How to Authenticate a Twitter Account

Getting that blue checkmark next to your name on X (formerly Twitter) has shifted from an elusive symbol of notability to a more accessible feature for creators, professionals, and brands. While it's no longer a mysterious, approval-based process, understanding the new rules is essential for getting and keeping it. This guide breaks down exactly what X Verification is today, who qualifies, and the precise steps to get your own account authenticated.

What Exactly is X Verification Now?

Gone are the days of the old "legacy" blue check, which was granted by Twitter based on an opaque definition of "notable" and "authentic." Today, verification is tied directly to a paid subscription service. It's less about who you are and more about confirming you're a real, active user who has subscribed to one of their premium plans. The primary goal of the current system is to reduce spam and impersonation by adding a layer of identity verification.

The platform now has a color-coded system to differentiate account types, which can be a bit confusing at first glance. Here's a simple breakdown:

• Blue Checkmark: This is for individual accounts. Anyone who subscribes to X Premium (or Premium+) and meets the eligibility criteria can get a blue check. This is the one most creators, freelancers, and personal brands will be aiming for.
• Gold Checkmark: This checkmark is reserved for official business accounts through the "Verified Organizations" subscription. It signifies that the account is run by a legitimate company or brand.
• Grey Checkmark: This is for government accounts, multilateral organizations (like the UN or WHO), and certain officials. It confirms the account is an official governmental entity.

For the purpose of this guide, we'll focus primarily on the Blue Checkmark, as it's the most common goal for individuals reading this.

Are You Eligible? Understanding the Requirements for a Blue Check

While paying for a subscription is the first step, it's not the only one. X still has a set of eligibility criteria to ensure a baseline of authenticity and security. Your account will automatically be reviewed against these rules when you subscribe. Failure to meet them means you pay for the premium features but won't see the blue check appear.

Before you subscribe, make sure your account meets these non-negotiable standards:

The Basic Prerequisite

An Active X Premium Subscription: The blue check is a feature of the paid plans. You must be subscribed to either the Premium or Premium+ tier. The Basic tier does not include a checkmark.

Core Eligibility Criteria

X automatically checks for the following when you subscribe. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist.

• Complete Profile: Your account must have both a display name and a profile picture. Leaving either of these blank is an instant disqualification.
• Active Use: Your account must show signs of recent activity. Specifically, you must have logged in and used the account at some point in the last 30 days.
• Account Security & Age: Your account must be more than 30 days old and have a confirmed phone number linked to it. This is a critical step many people miss. Without a verified phone number, you won't get a checkmark.
• No Deception or Platform Manipulation: The account must not show any signs of being misleading or spammy. This means:
  • No Recent Changes: You haven't recently changed your profile photo, display name, or username/handle (@). If you make changes right before or after subscribing, your checkmark will be delayed or temporarily removed until X can re-review the profile.
  • Authentic Identity: Your profile should not be engaging in impersonation of any individual or organization. Parody and fan accounts must clearly state so in their name or bio.
  • Clean Record: Your account should not have any recent history of engaging in spam, scams, or platform manipulation outlined in X's terms of service.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Authenticate Your Account

The process is much more straightforward now than it used to be. You're not submitting an "application" in the traditional sense, you're simply subscribing to a service, which then triggers a review. Here's how to do it, preferably from the mobile app where the process is most streamlined.

Step 1: Subscribe to a Qualifying X Premium Tier

First, you need to sign up for the service that includes the checkmark.

1. Open the X app on your phone.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner to open the main menu.
3. Select the "Premium" option from the list.
4. You'll be presented with the available subscription tiers. Be sure to choose either "Premium" or "Premium+", as the Basic plan does not offer a blue check. Select whether you want to pay annually (at a discount) or monthly.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the payment through your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store).

Pro Tip: Subscribing on the web is often slightly cheaper than subscribing through the mobile apps, as it avoids the fees charged by Apple and Google.

Step 2: The Review Process

This is the part where you wait. Once your payment is confirmed, X initiates an automated review of your account against all the eligibility criteria we just covered (complete profile, verified phone number, no recent changes, etc.).

There is no form to fill out, no essay to write, and no links to submit. The review is passive. If your account is in good standing and meets all the requirements, your blue checkmark will typically appear within a few hours to a couple of days.

If the checkmark doesn't appear after 72 hours, double-check that you've met every single one of the eligibility requirements. The most common issue is a missing phone number that's been confirmed via SMS.

Step 3: What to Know After You're Verified

Getting your blue check is great, but keeping it requires some thought. The biggest thing to be aware of is the "lock-in" effect on your profile details.

Heads Up: If you change your profile picture, display name, or username (@handle) after receiving the checkmark, X will temporarily hide the checkmark from your profile. It will reappear once your account has been re-reviewed to ensure the new information doesn't violate any rules. This review can take a few days, so plan any re-branding efforts accordingly. Don't change your display name for fun, or you'll lose the check until it's reviewed again.

What About Organizations? (Gold & Grey Checks)

If you're running a business account, the blue check might not be what you're looking for. The Gold Checkmark, offered through the Verified Organizations program, is designed specifically for companies, non-profits, and other official brands. You apply through a separate part of the X platform, and the subscription is significantly more expensive than X Premium.

The primary benefit of a Gold Check is brand authentication and the ability to "affiliate" other accounts. For example, a media company can affiliate the accounts of its journalists, who would then display a small version of the company's profile picture next to their own checkmark, signaling their connection.

The Grey Checkmark is automatically applied to qualifying government and multilateral organization accounts, this isn't something you can typically apply for unless you represent such an entity, in which case you would go through official X support channels.

Pro Tips for a Smooth Process and Building Real Authority

Getting the checkmark is one thing, but making it mean something is another. Here's how to do both effectively.

Before You Subscribe

• Finalize Your Profile Now. Decide on the display name, @username, and profile picture you want to stick with for a while. Making changes right after subscribing will only cause delays.
• Write a Clear, Value-Driven Bio. Your bio should instantly tell people who you are and why they should follow you. The check adds legitimacy, but the bio delivers the pitch.
• Pin a High-Value Post. Pin your best-performing or most representative tweet to the top of your profile. It's the first piece of content visitors will see, so make it a good one.

Protecting and Leveraging Your New Status

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Verified accounts are prime targets for hackers. Protect your account by setting up 2FA immediately. This should be non-negotiable for anyone serious about their online presence.
• Don't Let the Check Be the Only Thing of Value. The blue check is a tool, not the end goal. True authority comes from your content, your voice, and your engagement. Use your new visibility boost to share valuable insights, connect with your audience, and participate in relevant conversations.
• Establish a Consistent Cadence. Authenticity on social media is built through consistency. Decide on a realistic posting schedule and stick to it. Whether it's once a day or 10 times a day, having a reliable presence shows your audience you're active and engaged.

Final Thoughts

Getting your X account authenticated is much more direct than it was in the past, it's largely a subscription that requires you to meet clear, public standards for profile completeness, longevity, and security. By preparing your account before you subscribe, you can earn that blue check quickly and increase your credibility on the platform.

Once you're verified, maintaining that presence comes down to consistently showing up with great content and engaging with your growing community. As a team that deeply understands the grind of social media management, we built Postbase to simplify that workflow. Our tool gives you a visual calendar to plan your amazing content, rock-solid scheduling for every platform - including a first-class experience for video - and a single inbox for all your comments and DMs. We keep your accounts connected reliably so you can focus on building that brand, not fighting with your tools.