How to Get Verified on Twitter

Getting that blue checkmark on Twitter used to be an elusive status symbol, but the process has completely changed. This guide breaks down exactly how verification works today, provides a step-by-step walkthrough to get your own blue check, and shares what you need to do to build real authority on the platform, with or without it.

What Verification on X Means Today: A Whole New System

First, it's important to understand that the old system is gone. Before 2023, verification was granted by Twitter to accounts it deemed "authentic, notable, and active." You had to be a public figure, a journalist, a big brand, or another entity of public interest to even have a chance. That application process has been completely replaced.

Today, verification is primarily tied to a paid subscription called X Premium (formerly known as Twitter Blue). While the goal is still to signal authenticity, the barrier to entry has shifted from notability to a monthly fee.

The Three (Yes, Three) Types of Checkmarks

When you browse X now, you’ll see a few different badges. Understanding them is the first step to figuring out what's right for you.

• 🔵 Blue Checkmark: This is the most common and indicates that an account has an active subscription to X Premium and has met the platform's eligibility criteria. It's available to individual users and creators.
• 🟡 Gold Checkmark: This badge is for official business accounts through a program called Verified Organizations. It signifies that the account is an official corporate entity. These high-priced subscriptions also allow the main account to affiliate other accounts (like employees or sister brands) with a blue check and a small company icon beside it.
• ⚪ Gray Checkmark: Reserved for government or multilateral organization accounts, this checkmark indicates official representation of a government body, a head of state, or an elected official.

For most personal brands, creators, marketers, and influencers, the blue checkmark is the one to aim for. The rest of this guide will focus on how you can get it.

How to Get Verified on Twitter (X): Your Step-by-Step Guide

Securing the blue checkmark is now a straightforward process rooted in subscribing to X Premium. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before you even think about paying, make sure your account is in good standing. X won't grant anyone a premium subscription or a checkmark if the basics aren't covered. Your account must be:

• Complete: You need a display name and a profile picture. An empty profile is a non-starter.
• Active: Your account must have been active in the last 30 days. No long dormant accounts will qualify.
• Secure: Your account needs to be more than 30 days old and have a confirmed phone number. This is a key step to prevent spam and bot accounts from easily getting verified.
• Non-Deceptive: Your account must have no recent changes to your profile photo, display name, or username (@handle). It also cannot have any signs of being misleading or engaging in platform manipulation and spam.

If you recently changed your profile handle or photo, you might have to wait a few days before the option to subscribe even appears. The platform temporarily locks premium features after these changes to curb impersonation.

Step 2: Sign Up for X Premium

Once you’ve confirmed your account meets the criteria, it’s time to subscribe. The process is simple, whether you're on a desktop or mobile device.

On Desktop:

1. Go to x.com and log into your account.
2. In the left-hand navigation menu, click on the "More" (...) icon.
3. From the pop-up menu, select "Premium." You might also see "Premium" listed directly in the main navigation bar.
4. You'll be presented with subscription options. X offers a few different tiers, like Basic, Premium, and Premium+. The blue checkmark is included starting with the "Premium" tier. Choose the plan that best fits your needs and budget.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your payment.

On iOS or Android:

1. Open the X app and tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner to open the side menu.
2. Tap on "Premium."
3. Select your desired subscription tier (Premium or Premium+ to get the checkmark).
4. The payment will be processed through the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

Pro Tip: Subscribing on the web is often slightly cheaper than subscribing through the mobile apps, as Apple and Google take a percentage of in-app purchases.

Step 3: The Review Process

After you subscribe, there's a short review period. X will check your account to make sure it complies with all the eligibility rules mentioned in Step 1. They're looking for authenticity and adherence to the terms of service.

As long as your account is legitimate and you have everything in order, the blue checkmark will appear on your profile once the review is complete. This usually happens within a few days.

The checkmark will remain on your account as long as your subscription is active and you continue to follow X's rules. If you violate their terms, particularly around impersonation, X may remove your badge even if your subscription is active.

What You Get With Verification (It's More Than Just a Checkmark)

While the blue badge is the most visible perk, an X Premium subscription comes with a suite of features designed to enhance the experience for creators and power users.

• Edit Post: Finally, the feature everyone wanted. You can edit your posts for up to one hour after publishing.
• Longer Posts & 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).
• Undo Post: A small window of time (up to 60 seconds) to retract a post before it's live for everyone to see. Great for catching last-minute typos.
• Prioritized Rankings: Your replies get a slight boost in visibility in conversations, and your account will rank higher in search results.
• Fewer Ads: See approximately 50% fewer ads in your For You and Following timelines.
• Creator Hub: Access tools to monetize your content, including subscriptions and ad revenue sharing (if you meet the eligibility criteria).

These features give you more creative freedom and tools to build your brand and engage with your community.

Building Legitimacy Beyond the Blue Badge

Getting a blue checkmark is easier than ever, which also means it no longer carries the same weight of "notability" it once did. The checkmark signals you're a real person who paid for a subscription, but it doesn't automatically make your account an authority.

True credibility comes from how you use the platform. Here are a few strategies to build an authoritative presence on X:

1. Optimize Your Profile for Trust

Your profile is your digital handshake. Make it count.

• Professional Profile Picture & Header: Use a clear, high-quality headshot or brand logo. Your header image should reflect your niche, brand, or an important campaign.
• A Bio That Sells: Don't just list your job title. Your bio should clearly state who you are, what you do, who you help, and what people can expect from your posts. Add relevant keywords and a link to your website or primary project.
• Pin a High-Value Post: Your pinned post is the first thing visitors see. Use it to showcase your best work, a popular thread, a link to your newsletter, or a major announcement.

2. Create a Consistent and Valuable Content Strategy

This is where the real work of brand-building happens. A blue check on a profile with poor content is meaningless. Focus on providing value to your target audience. Your content should aim to be:

• Educational: Teach your audience something new. Share your expertise in threads, break down complex topics, and offer practical tips.
• Entertaining: Don't be afraid to show your personality. Share memes, behind-the-scenes content, and relatable stories that connect with your followers on a human level.
• Engaging: Ask questions, run polls, and reply to comments. The purpose of social media isn’t just to broadcast, it’s to build a community. Show up for yours every day.

Consistency is everything. Appearing in your followers' feeds regularly keeps you top-of-mind and signals that your account is a reliable source of information or entertainment.

3. Engage Authentically

Social media is a two-way street. Don’t just post and ghost. Set aside time each day to:

• Reply to Comments and DMs: Acknowledging a comment or question not only reinforces your relationship with that follower, but also shows potential followers you are active and available.
• Join Conversations: Find key conversations in your niche and add thoughtful replies. This is one of the fastest ways to get discovered by new, relevant audiences. Don't spam, add real value.
• Support Other Creators: Retweet, quote, and react to content from others in your industry. This builds goodwill and positions you as a participant - not just a self-promoter - in your community.

Final Thoughts

Getting verified on X today is a simple subscription process that’s open to nearly everyone, a big change from the platform's more exclusive past. While the blue check offers useful subscriber perks, its true value now comes from pairing it with a strong content strategy that builds genuine trust and credibility.

Building that kind of authority starts with a plan. You must consistently show up with valuable conversations and content that draws your audience's attention. This is exactly why we built Postbase to make a real difference. With our visual calendar, you can map out your content weeks in advance, ensuring you never miss a beat. By creating everything once and scheduling it across all your platforms, we help you stay consistent without sacrificing quality - giving you more time to engage and build the authentic presence a blue check is meant to represent.