Twitter is finally letting everyone apply for verification; here’s how it works

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Twitter is finally relaunching its public verification program after 4 years of suspension. The program was created to allow anyone to apply for the highly coveted Twitter blue checkmark.

The launch also comes with the introduction of new criteria for applying and guidelines for accounts that have been verified.

Requirements for verification

The revamped criteria for verification includes having an account of public interest that falls under one of six different types of categorizations.

Here are the six categories of accounts that qualify for verification:

  • Government
  • Companies, brands and organizations
  • News organizations and journalists
  • Entertainment
  • Sports and gaming
  • Activists, organizers, and other influential individuals

Twitter says it plans to add more categories including scientists, academics, and religious leaders later this year

Twitter is Finally Letting Anyone Apply For Verification; Here's How

In addition, the account must be complete – meaning you have a profile name, a profile image and either a confirmed email address or phone number. The account must have been active within the last six months and have a record of adherence to the Twitter Rules.

How to Apply

To apply for Twitter blue tick, you have to go through three stages. The first is to start the application by selecting the verification application directly in the Account Settings tab.

After selecting it, an “Tell us who you are “ page will open where you will select the one out of the above category you fall into. After that, you will be directed to “Identity Verification” where you will enter details of a government-issued ID, official e-mail and official website.

Twitter is Finally Letting Anyone Apply For Verification; Here's How

Once that is done, your application will be logged in. Twitter says emailed response will be sent within a few days, but it could take up to a few weeks depending the number of applications they are looking through.

Once your application is approved, the blue badge automatically shows on your profile. However, if it is rejected, Twitter says you still have an opportunity to reapply 30 days after receiving its reponse.

P.S If you don’t see the verification application, don’t panic it’s still coming. Twitter says gradually rolling it out to everyone to ensure that applications are reviewed in a timely manner. 

New guidelines for verified accounts

For accounts that have been verified, Twitter says it has started enforcing the updated policy as part of its new guidelines. This means that verified account that no longer meets the updated criteria such as those that are inactive or have an incomplete profile will have their blue tick automatically removed.

The guideline line also states that verified accounts should follow the philosophy of leading by example, Tweet others how they want to be Tweeted, and serve the public conversation authentically, respectfully, and with consideration.

It added that all accounts, including verified accounts, must follow the Twitter Rules. Verified accounts that repeatedly violate the Twitter Rules may lose their blue badge.

Twitter is Finally Letting Anyone Apply For Verification; Here's How

Twitter blue tick and why verification was suspended

The original verification program was launched by Twitter in 2009 as a way of verifying the identities of high-profile users “at risk of impersonation.” However, the process for verification was obscure, with no clear way to apply.

In 2016, the social network opened a verification program to the public but later paused in 2017 after it was widely criticized for verifying the account of a white supremacist.

At the time, Twitter attempted to clarify its rules about which accounts are eligible for verification but it has over time become a badge interpreted as an endorsement by Twitter itself.

While the public verification program had been suspended, Twitter continued to manually verify certain accounts, like those of politicians, big companies, accounts publishing information about the pandemic etc.

Twitter is Finally Letting Anyone Apply For Verification; Here's How
Twitter’s Original verification program was launched in 2009

However, it was always a recurring conversation as to how Twitter selected those that will be honoured with the badge.

In January 2021, Twitter introduced a new verification policy and after several months, says it has been working to bring clarity to the verification eligibility criteria and launched a new policy shaped by public feedback

Alongside the new verification application, Twitter is also previewing changes it’s considering to profiles, including the addition of an About tab and the upcoming label for automated accounts.

https://technext.ng/2021/05/07/twitters-tip-jar-feature-lets-users-receive-money-through-their-profiles-heres-how-it-works/

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