Getting verified on X now means an active Premium or Premium+ subscription and a passed review. It does not mean the account was ID-verified.
Basic does not include the check. Legacy verified accounts lost the badge unless they subscribed. X stopped taking applications under the old “active, notable, and authentic” rules on April 1, 2023.
I subscribed on April 1, 2023, to see what the paid check actually did. I still have it. For a small business, it is a tool, not proof of importance.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Table of Contents
How Getting Verified on X Works with the Blue Check
- Finish the profile: display name, profile photo, and a confirmed phone number.
- Use the account. X requires activity in the past 30 days before you can subscribe.
- Do not change your photo, display name, or @handle right before you subscribe. Recent changes can block the check.
- On the web, open Premium and choose Premium or Premium+. Skip Basic if the check is the reason you are paying.
- Pay online if you can. The iOS and Android prices are usually higher.
- Wait for the review. Other Premium features show up right away. The check shows up only after X reviews the account.
Confirm the current price on the X Premium screen before you subscribe. The tiers move. As of late 2026, Basic is commonly listed at around $3 per month online, Premium at around $8 per month, and Premium+ at a much higher price of $40 per month.
That is the only way to get verified on X. Basic will not do it.
What X checks before it gives the badge
X’s help page lists four requirements:
- Complete: a display name and profile photo.
- Active: activity in the past 30 days.
- Secure: a confirmed phone number.
- Non-deceptive: no recent photo, name, or handle change, and no sign of impersonation, spam, or platform manipulation.
The check can also be removed if the account breaks the rules or changes its profile. Changing your photo, name, or handle can drop the badge until X reviews the account again.
A complete profile still matters more than the badge. Use a real photo, a clear name, and a bio that says what you do. I cover that in the Twitter bio guide.
What the check does not mean
This is the part most older posts get wrong, including the first version of this one.
- It is not an ID check. ID verification is a separate Premium feature.
- It is not a follower minimum. X no longer requires a notable account application.
- It is not a reach guarantee. Reply prioritization is a perk. It is not a promise of impressions or clients.
- In the EEA, X no longer calls these accounts “verified.” After a European Commission decision on December 5, 2025, it refers to them as Premium users. X is appealing that decision.
Which Tier Has The Checkmark
| Tier | Blue check | What you are paying for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | No | Edit posts, longer posts and video, some reply prioritization, text formatting, bookmark folders, custom app icons |
| Premium | Yes, after review | Everything in Basic, plus the check, fewer ads, ID verification, Media Studio, higher Grok limits, and the option to apply for creator revenue sharing |
| Premium+ | Yes, after review | Everything in Premium, plus the largest reply boost, higher Grok limits, Articles, Radar Search, and no ads in most places |
Gold is for verified organizations. Gray is for government and multilateral accounts. Neither one comes with a personal Premium subscription.
For the longer change log, including how the old Twitter app turned into this, see my X guide for longtime users.
Is it Worth it For a Small Business?
Pay for Premium if one of these is true:
- Someone is impersonating you or your business.
- You reply on X often and want the reply boost.
- You need the edit button, longer posts, or longer video. The edit steps are in the how to edit posts on X.
- You want to apply for creator revenue sharing later. The check alone does not make you eligible.
Skip it if you want the badge to replace a clear bio, steady posting, or a site people can trust. A check on an empty profile does not make the account look established. It makes the subscription obvious.
Getting verified on X is worth paying for if someone is impersonating you, or if you need the edit button and reply boost.
Instagram and Facebook are different products. I break that decision down in Meta Verified.
What Happened to the Old Blue Check
Before April 2023, Twitter verified accounts it considered notable: government, news, sports, entertainment, and some brands. You could not buy it. You applied, sent proof, and waited. Most people were rejected.
That program is closed. A government ID is not the requirement for the blue check. Paying for Premium or Premium+ and passing the review is.
FAQs
No.
Not for the blue check. X offers ID verification separately inside Premium.
X does not promise a time. Features unlock immediately. The check waits on the review.
No. X wound that program down starting April 1, 2023.
