How to Apply for TikTok Verification

That coveted blue checkmark next to a TikTok handle is more than just a status symbol, it’s a stamp of authenticity recognized by creators and audiences alike. Getting verified on TikTok is a goal for many, but the path isn't always clear. This guide breaks down exactly how the verification process works, the official criteria you need to meet, and the actionable steps you can take to build a profile that’s ready for that blue badge.

What Exactly is TikTok Verification?

First things first, let’s clear up a common misconception. The TikTok verification badge is not an award for popularity or a reward for viral content. At its core, verification confirms authenticity. It’s TikTok’s way of letting users know that an account genuinely belongs to the public figure, celebrity, organization, or brand it claims to represent. It’s a tool for building trust and separating official accounts from fan pages, impersonators, or parody accounts.

While it doesn't unlock secret features, the benefits are significant:

• Increased Credibility and Trust: Followers know they're interacting with the real deal, which is especially important for brands and public figures sharing information.
• Brand Protection: It distinguishes your official profile from the countless copycat or fan accounts that can cause confusion.
• Perceived Authority: While not its main purpose, the blue check does signal a level of notability and can help you stand out in a crowded space.

The Official TikTok Verification Criteria: What You Must Have

TikTok doesn't keep its verification criteria a secret. The platform looks for accounts that are notable, authentic, and active. To even be considered for verification, your account must meet a baseline set of requirements. Let's walk through each one so you know exactly what TikTok is looking for.

1. Authentic

This is non-negotiable. Your account must represent a real person, business, or entity. TikTok will require you to prove this during the application process.

• For Individuals: You'll likely need to submit a government-issued ID, like a driver's license or passport.
• For Businesses or Organizations: You might need to provide official documents like tax filings, articles of incorporation, or a trademark registration.

2. Unique

The account must be the singular, unique presence of the individual or business it represents. TikTok typically only verifies one account per person or company, with the main exception being language-specific accounts. For example, a global brand might have a verified English-language account and another verified Spanish-language account. General interest accounts (like "cutepuppyvideos") are not eligible for verification.

3. Active

To be considered, your account must have been logged into within the last six months. However, this is just the bare minimum technical requirement. In reality, TikTok wants to see a *truly* active presence. A "verifiable" account is one that is consistently producing content, engaging with its community, and contributing to the TikTok ecosystem. Think of consistent posting over weeks and months, not just logging in to keep the lights on.

4. Complete

A bare-bones profile won't cut it. Your account needs to be public and have a complete profile, which includes:

• A bio.
• A profile name.
• A profile photo.
• At least one uploaded video.

Again, this is the minimum. To truly stand out, your profile should be optimized and professional. It should clearly state who you are and what you do, and the one video should be high-quality and representative of your brand or content strategy.

5. Secure

Security is a must for high-profile accounts. TikTok requires that your account have multi-factor authentication (MFA) enabled with a verified email address. This is a very simple but important step to protect your account from being compromised. If you don't have this set up, do it now - it's good practice regardless of verification.

6. Notable

This is the most subjective and often the most challenging criterion to meet. TikTok wants to verify accounts that represent well-known figures or brands. To do this, they review an applicant's presence *outside* of TikTok. They look for evidence that you've been featured in multiple, reputable news sources.

Critically, paid or sponsored media doesn't count. This means press releases, advertorials, and sponsored blog posts won't help you. Your media features must be organic, from legitimate publications, TV segments, or established online news sites. Getting verified on other social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or X can also contribute to your case for notability, but it isn't a guarantee of approval on TikTok.

How to Apply for Verification: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you believe you meet all of the criteria above, especially the notability requirement, you can apply for verification directly within the app. Here’s how to do it:

1. From the TikTok app, go to your Profile page.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select "Settings and privacy" from the bottom of the screen.
4. Tap on "Account."
5. Tap on "Verification." You will see two options: Business verification and Personal verification. Choose what's best for you.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to fill out the application, which will include confirming your identity and providing evidence of your notability (like links to news articles).

