How to Get Gold Verification on Twitter

Thinking about that gold checkmark next to a brand’s name on X (formerly Twitter)? It’s the new gold standard for business verification on the platform, and getting one is a fairly direct process. This guide will walk you through exactly what the gold checkmark is, who it's for, how much it costs, and the step-by-step instructions to get your organization verified.

What Exactly is the Gold Checkmark on X?

The gold checkmark on X is a verification badge reserved exclusively for official business accounts through the platform's "Verified Organizations" program. It replaced the old "legacy" blue check for businesses and serves as a clear, official signal that an account is the authentic presence for a particular brand, non-profit, or organization.

Unlike the well-known blue checkmark, which is available to individual subscribers of X Premium, the gold check is specifically for organizational entities. When an account has a gold checkmark, its profile picture also changes from the traditional circle to a square shape, providing another immediate visual cue that you’re looking at an official business profile.

Essentially, it’s X's way of helping users distinguish between real brands and potential impersonators or fan accounts. In a crowded digital space, that simple gold badge confirms authenticity at a glance.

Gold vs. Blue vs. Grey Checkmarks: What's the Difference?

It can get a little confusing, so here’s a quick breakdown of X's verification system:

• Gold Checkmark: For official business organizations. Comes with a square profile picture.
• Blue Checkmark: For individuals, typically subscribers to X Premium. They maintain the standard circular profile picture.
• Grey Checkmark: Reserved for government accounts and officials, multilateral organizations, and specific public figures tied to the government. This also comes with a circular profile picture.

The system is designed to provide clear visual indicators of account type and authenticity, with the gold checkmark being the most prestigious and authoritative symbol for a business.

The Benefits of Gold Verification for Your Brand

Going through the process to get a gold checkmark isn't just about appearances, it comes with several practical benefits that can significantly impact your brand's presence on the platform.

1. Unmistakable Trust and Credibility

This is the most significant benefit. The gold check and square profile picture instantly communicate to users that your account is the official, legitimate voice of your brand. In an era where misinformation and impersonation are constant threats, this badge cuts through the noise and builds immediate trust with your audience, customers, and partners.

2. Enhanced Brand Protection

Impersonation is a major headache for successful brands. Fake accounts can spread false information, scam customers, or damage your hard-earned reputation. Having a gold checkmark makes it much more difficult for impersonators to gain traction because users can easily identify the authentic account. It acts as a powerful deterrent and a clear point of reference for your audience.

3. Access to Exclusive Organizational Features

Gold verification unlocks the Verified Organizations portal. The standout feature here is the ability to affiliate other X accounts with your organization. This means you can formally link the accounts of your executives, employees, C-suite, spokespeople, or even customer support handles directly to your main brand account.

When an account is affiliated, a small version of your brand’s profile picture appears next to their blue or gold checkmark. This creates a visible network of trust, confirming that an individual is officially connected to your organization. When your CEO tweets, everyone will know it's really them, representing the company.

4. Increased Visibility and Higher Limits

Verified organizations receive significant boosts in tweet visibility and posting limits. X prioritizes content from accounts, meaning your posts are more likely to appear in conversations and search results. You also get relief from standard rate limits, enjoying higher limits for Tweets, DMs, and media uploads, which is invaluable for active, high-volume brands.

Requirements and Cost: Everything to Know Before Applying

Before you jump into the application, it’s important to understand the eligibility requirements and, most importantly, the price tag associated with the program.

Who is Eligible?

The Verified Organizations program is open to businesses and other organizations worldwide. You don't need a certain follower count or level of activity to apply, but you must be a legitimate entity. At its core, you need an X account that clearly represents the organization you want to verify.

Application Requirements

To ensure a smooth process, have the following ready:

• An active X account for your organization. This includes a profile name, bio, profile picture, and header image that align with your brand.
• A link to your official website. Your X profile should link to your website.
• An official organization email address. You must have access to an email address that uses a domain matching your website (e.g., yourname@yourcompany.com). You cannot use personal email addresses like Gmail or Outlook.

The Cost of Gold Verification

This is where many businesses pause. Gold verification is a premium service with a premium price tag.

