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With the roll-out of Twitter’s new verification process kicking off, the company has revealed who can apply for a blue tick and the steps they need to take.
Twitter is beginning the roll-out its new verification process today (20 May). In a statement, the social media giant said the new steps are based on public feedback and provide more “transparency, credibility and clarity” to the process behind its famous blue tick.
The blue tick is reserved for public figures and accounts of public interest. In order to qualify for one beside your name, you’ll need to fall under one of six categories: government; companies, brands and organisations; news organisations and journalists; entertainment; sports and gaming; and activists, organisers and other influential individuals.
There will be more categories added to this list later this year, making scientists, academics and religious leaders eligible for the new verification process too.
You’ll also need what Twitter refers to as a “complete” account with a profile name, profile image and either a confirmed email address or phone number.
Only accounts that have been active within the last six months before applying for verification will be considered, as well as those that have a proven track record of complying with general Twitter rules.
How to apply for Twitter verification
In the next few weeks, all Twitter users will be able to apply for verification in their Account Settings tab. The update will be rolled out gradually, Twitter said, so that it can review applications as they come in.
After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll get an email from Twitter. Depending on the number of applications in the queue, you should receive this within a few days but it could take up to a few weeks.
If your application is successful, you’ll see the blue badge automatically appear on your account. If Twitter tells you your application hasn’t been approved, you can apply again 30 days after that.
Image: Twitter
Verified users will get access to new guidelines from Twitter. “These verification guidelines are intended to encourage healthy conversations for the betterment of the Twitter community overall,” the company said.
“They follow the philosophy to lead by example, tweet others how they want to be tweeted, and serve the public conversation authentically, respectfully and with consideration.”
Verified accounts that fail to comply with the revised guidelines repeatedly may have their blue tick removed. Twitter has advised users to follow its official verification account for updates.
The company paused its verification programme in 2017. Since then, it has been gathering feedback and preparing new policies.
Twitter has also been rolling out new features recently, such as fact-checking programme Birdwatch, monetisation tool Tip Jar, and live audio feature Spaces.
Beyond verification, Twitter is also planning new account types and features, such as ways to denote automated and memorialised accounts and adding an About page for users. Through these updates, it said it hopes to “expand the ways people can express themselves on Twitter”.
Other platforms are investing in similar avenues of personalisation, with LinkedIn and Instagram recently introducing the option for users to add gender pronouns to their profiles.
