Twitter will soon allow verified accounts to have the famous “blue stamp” again, but with a new procedure
After a break, verified accounts are back on Twitter. Starting from 2021 it will be possible again to make a request to get the blue stamp by all those accounts of public interest that want to prove their authenticity to the users of the platform and beyond.
The verification program had been suspended three years ago, following some complaints made by users of the platform. As stated on the pages of its official blog, Twitter had in fact highlighted the negative feedback received on the system, defined by some as arbitrary and confusing. Despite the efforts to improve the program, after only one year the platform had decided to focus on other issues, such as the protection of the integrity of public conversation during critical events, leaving behind – at least until today – the issue of verification.
Accounts verified, Twitter’s new verification criteria
To choose the new verification criteria, Twitter has chosen to ask its users for public feedback, a practice that has become of paramount importance for the platform that has made this interaction an important part of its policy development process. As a free service, in fact, the social aims to be an expression of its members.
Another important change to the criteria, inserted at this stage, is to proceed with the removal of verification from accounts that are inactive, incomplete profiles and profiles that have repeatedly violated Twitter policies. This badge removal process will be introduced starting next year and will last throughout 2021.
Verified Accounts, How to Apply for Twitter Verification
To apply for verification, the account must be notable and belong to one of six identified categories: Government Entities, Corporations, Brands and Nonprofit Organizations, News (newspapers or journalists employed by eligible organizations), Entertainment, Sports, Activists, Organizers, and Other Influential Individuals.
Another requirement is that the profile be complete, with name, biography, profile picture, and header. The profile must be active, logged in within the last six months, and must also be associated with an email address or phone number that has undergone a confirmation process.
Twitter regulations must also be met by accounts pointing to the blue verification badge: in fact, there must be no 12-hour or 7-day blocks due to Twitter Rules violations received within the last six months. There are also other criteria, particularly relevant, that must be met. Among them, there are, the number of followers (in the first 0.1% of accounts in the same country), recognition for creating a particularly relevant hashtag movement, having a Wikipedia page with external references to distinct sources, profile on Google Trends and references – 3 or more – in the previous six months in press organs. Obviously, in order to access the verification it is sufficient that only one of the requirements is met and not necessarily all of them.
Verification badge, who can not request it
Some types of profiles are not suitable, such as satirical accounts or managed by fans, those who try to deceive users with fake profile images or profiles that have made serious violations of the regulation with immediate suspension of the account.