Twitter is rolling out its new verification program, with revamped categories that include activists and journalists, and previews upcoming changes to profiles

It also previewed potential changes coming to profiles — Twitter is relaunching its public verification program, allowing anyone to apply for a coveted blue check mark.

The Verge 2021-05-21

Context & Ripple Effects

Twitter's verification system had moved from revocation rules for verified accounts to a planned rebuild with published guidelines and in-app requests. The earlier plan named six account categories; the current rollout expands the practical scope to activists and journalists.

The program turns verification into an application process while Twitter also signals changes to profile presentation, making account identity a more explicit product workflow rather than a one-off designation.

First-order effects

Activists, journalists, and other eligible users can now submit verification applications instead of relying on an opaque approval process.
Twitter must apply its revamped categories and account rules to a wider applicant pool while managing the blue check's meaning on user profiles.

Second-order effects

Public criteria and category-based applications give applicants a clearer basis to challenge or adjust how they present their accounts for verification.
The rollout makes Twitter's verification decisions more operationally visible, increasing the importance of consistent enforcement of the earlier verified-account guidelines.

Third-order effects

If Twitter maintains the application model, verification shifts from episodic status grants toward a governed identity workflow with documented eligibility and revocation rules.

The trend: Social platforms are formalizing verification as a repeatable identity-management workflow rather than an exceptional badge allocation.