• The base subscription for Verified Organizations in the United States is $1,000 per month (plus any applicable taxes).
• Adding an affiliated account to your organization costs an additional $50 per month per account (plus tax).

Prices can vary slightly by region, but this gives you a clear idea of the investment required. For large corporations, this is often a small price to pay for brand protection, but for smaller businesses, it's a significant financial commitment.

How to Get the Gold Checkmark: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to apply? The process itself is surprisingly straightforward. Just follow these steps.

Step 1: Go to the Verified Organizations Sign-up Page

First, log into the X account that you want to verify. Then, navigate directly to the application page. You can usually find this by clicking "Verified Organizations" in the sidebar menu on X or by going straight to twitter.com/i/verified-orgs-signup in your browser.

Step 2: Authenticate and Choose Your Account

If you're already logged in, the page will recognize your account. Simply confirm that this is the organization you wish to verify and proceed. You'll be asked to authenticate your identity again to make sure you have control of the account.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Fill in the required information. This is typically very basic and includes verifying your organization’s name, handle, and contact details. Read and agree to the Verified Organizations Subscription Agreement.

Step 4: Enter Your Payment Information

Next, you’ll be prompted to enter your payment details. You’ll need a credit card to subscribe to the monthly plan. This step authorizes the recurring charge of $1,000/month for the main account.

Step 5: Wait for the Review Process

After you submit your application and payment info, your account enters a review queue. The X team will review your account to a) ensure it adheres to the platform's rules and b) verify that it is an authentic, legitimate organization. This process is not instant and can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. You may be asked for additional information to prove your organization's legitimacy during this step.

Step 6: You're Verified! Now Manage Your Organization

Once approved, the gold checkmark and square profile picture will automatically appear on your profile. You’ll also gain access to the new "Verified Organizations" tab in your settings. This is your command center for managing everything related to your verification. From here, you can manage subscription details and begin adding affiliated accounts.

Managing Affiliates: Building Your Team on X

One of the most powerful features unlocked by the gold checkmark is the ability to connect other accounts to your organization. Here’s how it works:

1. Invite from the Portal: From your Verified Organizations dashboard, you can send invitations to any X account you want to affiliate. Just enter their @handle.
2. The Affiliate Accepts: The owner of the invited account will receive a notification to accept the affiliation request.
3. The Badge Appears: Once they accept, their profile will display the affiliation badge - a small circular version of your brand’s logo - next to their own checkmark (blue or gold). Anyone visiting their profile can click on this badge and be taken directly to your primary organizational account.

This is a brilliant way to build a public-facing org chart on the platform, reinforcing the authority and legitimacy of everyone officially speaking for your brand.

Is the Gold Checkmark Worth a Thousand Dollars a Month?

For large brands with global recognition, the answer is an immediate yes. The $1,000/month fee is a marketing expense that provides invaluable brand protection, eliminates customer confusion, and solidifies your official presence. If you're constantly fighting off impersonators, the gold check is not just a status symbol - it's a necessary tool.

For small- to medium-sized businesses, the calculus is more complex. The price is substantial, and you need to weigh it against the tangible threats and benefits your business faces. Ask yourself:

• Is impersonation a frequent problem for us?
• How much value would official verification bring to our customer interactions?
• Could our key leaders benefit from official affiliation badges?

If your social strategy relies heavily on X and your brand has reached a level of recognition where authenticity is constantly questioned, it may be a worthwhile investment. If not, focusing on building trust organically with clear branding and communication might be a more cost-effective approach for now.

Final Thoughts

Acquiring a gold checkmark on X is a clear and direct, albeit costly, way for businesses to certify their authenticity on the platform. By following the application process, organizations can secure their official handle, protect against impersonation, and build a verifiable network of affiliated accounts.

Of course, making that hefty monthly investment in a gold checkmark worthwhile requires more than just the badge. It depends on maintaining a strong, active brand presence that puts that credibility to good use. At Postbase, we built our platform to solve exactly for that. Planning and scheduling all your social content, especially short-form video for platforms like X, Reels, and TikTok, becomes effortless on our visual calendar. We help you create a consistent, high-quality content stream that builds trust, so you can focus on your brand’s message while we reliably handle getting it published, every single time.