How to Apply for Twitter Verification

Chasing that little blue checkmark on X, formerly Twitter, can feel like a moving target. What once was a symbol of notability has completely changed into something new. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, A-to-Z breakdown of how to get verified on X today. We'll walk through the current requirements, the step-by-step application process, and what the coveted blue check actually means for your account in this new era.

Verification on X: What's Changed?

In the past, getting verified on Twitter was an almost mythical process. It was reserved for public figures, journalists, major brands, and individuals deemed "notable" by Twitter’s internal team. The criteria were vague, the application process was often closed, and approvals felt inconsistent. It was all about proving you were a significant public interest account.

Today, that's completely changed. The blue checkmark is no longer about notability, it's about authentication. Essentially, the blue check now signifies that an account has an active subscription to X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue) and meets a basic set of eligibility criteria to prove they are who they say they are. This shift makes verification accessible to almost everyone, from content creators to small business owners and everyday users who want the added features.

Beyond the blue check that individuals typically seek, X has also introduced two other types of verification badges:

• Gold Checkmark: This is for official business accounts through a program called Verified Organizations. It shows the account is an official corporate entity.
• Grey Checkmark: This badge is for government institutions, officials, and multilateral organizations, confirming their official status.

For most brands, creators, and individuals, however, the blue checkmark is the goal, and it’s now tied directly to an X Premium subscription.

Who is Eligible for a Blue Checkmark?

Since verification is now subscription-based, the barriers to entry are much lower. However, X still has a set of eligibility requirements your account must meet to get and keep the checkmark. X’s review process is designed to prevent spam and impersonation, ensuring the checkmark maintains its core function of authenticating identity.

Core Eligibility Checklist:

Before you even click "subscribe," make sure your profile is in good shape. Your account must meet the following criteria:

• Complete Profile: You must have a display name and a profile picture uploaded. An empty profile is an immediate red flag.
• Active Use: Your account must have been active within the last 30 days. You can’t just create an account and immediately apply.
• Age and Security: Your account must be more than 30 days old and have a confirmed phone number linked to it. This is a basic security and anti-spam measure.
• No Signs of Deception: Your account cannot have made recent changes to its profile photo, display name, or username (@handle). It also must not show signs of being misleading or impersonating someone else. After subscribing, you temporarily can’t change these assets until the review is complete, or you’ll lose the checkmark.
• No Platform Manipulation: Your account can’t show signs of engaging in platform manipulation or spam, like buying followers or aggressively sending unsolicited replies.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Verified on X

If you've checked off the eligibility requirements above, you’re ready to go. The process is straightforward and can be completed in minutes. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Get Your Profile Ready for Review

First impressions matter, especially when a platform is reviewing you for authenticity. Even though the 'notability' requirement is gone, a professional and complete profile makes the process smoother and builds trust with your audience.

• Optimize Your Profile Picture: For a personal brand or creator, use a clear, professional headshot. Your face should be visible and easily recognizable. For a business, your company logo is the perfect choice. Avoid low-resolution images or busy photos.
• Craft a Killer Bio: Your bio has 160 characters to tell the world who you are and what you do. Be clear and direct. For a professional, this could be your job title and company. For a brand, it’s your value proposition. Include a relevant keyword or two.
• Set a Location and Link: Fill out the location field to add more context. Most importantly, add a link to your website, blog, portfolio, or primary landing page. This is a strong signal of legitimacy.
• Clean Up Your Feed: While not a formal requirement, it’s good practice to ensure your recent posts align with your brand identity and adhere to X’s rules. Delete any old, spammy, or off-brand posts.

Remember, the goal is to look like a real, active, and authentic entity. If your profile looks abandoned or spammy, you might run into issues.

Step 2: Sign Up for X Premium

With your profile polished, it’s time to subscribe. The blue checkmark is bundled with the Premium and Premium+ tiers of X Premium.

How to Subscribe on Web:

1. On the left-hand navigation menu of your X homepage, click on Premium.
2. A pop-up will appear prompting you to authenticate it’s you.
3. Next, you'll see a screen to choose between "I am an individual" or "I am an organization." Most people will choose I am an individual.
4. Choose your subscription plan. The blue checkmark is included in the Premium (8 EUR/month) and Premium+ (16 EUR/month) tiers. The Basic plan does not include a checkmark.
5. Enter your payment information and confirm your subscription.

How to Subscribe on Mobile (iOS or Android):

1. Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner of the app.
2. From the menu, tap on Premium.
3. Choose your preferred tier (Premium or Premium+). Payments on mobile are processed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, so the price might be slightly higher to account for their fees.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your purchase through the respective app store.

Step 3: Wait for the Official Review

Subscribing is not the final step! Once you’ve paid, X will review your account to make sure it meets all the eligibility criteria we discussed earlier. You won’t get the blue checkmark instantly.

During this review period, resist the urge to change your profile picture, display name, or @handle. Any changes will reset the review process and can cause significant delays. Once your account is reviewed and approved, the blue checkmark will appear next to your username.

The Benefits of X Verification (Beyond the Badge)

The blue check itself is a visual cue of authenticity, but the real value lies in the suite of features that come with an X Premium subscription. These tools are designed to give creators and power users a better experience on the platform.

Key Premium-Only Features:

• Edit Post: This is a game-changer. You get a short window (up to 1 hour) to fix typos, tag the wrong account, or rephrase a sentence after posting.
• Longer Posts and Videos: Break free from the old character limit. You can write posts up to 25,000 characters and upload much longer videos (up to 3 hours).
• Prioritized Rankings: Your replies get a slight boost in visibility, appearing higher in conversations. This helps your comments get noticed on popular posts.
• Text Formatting: Add flair to your posts with bold and italic text to make key points stand out.
• Reduced Ads: Premium subscribers see approximately 50-100% fewer ads in their For You and Following feeds, creating a cleaner reading experience.
• Creator Hub: Get access to monetization features, allowing you to earn money from your content and get paid for your popular posts through ad revenue sharing.

Common Reasons for Verification Rejection or Loss

While the process is more accessible now, it's not foolproof. The review team can deny or revoke a blue checkmark if your account violates the rules. Be mindful of these common slip-ups:

• Profile Violations: This includes using spammy profile photos, setting a misleading display name, or operating an impersonation account.
• Post-Verification Changes: If you get verified and then immediately change your display name or profile picture to something deceptive, X will likely remove the checkmark.
• Platform Manipulation: Engaging in spam, buying engagement, or violating other X Rules will put your verified status at risk.
• Identity Issues: If X is unable to confirm your phone number or believes the account ownership is suspicious, your application may not be approved.

The golden rule is simple: be authentic, be active, and follow the platform's rules. The blue checkmark is designed to reward that.

Final Thoughts

Getting verified on X is no longer a cryptic process for the elite. It’s now a clear, subscription-based system available to anyone who wants to authenticate their identity and unlock powerful features for creating and engaging with content. By preparing your profile, choosing the right subscription tier, and maintaining an authentic presence, you can easily get the blue check.

Once you’re verified, consistency is what will help you make the most of those new features and boosted visibility. This is where planning your content becomes so important, as an active, verified account builds authority faster. We built Postbase for this exact reason - to help creators and brands manage their social content from a simple, visual calendar without any fuss. Keeping your X feed full of quality content alongside your other channels has never been easier.