Discussion

Twitter Twitter on x
Relaunching verification and what's next
help.twitter.com help.twitter.com on x
Verification FAQ — What does verification mean? — Verification is part of our commitment …
@verified @verified on x
Dear “can you verify me” — Save your Tweets and DMs, there's a new official way to apply for a blue badge, rolling out over the next few weeks. You can now submit an application to request verification in-app, right from your account settings! -Your verified blue badge source htt…
@verified @verified on x
Once you've opened the application link under “Verified” in your account settings: 1. Tell us which eligible category matches your account 2. Choose how you'd like us to confirm your identity 3. Submit the request and we'll let you know when you can expect a decision https://twit…
@laurengoode Lauren Goode on x
Big news: Now anyone can apply for a blue check mark on Twitter. DM @MikeIsaac, he can hook you up.
@verified @verified on x
Accounts not eligible: ▪️ Parody, newsfeed, commentary, & unofficial fan accounts ▪️ Pets & fictional characters ▪️ Accounts associated with coordinated harmful activity/hateful content ▪️ Accounts that have violated our Platform manipulation & spam policy https://help.twitter.co…
@larakate Lara Cohen on x
I love you. But please don't ask me to get verified. Do it your dang self https://blog.twitter.com/...
@scalzi John Scalzi on x
Get you a check that is blue https://www.theverge.com/...
@davidgross_man David Grossman on x
i will never apply for a “blue check.” it will either be handed to me by god or i will wander through the wilderness alone https://twitter.com/...
@datruthdt @datruthdt on x
Good. Now people won't be fooled by the 500 accounts impersonating me lol https://twitter.com/...
@oloni Oloni Baby on x
Looool omg 😂😂 https://twitter.com/...
@sarahhusain16 Sarah Husain on x
I'm beyond thrilled to share that today we are bringing our verification policy to life! We've launched the ability to apply for verification in your account settings https://blog.twitter.com/...
@owillis Oliver Willis on x
Oh no they're letting in the peasants https://twitter.com/...
@twitter @twitter on x
may the odds be in your favor https://twitter.com/...
@embryethan Ethan Embry on x
A way to petition for an account to be unverified would be far more valuable. https://twitter.com/...
@quinnypig Corey Quinn on x
This looks *WAY* easier than the alternate “commit newsworthy atrocities” approach to getting @verified... https://twitter.com/...
@anildash @anildash on x
One of the questions I've most liked asking folks who insist I help them get verified (something I do not, and gave never, have any power over) is “what does the check mark represent to you?” Answers are always interesting. https://twitter.com/...
@forkfrenzy Levon Jihanian on x
come get verified like me so people can start asking you how and why you got verified. https://twitter.com/...
@fellawhomstdve @fellawhomstdve on x
the idea that people *ask* for bluechecks is so unfathomably alien to me, I can't wrap my head around it https://twitter.com/...
@nbashaw Nathan Baschez on x
I hope they build a way to let verified people change their usernames. Lots of people change their real names! (Asking for a friend 😅) https://twitter.com/...
@johnwolfeyt John Wolfe on x
I'm glad they're doing public apps again, but annoyed that for “influencers” you either have to be trending on Google, have your own Wikipedia article, or have journalists write multiple articles about you (?!?) to be considered? 😐 https://twitter.com/...
@thetomzone @thetomzone on x
I can also get you a blue check mark. Send me an Ether https://twitter.com/...
@manishm Manish Maheshwari on x
Self-serve verify. No bitcoins needed. Not kidding. @verified https://blog.twitter.com/...
@mathewi Mathew Ingram on x
Guess I'm going to have to shut down my “Sure, I can totally get you verified” payment program https://www.theverge.com/...
@noahpinion Noah Smith on x
DOWN WITH THE TWITTER STATUS HIERARCHY!!! https://twitter.com/...
@hunterschwarz D. Hunter Schwarz on x
Twitter is letting anyone apply for verification for the first time since 2017 These are the 6 categories of accounts that can qualify for verification: https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@calebwatney Caleb Watney on x
Blue check hyperinflation, smh https://twitter.com/...
@twittersupport @twittersupport on x
You've asked for an update on verification. We've got one for you. The new in-app blue badge application process is now rolling out over the next few weeks — find it right in your account settings. 💙 https://twitter.com/...
@wongmjane Jane Manchun Wong on x
HERE IT IS!!!! I AM FINALLY FREED FROM MOST OF THE VERIFICATION REQUEST SPAM DMS!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYY https://twitter.com/...
@talkhoops Zach Harper on x
Just don't give the new verified accounts that $10 million per year we all get now for being verified https://twitter.com/...
@pashulman Peter A. Shulman on x
If these are all the categories that Twitter considers appropriate for verification status, it only points at the problem this app plays in elevating nonsense at the expense of expertise. Influencers? YUP. Academics? NO. Activist? SURE. Scholar? NOPE. https://twitter.com/...
@lucaswazowski Lucas Wagner on x
• Twitter says fictional characters aren't eligible to be Verified • @TedLasso is Verified • which means Ted Lasso is real https://twitter.com/...
@kayvz Kayvon Beykpour on x
Also, this means you can stop DMing me for verification requests :) #ThanksJack
@verified @verified on x
Check out more on our improved verification policy, the lowdown on the new application, and what we're working on next: https://blog.twitter.com/... And if you're planning to apply, follow this thread for what you need to know about our eligibility criteria 👇
@ashleymayer Ashley Mayer on x
*loses all interest in verification* https://techcrunch.com/...
@kurtwagner8 Kurt Wagner on x
New: Twitter is opening applications so you can apply for a blue checkmark. Anyone can apply, but you have to have a “notable” presence on Twitter to get approved. Only about ~360k people are verified right now https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@lindsmccallum @lindsmccallum on x
preview of the designs @ehikian and team are working on to make the profile more of a destination 👇 https://twitter.com/...
@luca Luca Hammer on x
You can get verified on Twitter once again. If you fit one of these groups - Government - Companies, brands and organizations - News organizations and journalists - Entertainment - Sports and gaming - Activists, organizers, other influential individuals https://blog.twitter.com/.…
@mikaelthalen Mikael Thalen on x
Twitter is finally bringing back verification: ‘Over the next few weeks, everyone on Twitter will start to see the new verification application directly in the Account Settings tab.’ https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@nmasc_ Natasha on x
remember when verified people weren't allowed to tweet for a hot sec?? high key that was one of my favorite twitter moments ever https://twitter.com/...
@sal19 @sal19 on x
Twitter reopens its verification process for first time since 2017 https://www.cnbc.com/... tip @Techmeme

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