How to Get Verified on Twitter

You have set your sights on a verified Twitter account, but don’t know where to go or what to do to get there? Well, buckle up, we have outlined the steps you need to take to have your account verified so that you can use social media to promote your brand.

Twitter is one of the leading social media platforms for businesses and celebrities to connect with their followers and promote their brand. It is no wonder that you would like to take the connection you’ve made with your followers one step further and add a verification to your account.

First things first, make sure that Twitter is accepting verified accounts. You don’t want to put in all of the work needed to make your account verifiable, just to find out that Twitter is not accepting your new verification request.

Once you have established whether or not getting verified is possible at this time, you can move on to the rest.

The importance of being verified on Twitter

That tiny blue checkmark on your profile says a lot. You know it, and so will your followers. If your profile is sporting the verification mark, you will not only tell your followers that you are legitimate, you are letting any prospective followers know that you are authentic and should be followed.

Who can get verified on Twitter?

In order for an account to be verified by Twitter, it must be an account that is of public interest. So, you must be associated or recognized as an actor, musician, member of the journalism media, politician, athlete, business or some other public figure.

If you are a business trying to grow your brand, it is easier to be recognized as legitimate but your account will still need to go through the verification request process to be recognized as legitimate on social media.

Update your account

All of the information in your profile must be accurate. Check that your bio is filled out with your real name and birthday (for personal accounts) and your cover photo and profile photo are both posted.

While you are making sure that you have accurate information on your profile, take the next step and ensure that your profile photo and cover photo are a representation of you or your brand.

You may hinder your chances of being verified if you send in your verification request with a photo or profile that does not match the content of your Twitter account.

Your Tweets should be public

You won’t be catching all of your potential followers if your account is in lockdown mode anyway, but if you want a verified Twitter account, you must have your profile set to “Public”.

Verify your phone number and mail ID

This step might seem tedious, but you will need to complete it to send your verification request. Verifying your number is as easy as navigating to “Settings and Privacy” in the profile menu.

Once you post your phone number, you will receive a one-time code, to verify your phone number. Verifying your mail follows a similar format, under the “Account” menu. Once you have a verified phone number and email or driver’s license, you are on your way to verification.

Request verification

Once you have checked and double-checked (to be safe) that you have completed all of the tasks in order to have your account verified, you may now apply for verification by submitting your profile to the verification form on Twitter.

Pros and Cons of getting verified on Twitter

Social media has opened the world up in so many ways. You are now able to show yourself or your products to a much larger audience. You can broadcast your sales or promotions, or any collaborations you may have in the works.

As with all social media platforms, there are pros and cons to being so public. Making your account public will allow any potential followers to interact with you and your brand, but you are also allowing your brand to be opened to scrutiny, complaints, and possible harassment.

But...you also need your account to be public in order to achieve verification. So, how do you find a balance between keeping your account verified and maintaining a private side of your brand?

Look to influencers. Influencers post a lot of their private lives- we get a glimpse into their homes, and even, sometimes, their washrooms. We see influencers in collaboration and sometimes we even seem them in extremely intimate situations!

Watch how influencers will tweet about their brand, and learn from them all the ways that a public Twitter account (or an account on any social network for that matter) can help connect your brand with your followers.

You might need thicker skin

Opening yourself (or your brand) up for public view and dialogue may cause your self-esteem to suffer. Just a bit. If you are going to be prominent on social media platforms you will probably have to develop a thicker skin.

You may find that your brand or business has had some negative feedback in this process. Deal with it, and move on. Chances are, you can also find a silver lining if you have found a complaint against your brand and offer some type of compensation to generate positive feedback.

What do the police have to do with it?

Police departments have turned to social media to help fight crime, and engage with citizens. Perhaps you have noticed your local police department’s presence on social media, Twitter specifically.

Some police departments have been using this platform to boost crime-solving by posting unsolved crimes or photos of missing or suspicious people and encouraging the public to respond.

There is a social aspect to police Twitter accounts. The public sees the police as less scary, which encourages dialogue and increased cooperation.

Of course, police departments must also go through the account verification process too. In this instance, verification provides the audience with a guarantee that they are interacting with the real deal. This trust works both ways- the public provides tips, and the police get more followers.

Through Twitter and other social media platforms, some police departments are building a trusting relationship with their communities by engaging with them and posting current and relevant information.

A social media analysis of police departments’ online actions has found that their presence in the medium has allowed them to remain and engaged with the people they are charged with protecting. It is like a modern-day “beat.” Once upon a time, police officers patrolled neighborhoods on foot and connected with residences and business owners through daily interaction. Increased populations and tight budgets have meant changes to how police officers do their jobs. Twitter makes it easy for these departments to connect again.

Use your social media account to draw new users, create brand loyalty and build trust with your audience.

How to get a verified Twitter profile

So, to recap, you need a verified Twitter account to confirm to people you are who you say you are, and to therefore be seen as legitimate. It doesn’t hurt that the verified account means you get to rub elbows with the blue checkmarks and the Twitter elite.

Basically, you are seeking verification from Twitter, but the process is not as clear as you would like it to be. And, well, that is why we’re here!

Follow the steps listed below and you’ll find yourself on the way to sending your verification form into Twitter in no time.

Step 1- Update your account. Your brand needs to be visible. Your brand should be prominently displayed in your profile photo. If you are your brand, post a great photo of yourself. Your header should be interesting. List your website, your name, and complete your bio.

Step 2- Have your phone number verified. If you are applying for a personal account, you will need a copy of your driver’s license that will be submitted for verification. Your email address will also be verified.

Step 3- If you are applying for a personal account, you will need to add your birthday.

Step 4- Make sure that your account is set to public. (You are going to want to anyway, that is where you get more followers!)

Step 5- Send your verification form to Twitter.

That’s it. The next step is figuring out if you are verified.

How to know if you are verified on Twitter

Well, the first giveaway is the blue badge of honor, the blue checkmark. If that is on your profile, you’ve made it, baby!

But if you don’t see the verification badge just yet, there isn’t much you can do. After you have sent your request for verification, the process ends. Now it’s just a waiting game.

Once you are verified, you will be distinguishable from any account that may be similar to yours, or any parody accounts. Now your chances of being impersonated will diminish.

You will be among the influencers, artists, stars of film, music and television, athletes, and politicians that have also completed the verification process.

You will probably still get a smattering of fake accounts following you, but you should be impressed by the number of quality followers you will gain.

It is important, at this time and from here on out, that you stay safe. Your brand is now verified by Twitter that you are authentic and Twitter has new measures in order to ensure that you are not a bot.

Ensure that you are following security measures so that no one can use your verified status to make claims or pretend to be you. Make sure that you are engaging with your followers, and not just sending mass tweets.

Use your newfound legitimacy as a verified account to make genuine connections with accounts of those who can help you build your brand. Tweet often, but tweet great content, and your follower count will grow organically.