Jane Manchun Wong, a Technology blogger and app researcher, is famous for uncovering new social media features before they launch. On Thursday, May 13th 2021, she shared on Twitter that the social media platform is planning to launch the new self-served Verification Request form next week.
I was told by multiple sources that Twitter plans to launch the new self-served Verification Request form next week https://t.co/vI4q63WwJe
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) May 13, 2021
In November last year, Twitter said it was planning to re-open public applications for profile verification to help shape its approach. Though the company, which claimed that users wrongly perceived verification (or the blue tick sign) as an endorsement, paused public requests in 2017.
We’re planning to relaunch verification in 2021, but first we want to hear from you.
Help us shape our approach to verification on Twitter by letting us know what you think. Take a look at our draft policy and submit your #VerificationFeedback here: https://t.co/0vmrpVtXGJ
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 24, 2020
“Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon,” the company tweeted four years ago.
Social Media Today gave confirmation in January that Twitter has provided more details on its revised verification guidelines, and when they would go into effect, while further noting that public applications would be re-opening “in the next couple of months“.
Now, it looks like Twitter is set. Jane Manchun Wong also recently shared some new screenshots of the updated verification request process, which guides users through the various steps and references required to apply for the coveted blue tick.
Twitter wants to restrict the new process to specific accounts that fall into these six categories:
- Activist, Organizer or Influencer
- Company, Brand or Organization
- Entertainers or Entertainment Groups
- Government Official or Affiliate
- Journalist or News Organization
- Professional Sports of e-Sports Entity
This means that not everyone will have access to the form – but then again, arguably, everyone is influential in some form, so you could always try to get away with that technicality.
But the requirements for applying do set a fairly high bar – for example, here are some of the evidence points needed to validate an ‘Influencer’ request:
So maybe not you, at least not yet – but maybe you’ll look to apply for your company, or you might have a client that qualifies in one of these categories.
If you do, you’ll likely soon have a way to find out – Wong’s tweet noting that Twitter will be looking to re-open applications next week has been liked by various Twitter staff, with even Twitter chief Kayvon Beykpour joining the discussion in the comments.
Which seems to add some weight to the claim. So you should probably start getting your application details in order, and gear up to embark on your quest for Twitter celebrity.
