitter, you’ll see an acknowledgment that your information has been received.

Twitter will send an email response within a few days, weeks, or months, depending on the volume of applications it receives.

If your application is approved and your account is verified, you’ll see a blue checkmark on your Twitter account. If your application is denied, you can reapply after 30 days.

To find out more and get updates about Twitter verification, follow @Verified on Twitter.

So we’re baaaaaaaaaack

Follow us for all things blue badge on this bird app pic.twitter.com/EUI81qCrr7

— Twitter Verified (@verified) May 20, 2021

Your Thoughts

Are you looking forward to Twitter’s new verification policy rolling out? Do you have more confidence in a Twitter account with a blue checkmark? Will you apply to become verified on Twitter?

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!