How to Get Verified on X

On social media platforms like Instagram and X, you may have seen some accounts with a little blue checkmark next to their names. You may have noticed that those accounts seem to have a bit more clout than your friends’ and colleagues’ accounts. Once upon a time, that was true on X (formerly Twitter). The verification badge was one of the most recognized clout symbols on the internet.

After Elon Musk acquired and rebranded the platform, the verification badge has more or less lost its meaning. Whereas it once was a free mark that showed you were an authentic, follow-worthy account, today it simply means you’re a paid subscriber and adhere to basic account standards. So, if you want to get verified on X, it’s pretty simple.

Step 1: Subscribe to X Premium

The first, and basically only, step you have to take to get verified is to purchase a subscription to X Premium. You can subscribe via the X website or through the X mobile application. Both X Premium and Premium+ include verification.

After subscribing, X will review your profile before granting the verification badge. If you recently changed your profile photo, display name, or handle, your account may temporarily lose its badge until the review is complete. It’s typically a delay of a few days to a week.

Step 2: Meet Eligibility Requirements

The only other step is to prove your account meets verification eligibility requirements and remains compliant. Your account must satisfy all of the following points:

• Complete profile: You must have both a display name and a profile photo set.
• Active usage: The account must have been active on X within the last 30 days.
• Verified phone number: You must have a verified phone number associated with your X account.

In addition to these requirements, you also have to uphold security and policy standards to avoid getting your verification badge revoked. That means avoiding policy violations, not impersonating anybody else, and not spamming on the platform.

Understanding Other Verification Badges

The blue checkmark is the most common verification badge, but X also offers two other badges to signify official status, both of which require higher-priced subscriptions.

• Gold: Signifies an official Verified Organization (a business, non-profit, or government entity) that pays a higher fee.
• Gray: Signifies an official Government or Multilateral Organization account.

If you’re looking to verify an account for one of these organizations, the process is the same, but it may be more expensive.

Benefits of the X Premium Subscription

The blue checkmark has effectively lost all of its status. For individuals, it’s often a point of ridicule as paying for a feature that was once famously free and earned is seen as sad — the opposite of clout. That said, there are some actual benefits to getting X Premium, including:

• Prioritized rankings: Verified posts receive a significant boost in visibility. They’re prioritized in replies, search results, and the “For You” feed. X is a leading influencer marketing platform, so that can be useful.
• Longer posts: You gain the ability to post up to 25,000 characters, far exceeding the standard limit.
• Editing posts: The ability to edit a post after publishing it.
• Ad reduction: You’ll get fewer ads with X Premium, and no ads with Premium+.
• Monetization eligibility: Becoming a Premium member makes you eligible for monetization features, such as the ad revenue sharing program, giving you a new marketing tool to monetize.

The blue checkmark is bought, not earned, but at least you get some additional benefits for your purchase.