It can. X says a recent change to your photo, display name, or handle can hold the check until the account is reviewed again.
Conclusion: Is Getting Verified on X Worth the Subscription?
I have kept mine since April 1, 2023, mostly for the edit button, Grok usage, and longer posts, not for the badge.
Have you subscribed, or did you drop it? Tell me what you actually got for the money in the comments. 👇
Disclosure: This Inspire To Thrive blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Some sections were drafted with AI tools and carefully reviewed/edited by me.
Comments are from previous years; the post was fully updated in October, 2026.
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Hi Lisa
I was not aware that Twitter had suspended the verification process back in 2018. I guess it is good to know that Google has opened up for this service again. I have never tried to get verified, as I am sure that I don’t qualify for that. I know people that have tried, but it is very difficult unless you are famous and have like 100.000 followers or more.
Hi Thomas – well it’s only for Covid-19 now with Twitter verifications. No others! So unless you are a news organization, medical research etc. on the Covid-19 you will NOT be able to be verified by Twitter still today.
There were many people verified on Twitter with little followers, but they are mostly media and entertainment type folks. Thanks for coming by on this one and have a healthy and safe day, weekend ahead!
Hello Lisa,
It is a fantastic update from twitter. Nowadays, we can’t figure out whether the information said in social media is real or not. In those difficult circumstances, some people will try to cash in and publish false information for the sake of gaining attention. And these acts help to flush out!
Thanks & Regards
Aria Mathew
Hi Aria, It is! I’m glad they are doing it for this pandemic crisis. Thanks for coming by and stay healthy and safe Aria.
It’s not an easy task for get verified on Twitter account. I’ve applied for it once and it failed. Thanks for this awesome post, I like what you said in the article that we should keep trying even after it fails.
Hi Victor, welcome to Inspire To Thrive. Well, this verification process now is JUST for the COVID-19 accounts, factual/real accounts that tweeting factual information on it. That’s it, no others at the moment. Twitter employees are working from home. Thank for coming by and stay healthy and safe.
I think this is the first time when twitter gives that opportunity. Actually twitter realizes the real situation and make this decision.
Hi Alex, welcome to Inspire To Thrive. yes, it is but only for the Covid-19 factual accounts. No other type of accounts are being verified at this time. Thanks for coming by and stay healthy and safe.
Hi Lisa, it is a fantastic opportunity for those in the medical field who are experts and can provide helpful information on coronavirus. I have not tried to get verified before. But I will give it a shot. First, straighten up my profile and then see how it goes.
Thank you for the tips and insights.
Hi Moss, yes, it is only for those in the medical field or info pertaining to the virus only. You are most welcome and do take care Moss.
Definitely it’s not an easy job to get a verified Twitter account. Even I tried and failed. There are lots of factors involved in this, some of those are know and some of those are unknown. Internet is full of misleading posts on this topic and none of those worked. We need to build the authority first and then should try to get verified.
Hi Samy, welcome to Inspire to Thrive.Oh yes, it is not an easy task. I would agree, keep on building your authority first and then try, try again. Only about 5% of Twitter accounts are verified. Thanks for coming by and have a great week ahead Samy!
WOW this is very awesome post, I had always wondered about the process of getting verified on twitter. I guess you had shared each and every point on getting verified.
The infographics is very helpful too.
Cheers!
Hi Ruth, welcome to Inspire to Thrive. Thank you. It is not an easy process but one you can always go back and try again after some time. I loved the infographic myself. They always help to explain things in images. Thank you for visiting and have a great day Ruth!
Hello, Lisa!
I was failed miserably … But I am okay.
I, too, heard of so many tricks that do this and that to get verified. But I am not sure which metric works for being verified.
I think I am not going to try it anytime sooner.
Thanks for the info, Lisa!
~ Adeel
Hi Adeel, oh no, do try again. It seems like there are so many different metrics involved in this one. I believe it was less than 3% of users that got verified so you are in the majority. Thanks for letting us know here and have a great week ahead!