A quick note: If you don't see the "Verification" option in your settings, it usually means your account isn't yet on TikTok's radar as a potential candidate. In this case, applying wouldn't be successful anyway. The best course of action is to focus on strengthening your profile using the strategies below and checking back later.

How a Talent Agency or Manager Can Help

For established digital creators, influencers, or entrepreneurs seeking verification on social media, working with a talent agency can be extremely beneficial. Managers or agents from reputable agencies build relationships directly with representatives at social networks like TikTok. Not only that, but they can give you valuable feedback to help you meet the criteria listed above to build a brand presence and reach notability for verification.

Building a Verifiable Brand Presence (Beyond the Application Form)

Sending in the application is the easy part. The real work is building an account that TikTok *wants* to verify. Simply having a great idea or follower count isn't enough, you must build a strong, recognizable brand. Here's how to focus your efforts.

Find Your Niche and Become the Go-To Authority

Verified accounts often belong to people who are known for *something*. Pick a niche and own it. Whether you're a historian who debunks myths, a dermatologist who rates skincare routines, or a chef who specializes in 60-second meals, consistency is what builds authority. Your bio and your content should immediately tell a new visitor what you're all about, encouraging them to follow you for your specific expertise.

Create High-Quality Content... Consistently

One viral video is great, but a pattern of strong performance is what signals a notable creator. Aim for a content schedule you can stick to. Analyze what works. Are your tutorials getting more shares? Do your comedy sketches get more comments? Double down on successful formats. High engagement rates (likes, comments, shares, and saves relative to your views) show TikTok that you have an active and interested community that values your content.

Get Featured in the Press (The Right Way)

This is often a make-or-break factor for the "notable" requirement. You need to earn media coverage. Instead of paying for shoutouts, try these tactics:

• Become a Source: Sign up for services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) where journalists look for experts to quote. Position yourself as an authority in your niche.
• Create Newsworthy Content: Do something that reporters would want to cover. This could be conducting a unique experiment, releasing an interesting data report from a survey, or launching a socially conscious campaign.
• Collaborate: Partner with larger, already-verified creators. Their community, and sometimes press, takes notice of who they associate with.

Grow Your Brand Off of TikTok

TikTok doesn't operate in a vacuum. It wants to verify creators who are considered public figures in a broader sense.

• Get verified on other platforms like Instagram, X, or Facebook first.
• Leverage your TikTok content and create longer versions on your YouTube channel.
• Appear as a guest on podcasts relevant to your brand.

Foster a Real Community

A real sense of creator-follower and inner-community connection can take your TikTok profile to a whole different level.

• Make engagement worth your audience's time by getting them involved in the process. Ask relevant questions related to recent news or trends in your niche to build organic comment sections that your followers want to come back to.
• Run contests and challenges regularly on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis if possible so your page isn't just about self-promotion. It should also have giveaways to appreciate viewer or customer brand loyalty, even for small-scale creators or businesses.

These tactics give people reasons to return to your channel and ultimately gain follower growth and recognition from TikTok for all the right reasons.

Final Thoughts

Securing the blue checkmark on TikTok is about methodically building a legitimate, noteworthy presence both on and off the platform. Focus on delivering consistent value, establishing your expertise, proving your notability through external validation, and actively fostering your community. The application itself is merely the final step in a much longer journey of creating a brand worth recognizing.

To build that kind of memorable online brand, your content strategy needs to be solid and executed consistently. As social media managers ourselves, we know how hectic it can be to keep track of content calendars and audience engagement on various social media platforms, especially when you’re building brand presence from the ground up without an agency. That’s why we built Postbase, our social media management platform designed for the content creator in mind. Our post scheduling, content creation, and centralized inbox features for platforms like TikTok and Reels make content marketing feel easier - so you can build an account presence TikTok notices without guessing where and what to do next.