Twitter has over 300 million users across the world but only a select few of those have a blue button beside their name, indicating their “verified” status.
The social media company announced today a new online application process for users to apply for verified status and score their own blue badge of honour. The social network typically monitors and approves verified status in a very hands-on way, but that is all set to change thanks to a new verified application process.
Twitter states on its site that a verification badge “lets people know that an account of public interest is authentic,” specifically in music, TV, film, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports and business.
“We want to make it even easier for people to find creators and influencers on Twitter so it makes sense for us to let people apply for verification,” said Tina Bhatnagar, Twitter’s vice president of user services in a statement sent to MobileSyrup. “We hope opening up this application process results in more people finding great, high-quality accounts to follow, and for these creators and influencers to connect with a broader audience.”
Twitter launched verification in 2009 and now has close to 187,000 verified accounts, representing less than one percent of its user base.
Twitter notes the application process will start rolling out today and that it will respond to requests via email if approved. Details needed for verification are a phone number, confirmed email address, bio, profile photo, birthday and website. Tweets shared from that account must also be open to the public.
“If your request is denied, you can submit another request for the same account 30 days after receiving the email from us,” says Twitter in a statement.
[source]Twitter[/source]
