Upping their game for the umpteenth time this year, Twitter has once again announced a major change that will regain its users’ interest and perhaps encourage more activity on the microblogging platform.
Since its implementation in 2009, verified accounts (blue tick or blue checkmark) on Twitter are limited to accounts maintained by public figures and organisations in music, TV, film, fashion, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, and business, just to name a few. To date, Twitter has close to 187,000 verified accounts. Amongst the first Twitter accounts to be verified are such as @CDCgov (first ever), @NASAArmstrong, @KimKardashian, @Oprah, and @TonyHawk.
In 2012, the Twitter verification was still limited to only certain type of accounts:
Verification is not currently open to the general public. Learn more about the types of accounts that are eligible: http://t.co/gWFQdG2c
— Verified (@verified) August 7, 2012
Well, not for any longer because Twitter has just rolled out an online application process for users to receive verified status.
Upon the announcement, Twitter’s vice president of User Services Tina Bhatnagar revealed, “We want to make it even easier for people to find creators and influencers on Twitter so it makes sense for us to let people apply for verification. We hope opening up this application process results in more people finding great, high-quality accounts to follow, and for these creators and influencers to connect with a broader audience.”
The application process will start rolling out today and be available globally this week, but the process of getting a verified account is no piece of cake. According to their support page, Twitter favours people who have their account set on public, as well as people who use a name that reflects the real or stage name of the person. If the account is a corporation or company account, the name needs to reflect the real name of the corporation or company.
On top of that, the profile and/or header photo has to accurately reflect the person, the corporation’s branding, or the company’s branding, and Twitter may request that you scan and upload a legible copy of your government-issued ID (such as a passport or driver’s license) to confirm your identity. It is also extremely important to note that verification isn’t guaranteed because Twitter may or may not continue to grant the blue tick to only public figures, influencers, or industry users.
That having said, the good thing is that if your request is denied, you can opt to submit another request for the same account 30 days after receiving the e-mail from Twitter.
To start you off, go here to apply for a blue tick verified Twitter account. Good luck!
Sources: Twitter, PR Newswire / Featured image: Metro.
