For safety, security, and to enhance brand and profile visibility, social media platforms allow users to verify their identities. Profile verification lets users confirm that it’s them who’s using their profile, which can also protect against impersonation and fake accounts. For many social media platforms, users can become verified by applying for verification through the designated platform they wish to become verified on and providing the corresponding information, such as their email address, phone number, reason for verification, and a valid ID, that aligns with the specific platform’s requirements.
From there, they submit their verification application, which the platform analyzes to make sure it is legitimate and that their existing profile and account are in good standing. Once users are verified, they’ll usually receive a notification update from the platform confirming their verification. If they’re denied, reasons usually include providing incomplete or invalid information or an application, violating platform guidelines, or not reaching the eligibility threshold required for verification, such as having a certain number of followers or subscribers that demonstrates an established and growing brand.
Platforms like TikTok allow users to apply for verification directly in the app, where they’re either approved or denied. When a user becomes officially verified on TikTok, they’ll receive a blue checkmark symbol next to their account name, which is visible to them and other users across the platform, as well as in TikTok’s search results when users go to search for that profile. These verification badges can only be issued by the platform and cannot be self-assigned. If you’re a creator or business that wants to become verified on the platform, check out the steps below.
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Before applying for verification, you first have to make sure you’re eligible to do so. To become verified, users must adhere to TikTok’s verification guidelines, which include having an active account that has been logged into the platform within the past six months of applying for verification. User accounts must also represent themselves authentically. Meaning, that an account must accurately and definitely represent a real person, entity, or business. TikTok also doesn’t take into account the number of likes or followers an account has when evaluating an account’s verification application.
Accounts must also be set to public and include all necessary and corresponding profile information, including a proper username and bio, profile picture, and a minimum of one post. For enhanced security, TikTok also requires that users applying for account verification must have two-step verification enabled using the email address that’s verified and associated with their account. The platform also requires that accounts must be notable in nature and spotlighted in different news sources.
For this specific eligibility criteria, the platform doesn’t allow sponsored or paid media or press releases to be used as a form of notability or credibility. All users, regardless of whether they’re verified or not, must follow the platform’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines at all times, as not doing so can result in losing verification and being banned from the platform, whether you’re verified or not.
Step 2: Go to the App’s Settings
After determining your eligibility, to apply for verification, log into the app and select the ‘Profile’ button at the bottom of your app’s screen. From there, choose the ‘Menu’ button at the top of your profile screen, which looks like a hamburger button. Once your account’s menu options pop up, tap the tab that says, ‘Settings and privacy.’ Then, select ‘Account’ which is the first tab located at the top of your account’s ‘Settings and privacy’ screen page, then ‘Verification,’ and then click the ‘Start’ button.
As stated earlier, users must meet the platform’s eligibility requirements, have followed its Community Guidelines and Terms of Service since signing up to use the platform, supply the necessary account details required for the verification request process, and demonstrate that they’ve established notability and credibility. For users under 18, the platform requires that you email the designated email address at the bottom of the verification request screen to get verified.
Step 3: Submit the Necessary Information
When applying for verification, you must first select your verification type, which can be personal, business, or institutional. TikTok requires account holders to apply for the specific verification type that’s associated with their account.
After selecting your account type, you’ll then be prompted to enter specific details about your account, including your username, date of birth, full name, nationality, and the country or region you’re located in. You’ll also be prompted to upload photos of either the front and back of your driver’s license or Passport, which must be valid and unexpired. The images themselves must also be clear, with high resolution, show the whole document, and follow the platform’s photo upload guidelines in general.
On the next page, you’ll be asked if you’re a political or governmental figure, and be prompted to select a category that best describes you and your account, such as ‘personal blog,’ ‘clothing and accessories, ‘media and entertainment,’ and more. Once you’ve selected the appropriate category that best describes your account, you’ll then need to include links to at least four different sources that showcase notability, based on the platform’s specific requirements, such as supplying live news articles from reputable and distinguished sources and news agencies that highlight you and your account. After completing those steps, you’ll then be prompted to agree to the platform’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to continue and submit your verification application request.
Step 4: Wait for Approval
After submitting your verification request, you’ll need to wait to hear back. Generally, it can take up to 30 days to know if you’ve become verified or not. After the process is complete, you’ll receive an update from the platform, notifying you if you’ve been granted a verification or not. TikTok allows users who are denied verification to reapply 30 days after being notified of their denial. TikTok also allows users to submit a verification request via their designated online form in addition to the app.
Follow the Platform’s Guidelines
To maintain your verification, as with any social media platform, users must adhere to the platform’s guidelines and Terms of Service at all times. Failure to do so can result in the loss of verification and a ban from the platform. TikTok may also remove an account’s verified badge at any time without prior notice for reasons, such as a user changing their verified account’s username to another after receiving verification, which then requires a re-application, transferring the verified account to another owner which then makes the prior verification inauthentic and ineligible, switching between account types, and violating the platform’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.
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