After years of interruption, and a clumsy start, Twitter is back (now yes) the verification process of accounts. Is it for you? In this article you will see how to get verified by Twitter.
1. Check the basic criteria
First of all, it is important to note for relevance criteria established by the social network. For example, you need to be notable in some area, whether it is government, business, journalism, the entertainment industry, sports, or relevant on the social network itself (which is generally measured by the number of followers; see below).
Before filling out the form, the interested party must have a complete profile. That is, a confirmed email address and a phone number linked to the account. It is also necessary not to have been suspended for violating the terms of use in the last 12 months.
In addition, the interested party must be reasonably assiduous on the platform. But it doesn't even need to be very frequent: the platform just can't have been abandoned for more than six months before the profile verification request.
With that in mind, here’s how to fill out the form.
2. Ask for verification
Unlike the old system, it is no longer necessary to go to a specific web page to request verification on Twitter. The option is available in the profile settings, but it is worth noting that it is being released in stages to users. In other words, not everyone has the new option yet.
Whoever has it will find it by following the steps on their cell phone:
- Expand the hamburger menu on the left side of the app
- Click on “Settings and Privacy”
- Select “Account”
- If available, the “Request verification” option will appear as the last option in the “Login and security” menu.
On the computer, the path is as follows:
- Click the ellipsis icon in the bottom left corner of the site, just above the Tweet button
- Select “Settings and Privacy”
- In the “Your Account” menu, choose “Account Information”
- Twitter may ask you to confirm your password. Re-enter it and continue.
- If available, the fourth option in the new expanded menu will be “Request Verification”
Filling out the Twitter verification form
When the option is selected, the user finally initiates the request to be verified on the social network. Depending on the category defined, the form may ask for different information. Let's, as an example, request verification based on the journalist criteria.
In this case, it is necessary to define whether we are seeking to grant verified status on Twitter to a news outlet's account or to a journalist. By selecting the “journalist” option, the system asks whether proof of authorship will be provided by citation in the contributors' list, or by published articles — the latter being more recommended for freelancers.
In this case, it is necessary to submit a minimum of three articles published in the last six months. It is possible to attach more articles, up to a limit of 12.
Next, you need to confirm your identity. This can be done by sending an official document, a corporate email from a prominent company in your field, or a website where you have published an article and that points to your Twitter account.
After that, confirm the data entered in the request to be verified and wait for a response within an average period of seven days. The response from the social network arrives with the denial or confirmation of the granting of the status through notifications, and also via email.
Accounts that cannot request verification on Twitter
Despite requiring notability in certain areas, some groups of accounts still cannot request verification. These are parodies, fan clubs, pet profiles, and fictional characters (as long as they are not affiliated with an organization; mascots can be verified.)
The company emphasizes that the number of followers is not necessarily important, since, for example, politicians and journalists may have a notable role outside the social network, but not much within it. In the case of influencers, engagement is an essential criterion, and therefore — even if indirectly — the number of followers ends up playing an important role in filling it.
How to Get Verified on Twitter as an Influencer or Activist
Twitter may also grant verification to profiles that stand out for their awareness campaigns and encouragement of community members (influencers). To do so, they must meet the requirements of activity on the platform and notability outside of it, according to at least one of the following rules:
- Number of followers in the top 0,05% of the rankings in the same geographic region
- In the top 0,05% of active accounts by engagement volume
- Wide credit for a hashtag movement in social media communities
And also at least one from the following group:
- Google Trends Profile
- File available on Wikipedia that meets the encyclopedia's notability requirements
- Three or more references to your work or movement in news outlets in the past six months
- Reference to your Twitter or full name indicating a leadership position on an official website, or associated with the movement in which you participate.
Notices for those who have been verified
Got it? Great! But with great power comes great responsibility. The Twitter verification badge is not a seal of approval for everything you publish. Appropriate sanctions will also be applied when terms are violated, which may even include the loss of the badge.
Additionally, it's important to note that changing your account information — such as your email address and username — will automatically result in your account losing your verified status. Locking your account — i.e., protecting your tweets — will also result in your account being locked.
Image: Nerthuz/Getty Images
