Twitter relaunches verified program with a blue badge

For the first time since 2017, Twitter is letting anyone on its platform apply for verification. The feature is relaunching alongside strict new criteria, so not everyone is eligible. Here’s everything you need to know.

To request verification on Twitter and receive the coveted blue badge next to your name, do the following:

• Open Twitter
• Head to Settings
• Tap Request Verification
• Fill in the details

If you don’t see the option yet, don’t worry. It’ll be gradually rolling out to all users over the coming weeks.

All Twitter users will be able to ask for verification once every 30 days, much like Instagram. The requests will be handled by humans rather than algorithms, and users should expect a response within 1-4 weeks.There are currently six account categories that qualify for verification:

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

For the individual account category criteria, click here. Twitter has plans to add more categories in the future. In the coming months, scientists and academics will be eligible. Religious leaders will be added by the end of 2021.

In addition to the above criteria, Twitters users must be able to verify their identity. A complete account is required too, meaning you must have a profile name and profile photo.

You must also have logged into your account in the last six months, have a confirmed email address or phone number, and not have had an account lockout in the past 12 months (successful appeals are excluded).