Twitter Verification: Paid and Free Options, Tips, and Strategies

Twitter verification is a process that can help increase your credibility and trustworthiness on the platform. You can request verification through Twitter's website.

To be eligible for verification, you must have a complete profile, including a profile picture, header image, and bio. This is a requirement for both paid and free options.

Verification is not just for celebrities and public figures. Anyone can apply for verification, including small businesses and organizations.

Having a verified account can also give you access to Twitter's blue checkmark, which can help you stand out in search results.

Here's an interesting read: Who Viewed My Twitter Profile App

Twitter verification has been a topic of controversy since its introduction. Actor William Shatner raised an issue with several Engadget editorial staff on Twitter in 2014, claiming they were bullying him during a text interview with Mashable.

The controversy surrounding Twitter's verification process continued in 2017, when the company verified the account of white supremacist Jason Kessler. Many criticized Twitter's decision, seeing it as a political act, and the company responded by putting its verification process on hold.

Recommended read: Company That Owns Facebook and Instagram

Twitter's verification process has been criticized for not being transparent, leading to digital marginalization of already marginalized communities. In 2019, Dalit activists in India alleged that higher-caste people get Twitter verification easily, sparking the hashtags #CancelAllBlueTicksInIndia and #CasteistTwitter.

The blue checkmark was once a highly sought-after qualification among Twitter users, but its impact has been complex. Alison Hearn argued in 2017 that it introduced a new social class of Twitter users, causing tension between verified and non-verified users.

Controversy has surrounded Twitter's verification process since 2014, when actor William Shatner raised an issue with several Engadget editorial staff on Twitter, claiming they were bullying him.

The controversy continued to unfold over the next few years, with Twitter's practice and process for verifying accounts coming under scrutiny in 2017 after the company verified the account of white supremacist and far-right political activist Jason Kessler.

Twitter paused all general verifications while it worked to resolve the issue, acknowledging that it had created confusion and needed to do better.

See what others are reading: Climatic Research Unit Email Controversy

In 2019, Dalit activists in India alleged that higher-caste people were getting Twitter verification easily, leading to a trending hashtag #CancelAllBlueTicksInIndia, which critics said highlighted the company's non-transparent verification process and its potential to cause digital marginalization.

Twitter India rejected the allegations, calling them "impartial" and working on a "case-by-case" policy.

The issue of verification has also been tied to the spread of false information on the platform, with reporters noting that trolls were using the blue checkmark to feign credibility in 2022.

Consider reading: Facebook Ipo Case Study

Paid verification on Twitter has become a topic of controversy, and for good reason. The cost of a paid verification is $8/month on the web or $11/month on iOS.

The availability of paid verification is limited to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, making it inaccessible to many users worldwide.

To get paid verification, you'll need to provide a valid government ID and phone number. This is a requirement, and it's not optional.

For another approach, see: Twitter Paid Posts

The badge for paid verification looks different from the legacy badge, with a distinct color and appearance. This is supposed to make it clear that the account has paid for verification.

One of the benefits of paid verification is that you get subscriber-only features, such as the ability to edit tweets and upload 1080p videos.

However, this benefit comes with a drawback: your paid verification can be revoked at any time for violating X/Twitter rules.

To verify your Twitter account, you'll need to go through a verification process. This process helps Twitter confirm that you're the actual owner of the account.

The process varies depending on your account type, whether you're an individual or an organisation. For individuals, you can choose between three methods to verify your account.

Here are the three methods:

You can choose the method that best suits your situation, and Twitter will review your application to verify your account.

Getting verified on Twitter, now X, can be a game-changer for your online presence.

Having a verified badge can improve brand awareness and make your content marketing more effective. It's a signal of high authority and authenticity, which is crucial for building trust with your audience.

According to a survey, 85% of customers buy products and patronize services from brands they trust. So, it's no wonder that getting verified can have a significant impact on your business.

Here are some key benefits of getting verified on Twitter:

Getting verified can also help you build a strong online presence and protect yourself against identity theft. It's a way to prove that you're a real person or business, and that you're committed to engaging with your audience.

Ultimately, getting verified on Twitter is worth considering, especially if you're serious about growing your presence on the platform.

Suggestion: Is Tiktok Lite Getting Banned

Twitter verification types are more diverse than you might think. There are three main types of verification: blue, gold, and gray checkmarks.

A blue checkmark is typically given to individual accounts, such as creators, influencers, public figures, and celebrities, who have a subscription to X Premium and meet the eligibility criteria. This type of verification is also available to some business and brand accounts.

A gold checkmark can be seen on accounts registered through Twitter's Verified Organizations program. These accounts will have a square profile image instead of the traditional circle.

