How to Request Verification on TikTok

That coveted blue checkmark next to a TikTok username feels like a key to another level of creator credibility. It signals to the world that you're the real deal. If you've been wondering how to get your own, you've landed in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about requesting verification on TikTok, from the official requirements to the practical steps you can take to build a brand worthy of that checkmark.

What Does Gaining TikTok Verification Actually Mean?

First, let's be clear about what that blue check signifies. Verification on TikTok isn't just about follower numbers or having a viral video, it’s an official badge of authenticity and notability. TikTok uses it to confirm that an account belongs to the well-known person, brand, or entity it claims to represent.

This does a few things:

• Builds Trust: It immediately tells followers and potential brand partners that your account is legitimate, not a fan account, parody, or imposter.
• Enhances Credibility: In a sea of content, the blue check makes your profile stand out and lends authority to your voice and your brand.
• Protects Your Identity: By verifying the real account, TikTok helps prevent impersonation and confusion, directing everyone to the authentic source.

It’s less of a reward for popularity and more of a practical tool for confirming the identity of public figures and organizations to maintain a trustworthy environment on the platform. Understanding this distinction is the first step in positioning yourself for success.

The Official TikTok Verification Roster: Are You Eligible?

TikTok has a set of criteria it uses to evaluate verification requests. While the final decision is up to their team, meeting these basic requirements is non-negotiable. Think of these as the absolute must-haves before you even consider applying.

1. Your Account Must Be Active and Authentic

This is the ground floor. Your account needs to represent a real person, business, or entity. TikTok is looking for signs that your account isn't just a placeholder.

• A Complete Profile: Your account must have a bio, a profile name, a profile photo, and at least one public video. It needs to look real and lived-in.
• Recent Activity: You must have logged into your account within the last six months. Verification is for active members of the community, not dormant accounts.
• Be You: Your account must genuinely be who it says it is. If you're a person, it should be you. If you're a brand, it should be your official brand presence.

2. Your Account Must Be Notable

This is the most subjective - and most challenging - criterion. "Notable" doesn’t just mean you’re popular on TikTok. It means you’re a well-known figure or brand outside of TikTok. TikTok’s team looks for evidence that you're a public figure, celebrity, or established brand, and they do this primarily by checking media sources.

How do they measure notability?

• Multiple News Sources: A huge factor is being featured in reputable, multiple news sources. We're not talking about paid or sponsored content, press releases, or mentions on your own website. TikTok is looking for earned media - articles, features, or significant mentions in well-known publications like national magazines, major news websites, or leading industry journals.
• Credentials Matter: Having a Wikipedia page, a verified presence on other major social platforms (like Instagram, Facebook, or X), or winning prestigious industry awards all contributes to your notability score.
• It's Not About Follower Count: This is a massive misconception. There is no official minimum follower count for verification. A journalist with a few thousand followers who is frequently published in The New York Times is far more likely to get verified than someone with a million followers whose fame exists only on TikTok. Follower count can be a byproduct of notability, but it’s not the primary cause.

3. Your Account Must Be Secure

Security is a must. Your account needs to be protected to maintain its integrity, and TikTok requires this as a prerequisite for verification.

• Verified Email Address: Your account must have an email address that you have access to.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): You absolutely must have 2FA turned on. This shows TikTok that you're taking account security seriously and reduces the risk of your account being compromised after verification, which would be a bad look for everyone.

How to Request Verification on TikTok: The Step-by-Step Process

If you meet the criteria above and believe you're a good candidate, you can request verification directly through the app. Just a heads-up: this feature isn't available to all users. It often appears for accounts that TikTok’s algorithm recognizes as potentially notable, such as those that are growing quickly or receiving significant off-platform media attention.

If the option is available to you, here’s how to find it:

1. Go to Your Profile: Open TikTok and navigate to your main profile page.
2. Open Settings: Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select "Settings and privacy": At the bottom of the menu, tap this option.
4. Go to "Account": This should be the first option on the settings screen.
5. Look for "Verification": If your account is eligible to apply, you will see a "Verification" option here. Tap on it to begin the process. If you don't see it, it means the application feature isn’t currently enabled for your account.
6. Follow the On-Screen Prompts: TikTok will guide you through the application. You will likely be asked to provide:
   • Proof of Identity: This often involves submitting a photo of a government-issued ID like a driver's license or passport to confirm you are who you say you are.
   • Proof of Notability: This is your chance to make your case. You'll need to submit links to credible articles and media features about you or your brand. Prioritize high-authority, well-known publications. A feature in Forbes is infinitely more valuable here than a mention on a local blog.
7. Submit and Wait: Once you’ve submitted your information, the waiting game begins. TikTok’s team will manually review your application, which can take several weeks. You’ll be notified in the app whether your request has been approved or denied.

Building a Verifiable Brand: Pro-Tips That Go Beyond the Button

Simply having the "Verification" button available isn’t a guarantee of success. The real work happens long before you apply. You need to build a brand that is undeniably notable. Here are some strategies to help you get there.

Find Your Niche and Absolutely Dominate It

Vague personas don't get noticed. The most notable creators are known for something specific. Are you the go-to expert on historical fashion, the comedian who makes skits about corporate life, or the artist who creates hyper-realistic pancake art? Identify your unique angle and create content around it relentlessly. Becoming a big fish in a small, well-defined pond is the fastest way to build a reputation and catch the eye of journalists and bigger creators.

Establish a Consistent Content Drumbeat

Sporadic posting signals that you're a hobbyist. A consistent, regular schedule of high-quality content shows that you're a serious creator building a platform. Consistency builds an audience, boosts your visibility through the algorithm, and demonstrates to TikTok that you’re committed for the long haul. This doesn’t mean you have to post three times a day, but finding a sustainable rhythm - whether it's three times a week or once a day - is fundamental to growth.

Get Off-Platform to Get Verified

This is probably the most important piece of advice: your notability needs to exist outside of TikTok. TikTok’s verification team is essentially Googling you. What will they find?

• Pursue Public Relations: Actively pitch yourself to journalists, bloggers, and podcasters in your niche. If you have a unique story, an expert perspective, or data-driven insights, share them. Every media feature is another piece of evidence for your verification application.
• Collaborate Strategically: Partner with established creators on other platforms, especially YouTube. A feature in a video from a well-known YouTuber can expose you to a new audience and give you a powerful piece of third-party validation.
• Speak at Events: Appearing on panels or giving talks at industry conferences - even virtual ones - positions you as an authority and often generates online mention and press coverage.

Maintain a Flawless Track Record

Act like a verified account long before you are one. This means keeping your profile professional, engaging respectfully with your community, and, most importantly, following TikTok's Community Guidelines to the letter. Having your account flagged for violations is a major red flag that can hurt your chances of being taken seriously by the review team. Keep your record clean.

Final Thoughts

Being verified on TikTok is achievable, but it's about playing the long game. It centers on building unmistakable proof of your notability through consistent, high-quality content and external validation, rather than chasing vanity metrics like follower counts. By focusing on creating value, securing media presence, and maintaining a professional and secure account, you position yourself as a clear candidate for that little blue check.

Building a brand worthy of verification demands intense consistency and organization. Planning your content calendar, crafting the right narratives for each platform, and engaging with your community are daily tasks that add up. At Postbase, we built our platform to take the headache out of that process. By scheduling posts, managing all your comments in one inbox, and analyzing what’s working from a single dashboard, we make it easier to maintain that crucial consistent presence, freeing you up to focus on the big-picture strategy - like landing the media features that will ultimately get you verified.