This is great stuff Lisa. I’m never going to try to verify my account because one, I don’t feel even an iota of influential, and two, my real first name isn’t Mitch, and I don’t feel like dealing with that drama. I’ll wait until I win the $400 million lottery… then I’ll feel a little bit more influential.
Hi Mitch, LOL – it might be easier winning that $400 million. And you are really not a Mitch?? I can’t believe it…..Thanks for coming by and have a great new week Mitch.
Hi Lisa,
Excellent post! Getting verified is like a dream that every twitter user see. I always thought only celebrity or a successful person could get verified.
But, after reading your post, I will also apply for verification.
I have seen people who are active on Twitter having lots of followers but still they have no verified account.
Thanks to you, you have brought every point that a person need to know in order to get blue tick for their twitter account.
Regards,
Umesh Singh
Thank you Umesh. Yes, it is interesting to see the number of followers do NOT guarantee a verified checkmark near your name. I think that is probably a good thing too. It does seem like a secret sauce though. “Public interest” seems to be a major key as well. Thanks for coming by. I’d love to know how you make out with getting verified. Have a great day Umesh!
Hi Lisa,
Wow…I love that infographic! It makes it so easy to understand what exactly one has to do to be verified on Twitter. I guess if you leave one thing out, you are doomed Hugh?
I haven’t applied yet and its a good thing because this is an amazing reference when applying. I haven’t been so active on Twitter until a few months ago. Now all I want to do is tweet!
Thanks so much for your expert advice.
-Donna
Hi Donna, I did too. Thank you. Yes, be sure to follow all the steps in case you can make the grade. I think public interest is the hardest part to figure out in their secret recipe of approving accounts to be verified Donna. You are welcome. I appreciate your taking the time to come by and comment on this one. I’d love to know how you make out when you do try to get verified on Twitter Donna.
Getting verified gives a boost to twitter account. I have seen verified sign on many accounts and was wondering hwo can I do it. I was looking for a way how to get verified my twitter account. This infographic is also very helpful to understand how this process work.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sona, welcome to Inspire to Thrive. I hope it helps you to become verified and I’d love to know how you make out with it. Good luck and thanks for coming by and leaving me a comment. Have a great weekend.
Hey Lisa,
In Twitter’s announcement about verified accounts, they listed a few particular elements that might be a factor in which accounts they choose to verify and which they don’t. The biggest factor in getting verified on Twitter is that the profile is of public interest. Eventually, thanks for reveling a light on this topic.
With best wishes,
Amar kumar
Hi Amar, yes- and I wonder what exactly is “public interest”? I’ve seen many game developers and entertainment types get verified, are they truly “public interest”? You are welcome and I appreciate your coming by and commenting on this one Amar. Have a great rest of the week.
Excellent Review!!
Always I use to prefer medias to build a good relationship[ with the readers, audiences, and followers. But in some cases, I use to afraid of using twitter since it has various unique features.
Still, your post gave me some hope on doing the verification purposes I am going to get verified on Twitter
Really it is a very useful guide for all new starters and experts.
Thanks!!
Regards,
Sathish
Hi Sathish, welcome to Inspire to Thrive. Thank you. What type of medias to you prefer Sathish? I love Twitter and had to research how folks were getting verified or not. I’d love to hear how you make out with getting verified. Thanks for coming by and have yourself a great day.
Hi Lisa,
I too was stunned at Sam! Guy is the Twitter Master, inside-out. He does all the things Twitter loves in users, and tweets on topic, and is a social media guy through and through, building his rep in 1 area. Stupified. I applied a while back but no checky checky for me LOL. But for me at least, I see verification as icing on the cake. If I get it, super. It not, still all good. Thanks for sharing.
Ryan
Hi Ryan, I know – me too! He’s amazing with social media and I could not believe he didn’t get verified. That was inspiration for me to write about this – everything else written was about how easy it was to get verified – NOT. I agree too it’s just icing on the cake, it’s not the cake…..Thanks for coming by Ryan and for your input and experience with the Twitter verification process. Have a great day!
Hi Lisa,
First, I love the infographic! Well done!!!
