How to Get a Blue Tick on Twitter

That little blue checkmark next to a person's name on X (formerly Twitter) has long been a symbol of credibility and importance. The process for getting one has changed dramatically, and this guide will walk you through exactly how it works today. We'll cover the new subscription-based method, what happened to the old system, and the practical steps you can take to build the kind of online presence that makes the blue tick worthwhile.

What Exactly Is the Blue Tick Now?

Historically, the blue checkmark was a badge awarded by Twitter to accounts of public interest that were proven to be authentic. It was a signpost that said, "This account is who it claims to be." It was rare, exclusive, and you had to apply for it by proving you were "notable." Today, things are a lot different. There are now two distinct types of blue checkmarks you might see on the platform.

1. The 'Legacy' Verified Account: These are the accounts that were verified under the old notability criteria before the big changes in late 2022. While X is no longer actively awarding these in the same way, many public figures, journalists, and government entities still have them. They signify historical authenticity.

2. The X Premium Subscriber: This is the most common way to get a blue checkmark now. It's available to any user who pays for an X Premium (formerly known as Twitter Blue) subscription and meets a set of basic eligibility criteria. It indicates that an account is subscribed to the premium service and has a verified phone number.

So, why bother? Even in its new form, the blue tick offers several benefits. It can still boost visibility, lend an air of seriousness to your account, and unlock a suite of powerful features exclusive to paying subscribers, like editing posts, writing longer posts, and seeing fewer ads.

How to Get Verified: The X Premium Subscription Method

For almost everyone looking for a blue checkmark today, the path is through a paid X Premium subscription. The process is straightforward, but your account must meet a few requirements before the badge will appear.

Step 1: Get Your Account in Order First

Before you even think about subscribing, make sure your profile meets X's basic requirements for verification. Your account must be:

• Complete: You need a display name and a profile picture.
• Active: You must have been active on the platform in the last 30 days. Don’t just create an account and immediately apply.
• Secure: Your account must have a confirmed phone number. This is non-negotiable and part of the verification process.
• Legitimate: Your account must be older than 30 days and have no recent changes to your profile photo, display name, or username (@handle). It also cannot be misleading or deceptive, meaning no impersonating people or brands. Nor can it show signs of engaging in platform manipulation or spam.

Think of this as setting the foundation. An F1 car can't race with flat tires. Likewise, an incomplete, spammy, or brand-new profile won’t get verified, even if you’re willing to pay for it.

Step 2: Sign Up for X Premium

Once your account is in compliance, it's time to subscribe. The steps are simple and can be done from either a desktop browser or the mobile app.

1. Navigate to the "Premium" tab. On desktop, this is on the left-hand menu. On mobile, tap your profile picture to open the main menu, and you'll see "Premium" listed there.
2. Choose your plan. X typically offers different tiers (like Premium and Premium+). The blue checkmark is included with all paid tiers, but higher tiers offer more features, like a completely ad-free experience.
3. Select your billing cycle (monthly or annual) and complete the payment process. Annual plans often come with a discount.
4. Submit for review. After your payment is processed, X will review your account to make sure it meets the eligibility criteria listed in Step 1.

This review process is usually quick, often taking just a day or two. If everything checks out, the blue badge will automatically appear on your profile. If not, you’ll be notified why you weren't approved, and you can correct the issue and re-apply.

What Happens After You Get the Tick? Important Rules to Know

Getting the tick isn't the end of the story. You can lose it! The checkmark will be temporarily hidden if you change your profile photo, display name, or username (@handle) until X re-verifies that your account still meets the requirements. Furthermore, if your account is found to be in violation of X’s Terms of Service, such as engaging in spam or platform manipulation, the checkmark may be removed permanently without a refund.

Building Real Authority: Think Beyond the Badge

Paying for a checkmark is easy, but building the *authority* the checkmark used to represent takes real work. The most successful accounts on X don't just have a blue badge, they have a loyal following, consistent engagement, and a reputation for providing value. Whether you pay for the tick or not, focusing on these principles is how you build a powerful brand.

Optimize Your Profile for Trust

Your profile is your digital handshake. It’s the first thing people see when they decide whether or not to follow you. Make it count.

• High-Quality Profile Picture: A clear headshot for a personal brand or a clean logo for a business. Avoid blurry or generic images.
• A Powerful Bio: In 160 characters, tell people exactly who you are, what you do, and what value you provide. Use keywords relevant to your niche so people can find you via search.
• Link in Bio: Always include a link. This can be to your website, your latest blog post, a link hub, or another social profile you want to promote. It’s a key piece of digital real estate.
• Location & Header Image: Fill out your location to add context, and use the header image to showcase your brand personality, latest product, or a call-to-action.

Develop a Consistent Content Strategy

An empty profile with a blue tick is just a glorified subscription receipt. Your value lies in what you post. To build an audience, you need to be consistent.

• Find Your Niche: Don't try to be everything to everyone. Are you an expert in social media marketing, SaaS, home gardening, or indie video games? Focus your content on 2-3 core topics and become the go-to resource for them.
• Share Value, Not Just Promotions: Use the 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should be helpful, entertaining, or engaging for your audience. The remaining 20% can be self-promotional. Posts might include insightful threads, sharing relevant industry news, asking community questions, or posting behind-the-scenes content.
• Embrace Different Formats: X isn't just for 280-character text posts. Use polls to drive engagement, GIFs and memes to show personality, professionally shot images to showcase products, and videos to capture attention. Long-form posts (threads) are especially powerful for establishing expertise on a topic.

Engage Authentically, Not as a Robot

Social media is a two-way conversation. If you’re just broadcasting your own content, you’re missing the point. Genuine engagement is what builds community and trust.

• Reply to Comments & Mentions: When someone takes the time to reply to your post, acknowledge them! Answering questions and liking replies shows you’re listening and fosters a welcoming environment.
• Join Existing Conversations: Use X's search function to find people talking about your niche. Add thoughtful replies to their posts. Don't just drop a link to your website, offer real insight that adds to the conversation.
• Connect with Peers: Follow and interact with other leaders in your industry. Share their content (with credit), tag them in relevant discussions, and build relationships. Your network is key to amplifying your message.

Final Thoughts

Getting a blue tick on X has shifted from a complex challenge of proving notability to a straightforward subscription process. By ensuring your account is complete, active, and secure, you can sign up for X Premium and get the checkmark in just a few days. However, the real goal shouldn't just be the badge itself, but rather building the authentic, authoritative presence that the original verification system was meant to signal.

Building the kind of active, consistent presence that commands respect takes a solid content strategy and a lot of planning. As we built Postbase, we focused on making that process simpler and more visual. Our calendar helps you map out your X content - from single posts to complex threads - so you can see your entire strategy at a glance and stay consistent. By scheduling your content ahead of time, we've found it frees you up to spend more time on what really matters: genuine engagement, which is the ultimate key to growing your influence on any platform.