How to Apply for a Verification Badge on Any Social Platform

The verification badge – the tiny little blue checkmark that sets you apart from millions of other accounts. While this badge may be a bit unattainable for most right now, there is growth to be had and popularity to be earned that can take you there. So it helps to know how to apply, set your accounts up for success, and maximize the chances of your account being noticed.   

While yes, it helps to be Beyoncé when applying for a badge, you don’t have to be. While platforms are indeed incredibly picky, they also take myriad aspects of popularity into account when handing out badges. So, even if your – say – a professional chess player or an insurance company, you still have a shot.  

If you’re gaining public popularity, there are tons of reasons to attempt to get your accounts verified. 

Download our checklist of 30+ ways to promote content here.

 Verification Benefits: 

• It’s a badge of expertise – you gain a new level of perceived authority with that little blue check. It represents a sign of trust – if you have a blue checkmark, you are someone to listen to. While this isn’t a completely airtight thought process, it’s hard for anyone to completely ignore a verified account. 
• It adds a new layer of security against productive identity theft. Since you have that blue check that you can’t fake, it sets you apart from phony pages that are piggy-backing on your success or trying to trick your followers. 
• Once you’re verified on one account, it can help you become verified on other accounts so your reputation as a person or organization of public interest spans across multiple platforms. 
• For some platforms, gaining verification unlocks new functionalities so you can level up your social content. For example, on Instagram. Once you are verified, you can add “swipe up” links to your stories, you can add longer IG videos to your feed, and other new benefits only available to verified accounts. 
• It becomes much easier to find and work with social influencers. When your unverified, it can be a little harder to promote the benefits of working with you or your company, especially when you’re reaching out to full-time influencers. When you’re verified, they are more like to come to you. 

So, now that we know the benefits of this sought-after icon, let’s dive into how you actually get one.  

Twitter  

Twitter Verification Qualifications 

The only set qualification for a Twitter verification badge is having a public profile with all the necessary profile information filled out. After that, you need that little x-factor called “public interest”. This means being a person (or organization) of prominence from industries like music, movies, fashion, politics, or journalism. But the buck doesn’t stop there – there are tons of industries or areas of interest that warrant verification badges. 

How to get verified on Twitter 

• Make sure all of the information on your profile is filled out and up-to-date 
• Verify your phone number 
• Verify your email address 
• Add your birthday 
• Make sure your profile is public 
• Fill out this form requesting consideration for a verification badge 
• If you are applying as a person instead of a business profile, you’ll need to include photo ID like a passport or driver’s license. 

Other tips that help your case: 

• Having a handle and profile name that closely match or include yours or your organization’s formal name 
• You have an opportunity during the verification process to write a paragraph stating why you should be verified. This is the perfect time to toot your own horn with PR, news articles from prominent sources, and list your reasoning for why you deserve to be verified. 

It usually takes about 7-10 days for Twitter to process the form and decide whether or not to act on your request for consideration. If your request is rejected, don’t be too disappointed! You can put in a few more fire tweets and re-apply for Twitter verification in 30 days. 

Instagram 

The little blue Instagram badge is one of the more sought-after verification badges to have because you receive more than just bragging rights. You gain new functionalities on your account that are exclusive to verified accounts and early access to new functionalities. 

Instagram verification qualifications 

There are no set follow goals to achieve for getting a verified account, but Instagram is particularly picky about who receives the badge. Instagram keeps it simple and open-ended, saying “only some public figures, celebrities, and brands have verified badges on Instagram” and “accounts with a high likelihood of being impersonated” is a main deciding factor and have a higher likelihood to be verified. Other than that, you need to: 

• Adhere to Instagram’s community guidelines 
• Only have one main account (you can’t verify multiple representing the same person or brand, unless it is for language reasons) 
• You need a public profile 
• Your bio needs to be complete 
• The person or organization the profile represents needs to be “notable” (this is an open-ended interpretation) 

How to get verified on Instagram 

• Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner
• Click “Settings” 
• Click “Account” 
• Click “Request Verification” 
• Fill in the request for consideration form, which includes your full name, your AKA if applicable, your relevant industry, and a photo of a government ID. For people, that’s a driver’s license or passport. For companies, it could be a utility bill, articles of incorporation, or tax filings. 