I haven’t considered the option of verifying my Twitter account @donpurdum. Although, if it can get approved it’s a cool idea to try. It certainly wouldn’t hurt. But, I’m not sure it makes that much of a difference to my audience or that it will help my social influence on Twitter?
Sam is a great guy! He has been tweeting one of my articles religiously for almost six months, several times a week.
I appreciate your insights and I love your interaction with me on Twitter as well Lisa!
Have a great week!
~ Don
HI Don, thank you. I had been researching a while on this and when I saw that infographic it inspired me to finally write the post. I don’t think it hurts and I’m not sure how much it really helps in the long run. I love Sam – he is awesome with social media. I can see why he’s ranked #1! I was shocked he did not get verified. That inspired me to write about this too. Thanks again Don and have a great rest of the week, see you back on Twitter.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your informative post. It confirms what happened to me recently. It’s not easy to get Twitter verified.
Twitter turned me down in 48 hours (1st attempt):
“We reviewed the account, and unfortunately it is not eligible to be verified at this time. Please visit our Help Center for more information about the types of accounts we verify.”
Hmmm… not eligible? Is that a vague answer or a canned message.
I’ve read their help center stuff before applying and after. I can’t find anything helpful.
When time permits, I’ll try again. We never know.
Off to share your post.
-steve
Hi Steve, welcome to Inspire to Thrive. You are welcome. Oh yes, I got that same response as well. It sounds like a canned message. I think the “public interest” is too vague and maybe that’s where we get tossed out? I’ll be trying again and I may use my blog account vs my personal Twitter handle. That would be a good test, I have 3x as many followers on my @Lisapatb vs. @InspireToThrive handle. Thanks for sharing your experience here with us Steve and have a great day!
Hi Lisa,
I haven’t tried to get verified yet – but I’m hoping to in the future. I say future because if there are tweeps who are awesome on Twitter and haven’t gotten verified – I know I don’t stand a chance yet.
Thanks for sharing this with us. I’m going to hang on to it and use it as a guide for when I decide to go for it. There’s a lot of great feedback here.
Great post as always. Hope all is well Lisa!
Cori
Hi Cori, I know how you feel. I tried it out to see how the process worked and will try again in 30 days. Debating whether to try it with my blog brand vs. my personal account next time. Thanks for coming by and taking the time to comment too Cori. I hope things are going well for you and have a great day.
Thanks for the continued love, Lisa!. And a great post that many don’t like to write about – I’m glad you have!
If the whole verification process was built around authenticity based on public votes, for example, I’d imagine THAT would be a far better method.
The criteria is ‘of public interest’ … so it doesn’t really make sense to me that one person / (or initially I’d imagine, a robot) from Twitter takes a quick look and decides on the spot.
It’s also a great shame they don’t provide more info on rejection – a little hint would be helpful to so many people but I find (like a lot of the large corporations) customer service is increasingly unreachable. Genuine responses that aren’t vague would result in a lot more love for brands. I find the same issues with PayPal and Facebook…
Relationships are everything and a blue tick isn’t going to change what we’ve worked hard to build. What it does affect is the attraction of new relations – although I feel because there’s much debate around the subject of verification, it’s almost lost its value a little too.
Stay cool Lisa!
Hi Sam, oh you are welcome my friend. I’ve been looking at who got verified and who didn’t. After reading many posts on how “easy” it is to get verified I know it really wasn’t. I didn’t know many people that were verified especially on the first try. Public interest is a tough one – why do game developers seem to get a checkmark more readily? It seems more like entertainment type accounts too. I do agree with you Sam, they can’t take away the relationships with or without a blue check – hopefully most users will see through it and realize its more about the public figure types. Thanks for coming by Sam and have a great rest of the week.
Hey Lisa,
Even I have seen many Twitter users just with 2000 followers and they have a blue tick. I don’t understand the criteria of twitter to get verified.
People work so hard and remain on Twitter to tweet more and more. But a few are there who are verified. I have read the security tips of Twitter and there is nothing hard about it.
Anyone can manage his/her account accordingly.
The infographics can be really helpful to those who need to understand this concept clearly.
