The process of getting verified on Twitter has evolved over the years, prompting us to provide an updated guide on the current verification procedure. This is especially important because misinformation abounds. This article is up-to-date and includes changes made by Elon Musk in 2023.
Twitter verification via Direct Request
Previously, you could request verification from Twitter by completing a form found in the account menu. This form allowed you to include links as evidence of your authenticity and notoriety. However, since Elon Musk assumed control of Twitter, the verification process has undergone changes. The option to request verification via the menu has disappeared.
Currently, there are three methods to obtain verification on Twitter, each corresponding to one of three types of checkmarks: blue, gray, and gold. In this article, we will explain the meaning of these checkmarks, how to obtain them, and which types of accounts are eligible.
Blue checkmark
Twitter now offers a straightforward path to verification through its service called “Twitter Blue“. After activation, the blue checkmark typically appears on your account within a few days following a manual review.
However, certain requirements must be met. Your account must be at least 90 days old, comply with all Twitter Rules, and have a verified phone number associated with it. Furthermore, once your account is verified, you should refrain from changing its name, username, or profile photo. Any such changes will result in the loss of the blue checkmark, requiring a reevaluation. Violating Twitter’s terms of use can also lead to the removal of the blue checkmark, even if you continue to pay the fee.
Purchasing Twitter Blue not only provides the verification badge next to your username but also offers several features and benefits. Twitter Blue users can edit tweets, experience fewer ads, post tweets with up to 4000 characters, upload NFT profile pictures, and share videos up to 60 minutes in length. Additionally, your tweets will receive a boost in reach and ranking on search and replies.
As nearly any account subscribing to Twitter Blue can obtain the blue checkmark, it is no longer a conventional verification symbol. It now signifies a status symbol. When users click on the blue checkmark, a message appears stating, “This account is verified.”
Twitter Blue can be purchased on the website for $8 USD per month or $84 USD per year, and on the app for $11 USD per month or $149.99 USD per year.
Grey checkmark
Gray checkmarks are exclusively designated for governmental and multilateral organizations, as well as their representatives. This type of checkmark serves to confirm the authenticity of accounts and their representation of the entities they claim to represent.
Clicking on a gray checkmark reveals the message: “This account is verified because it is a government or multilateral organization account.” This form of verification applies to:
- National-level government organizations: executive office accounts, agency accounts overseeing specific policy areas, primary embassy and consulate accounts, and parliamentary or equivalent institutional and committee accounts.
- State and local government organizations: primary executive office accounts and key agency accounts responsible for crisis response, public safety, law enforcement, and regulatory matters.
- Government individuals: heads of state (presidents, monarchs, prime ministers), deputy heads of state (vice presidents, deputy prime ministers), national-level cabinet members or their equivalents, the chief official spokesperson for the executive branch or equivalent, and individual members of all chambers of supranational or national congresses, parliaments, or their equivalents.
- Multilateral organisations: main headquarters-level, regional-level, and country-level institutional accounts.
- Multilateral individuals: the head and deputy head or their equivalents within the multilateral organization.
- Current US state governors and senior military leaders (US only).
The gray checkmark can be requested by completing this form: Gray Checkmark Request. Importantly, verification for governmental and multilateral organizations and officials is provided at no cost.
Gold checkmark
Twitter has introduced a new service known as “Twitter Verified Organizations“, which enables companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to attain verification. Accounts verified through this method feature golden checkmarks and square avatars instead of round ones.
Clicking on a gold checkmark reveals the message: “This account is verified because it’s an official organization on Twitter.”
One key advantage of this type of verification is that every organization participating in the program can link multiple individuals, businesses, and brands to its account. Affiliate accounts will display a small badge featuring the profile photo of the Verified Organization they are associated with, alongside their own blue or gold checkmark. This allows organizations to connect their directors, employees, businesses, trademarks, and more. Each of these affiliated accounts will have its own checkmark and will be linked to the main account.
Clicking on the affiliate account badge generates the message: “This account is verified because it’s an affiliate of @username on Twitter,” with the username referring to the Verified Organization.
The gold checkmark can be requested by completing this form: Gold Checkmark Request. It comes at a cost of $1,000 USD per month, with an additional $50 USD per month for each affiliate account.
Hi! Thank you for the information. I’ve bought Twitter Blue, but still didn’t get the blue tick. I’ve been waiting for a week. What could be the problem? Will I get verified? Thank you.
Hi! There are many reasons why the verification might be delayed or not received. It could be that Twitter is getting too many requests at the moment, or there might be a problem with your specific account that prevents it from getting verified. I’ll contact you by email to ask you for your username.
Great article! One question: I bought Twitter Blue from the App Store where it’s more expensive. Now I want to cancel the subscription and get it again but on the web to pay less. Is that possible? Will I lose the blue tick? Thanks.
Hi! Yes, you can cancel and buy the service again. I’d recommend doing it close to the end of the paid month to avoid paying twice. Once you have cancelled, the blue tick won’t immediately disappear, so you might be able to continue with the verification uninterruptedly.
How long does it take to get verified once I bought Twitter Blue?
Hi! It depends. The quicker I’ve seen is 48 hrs. But it depends on how many people are signing up to Twitter Blue and how notable your account is.
What kind accounts can be verified? Do I have to put my real name, or it could be a fake one? Cheers.
Hi! At the moment there is no requirement for a real name. I’ve seen many accounts with random names getting the blue tick. But remember it’s not recommended you change it after getting verified, so I recommend choosing the definitive one before buying Twitter Blue.
Hello. If I get Twitter Blue, is it 100% sure I’ll get verified with the blue tick? Or it might not happen?
Hi! If your account meets the eligibility criteria, it’ll get verified. It has to be at least 90 days old, comply with Twitter Rules and have a verified phone number.
Hi! Thank you for your article and the kind responses to our questions. I have one remaining question: can Twitter accounts with few followers get verified? Or my account needs to be popular?
Hi! There’s no requirement on the number of followers the account must have. I’ve seen Twitter accounts get verified with only 5 followers.
Hi! I want to get verified but I don’t see a way to subscribe to Twitter Blue in my account. The option doesn’t show up. Can you help?
Hi! The most common reason for that is that you’re not residing in a country where Twitter Blue is available (the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK). But there are ways to subscribe anyway. Contact me via contact form on the website so I can help you.
Twitter Blue is not available in my country. Can you verify my Twitter account?
Hi! Yes, it’s possible. Please contact me via contact form.
My Twitter account has been verified years ago, through the old method. It now says “This is a legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable”. I’ve heard that only Twitter Blue verifications will remain. Will I lose the blue tick?
Hi! It does seem that Elon Musk is planning to remove all legacy blue ticks and leave only Twitter Blue verifications. However, considerable backlash would ensue from celebrities if he does that. So it’s uncertain at the moment.
Hi, thanks for the info. Once my account got the verified badge, will it stay indefinitely? Or should I keep paying the subscription for it to remain? Thank you.
Hi! You have to stay subscribed to Twitter Blue for the blue tick to remain in your account. If you cancel your subscription, it’ll disappear in a couple of days.