Extra tips to help your case: 

• Don’t attempt to fake your way to verification. “Buying a badge” will only set you back the money you paid. If people reach out to you saying you can buy their badge, that is fake and wonk work out in the long run. 
• Work to get followers, but only real followers. Yes, there is no set number of followers that will grant you a badge. But having engaged followers doesn’t hurt your case! By buying followers, you break community guidelines. Instead of a verification badge, you’ll get shut down. 
• Don’t link to other social accounts in your bio as a means to boost cross-platform follows. Instagram doesn’t like the “follow me here” strategy – so keep Instagram on Instagram.  
• Time your request for when your name is popping up in the news. If you are being talked about online, your chances of verification are much higher. 

Within 7 days, you should receive a direct “yes or no” in the notifications tab of your profile. It won’t include any reasoning or feedback as to how you can set yourself up for verification. If your case is rejected, you can apply again in 30 days. 

Pinterest 

With Pinterest, it was originally all about getting that little red checkmark, but they recently switched it to blue. So much for being different!  

Once you’re verified on Pinterest, you are able to display your full website URL right on your Pinterest profile and more eyes on your content among other interests! Pinterest follows the same guidelines as Other social channels by only verifying accounts of public interest. Their reasoning is to get people to the pages they’re looking for, instead of fan pages or fake accounts. Pinterest’s process differs from  

How to get Verified on Pinterest 

• Make sure your Pinterest account is a business account. This not only makes you eligible for verification but also instantly unlocks new tracking and analytics options. 
• Claim your website on Pinterest. This entails adding a file or a string of code to the backend of your website, to prove ownership of your digital content. 

Extra tips to help your case: 

• Be as thorough and honest with your profile as you can.  
• Connect any social accounts (especially if they are already verified). The opposite reaction to Instagram, It’s a good practice to connect your other social platforms to reinforce your expertise and audience reach. 

Once you submit your website for verification, you should receive an email to the email address connected to your account if your form has been rejected.  

Facebook 

Facebook lists their verification badge as a signifier “that an account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity, or global brand it represents.” 

Facebook Verification Qualifications 

Facebook’s policies are perhaps obviously close to mirroring that of Instagram’s. Facebook requires that you follow all platform guidelines. They state that accounts likely to be verified are authentic, complete, unique, and notable.  

Facebook prioritizes individuals and organizations with high search results. When reviewing an account for verification, Facebook researches multiple news sources and PR but don’t consider paid or promotional content as sources for review. 

How to get verified on Facebook: 

• All you need to do is fill out this form. 
• Include documentation proving your identity or your organization’s standing. If your account represents an individual, you’ll need a copy of your official government-issued photo identification (example: passport, driver’s license, national identification card). If your account represents an organization, you’ll need a copy of a phone or utility bill, a certificate of formation, articles of incorporation, or tax exemption documents. 
• There is also space to write a couple of sentences to include relevant links and explain why your account should be verified. 

You’ll receive a notification on the Facebook platform when their team is finished reviewing your request. If your request for consideration is rejected, you can submit a new request after 30 days. 

TikTok 

TikTok always tends to follow the road less traveled, and their process for gaining a verification badge is no different. 

 On TikTok you can’t actually apply for a verification badge. They care less about who you are off TikTok, and more about who you are on the platform.  If TikTok thinks your account deserves a badge, they will seek you out. But, there are steps you can take to maximize your chances of catching TikTok’s eye. 

How to improve your chances of gaining a verification badge on TikTok 

• Consistent follower growth is an important part of getting a verification badge. This comes from consistent, high-quality content and consistent tagging of relevant accounts, and consistent engagement with others. 
• Growing watch time is another important aspect. This shows TikTok that your content is quickly gaining popularity. 
• If your TikToks are getting a buzz off of the account, that’s a great sign you’re on the right track. Links back to your account, especially from prominent news sources, is a great help on the path to verification. 
• Accounts of users that are already verified on other accounts are much more likely to eventually be verified on TikTok as well.  

That little blue checkmark is the pot of gold at the end of a very long rainbow. But, if you have a good following and work hard at your messages, it doesn’t have to be a pipe dream! If you need help developing a verification-worthy social strategy, reach out to our team!