Thank for sharing with us.
Have a great day.
~Ravi
Hi Ravi, yes, that was my main point -after all the research I’m not sure what makes them give some the checkmark and others not. Have you tried it yet yourself? If you get denied you can try again in 30 days. I may. I’d love to hear from Kim on what the difference for her. Thanks for coming by Ravi and have yourself a great day!
Good morning, Lisa! Happy Monday!
Fabulous post! I’ll admit, after getting my Facebook page verified, which btw was pretty easy with a business license, I attempted Twitter. I jumped through their hoops in hopes of getting that little blue thingy by my name. I thought it would be good for my business. However, I was denied. No explanation given, just DENIED! I almost felt like I was trying to get into some secret society or something. After I thought about it, I decided to not try again. I’m verified on Facebook and that is my #1 traffic generator. If people click the link in my Twitter bio, they will see I’m legit. So phooey on them! I don’t need their little checky thingy and for the record, I didn’t like having to share my birthdate with them. Pfft….
For those who do it, power to them. Makes no difference to me at this point. Doesn’t mean I’m any less legit than I am in my book.
Thanks for a great article! Have a great day!
B
Good morning Brenda. Thank you. At least you can try again in 30 days and like Adrian says, I’m not convinced it’s a must. It is nice but what does it really do? Maybe we will hear from someone is verified on that one. Verified on Facebook? I’m not sure if I ever did that one or not. For your page or personal account Bren?
But remember with Twitter you don’t have to share your birth date with everyone publicly, you can set it to private.
Thanks for coming by with your input on this on Brenda, I really appreciate it and Happy Monday! Another week already!
Yes, on Facebook. I verified my Business Page, Brenda Pace’s Virtual Assisting. Being a lot of my business comes from there, I thought it would legitimize myself a bit better.
Hi Lisa,
I haven’t tried to verify my Twitter account. And I don’t plan to do it. Why should I give my phone number to a site that is hacked from time to time? Just to get a badge? Good joke. Or maybe not.
Do you need to see my badge in order to be sure that I’m not a robot or a criminal?
If I become a public personality – that won’t happen – then I’ll consider getting a badge on Twitter. Otherwise, no one needs to see my badge. Well, maybe the guys and gals who use TrueTwit need my badge, but… sorry, I don’t care.
If my content is helpful, it doesn’t matter whether I got a badge or not, or whether this is my real name or not. If my content sucks or if I suck, will that badge change anything? Will that badge make me and my content acceptable? I don’t think so.
I am who I am and my (real) name or my badge (or the lack of it) are irrelevant. What I do is relevant. Remember my About Me page!
Enjoy your week!
Adrian aka The Tweeting Ronin. Or the Crazy Robot.
Hi Adrian, I had a feeling your answer would be like this – I think I’m starting to know you now.
Yes, after all the research I did I wondered “who decides, how do they really decide and if too many get it does it make it no longer valuable? and valuable to who?” It’s almost like wearing clothing with high priced logo’s – are they really necessary? It will surely be interesting to see how this evolves with the verification badges on Twitter.
I heard lots of talk too about a new baby on Instagram getting verified out of the womb, really?
Thanks for coming by Adrian and for your input on this topic, have a great day!
Hi Lisa,
Happy Monday!
Informative post indeed! Yes, it’s surely isn’t easy getting verified, no matter which social networking platform you’re on! As you mentioned, sometimes those with a very large following and several shares also don’t get verified, while those with just a handful followers may get verified quicker than expected!
I’ve yet to try my hand at Twitter, and even Facebook for that matter – just glad my G+ profile was verified a few months back! The infographic surely says a lot – thanks for sharing it. Have a nice week ahead.
Thank you Harleena, you too. It is really interesting how some do get verified and other’s don’t. I really could not find true answer on how to. I found lots of tips and some tricks but no clear cut answer. I think they like it that way. I didn’t know you can get verified on Google+ now. I haven’t been using that platform much at all. I’ve been sticking to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest. We can only be on so many places at once. Thanks for coming by and commenting on this one Harleena. Have a great week ahead.