Gray checkmarks are reserved for government or multilateral organizations, as well as political figures and government officials.

Here's a quick rundown of the different verification types:

To get verified on Twitter, you'll need to meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements have changed over time, but as of April 1, 2023, you'll need to have an active X Premium subscription to be eligible for a blue checkmark.

To start the verification process, you'll need to ensure your account has been active, which means posting, replying, liking, and sharing posts from other accounts in the last 30 days. Your account must also be at least 90 days old.

See what others are reading: What Is Windows Azure Active Directory

To increase your chances of getting verified, make sure your account is complete and accurate, including a profile name, profile photo, and bio. You'll also need to verify your phone number.

If you're trying to get verified as a government entity, company, brand, or influential individual, you'll need to go through a lengthy review process that requires public interest confirmation from references. This process has a low acceptance rate.

Here are the basic steps to get verified on Twitter:

Keep in mind that the verification process can take time, and there's no guarantee of approval. If your application is approved, you'll be awarded a gold checkmark and have access to additional features.

Getting verified on Twitter can be a game-changer for your online presence.

Getting verified sounds easy, but even small mistakes can delay the process.

To improve your chances of getting verified, follow the best practices mentioned earlier.

While an X Premium subscription typically guarantees a blue check verification for most users, Twitter still reviews accounts for eligibility.

Following the tips below can help you increase your chances of getting verified on Twitter.

Getting verified on Twitter requires attention to detail, so make sure to double-check your account information.

Following the tips outlined in this article can help you improve your chances of getting verified on Twitter.

Additional reading: Tweeting Tips

X employs a system of visual indicators, including checkmarks and labels, to provide users with more information about accounts on the platform. These indicators serve to differentiate between various account types and enhance transparency.

The blue checkmark is a symbol of status and trust, and getting verified on X can significantly enhance an account's visibility, credibility, and authority. This is especially true for individuals or brands looking to build thought leadership.

To receive or retain the blue checkmark, your account must maintain an active X Premium subscription, have a complete profile with a display name and profile photo, demonstrate recent platform activity within the past 30 days, have a confirmed phone number linked to the account, and adhere to platform guidelines.

Related reading: Twitter Blue Bird

The blue checkmark is exclusively reserved for accounts with an active X Premium subscription that meets the specific platform eligibility requirements. This means that accounts previously verified under the old system will lose the blue checkmark unless they subscribe to X Premium.

X's review team evaluates Premium-subscribed accounts against specific criteria to determine checkmark eligibility. These criteria include maintaining an active X Premium subscription, having a complete profile, demonstrating recent platform activity, having a confirmed phone number linked to the account, and adhering to platform guidelines.

Here are the specific requirements to receive or retain the blue checkmark:

The blue checkmark is a valuable source of authority for the average user, and it generally correlates with easily building more followers. This is because most people recognise the blue checkmark as a rare and desirable status, similar to how they would recognise a Medal of Honour as a high military accolade.

Consider reading: How Do People Get Verified on Instagram

Twitter's legacy verification policy was much more open, allowing anyone to apply for verification. This was a significant departure from the current policy, which has become much more exclusive.

Under the old policy, verification was available to accounts deemed "authentic, notable, and active" across various fields, including entertainment, journalism, government, sports, activism, and rising stars with significant reach or impact.

However, after Elon Musk's takeover, the new criteria imposed far stricter limitations, effectively excluding a substantial portion of previously verified accounts.

Here's a breakdown of the current eligible categories:

These changes have left many individuals and accounts without the free verification badge they once had.

The legacy free verification policy on X has undergone a significant overhaul since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform. This change has resulted in a more exclusive approach to verification.

Prior to November 2022, the free verification badge was available to a broader range of public figures. However, under the new policy, it is now strictly reserved for specific categories.

Government entities, including official political candidates and elected politicians, are among the groups that qualify for free verification. They are joined by major corporations and business partners directly affiliated with X/Twitter. Highly public-facing or influential celebrities also make the cut, as do global brands and organizations with significant public influence.

Registered non-profit charities and advocacy organizations, as well as credible news organizations and independent journalists, are also eligible for free verification. But what about individual experts, influencers, and creatives? Unfortunately, they no longer qualify for free verification under the new policy.

Here's a breakdown of the eligible groups for free verification:

In the past, Twitter, now X, opened up the verification process, allowing anyone to apply.

The steps were more straightforward, but it didn't guarantee success. If you wanted to get verified on Twitter, there were some basic things to understand first.

The verification process was accessible to anyone, but it required some basic understanding of the process.