When Twitter first introduced account verification in 2009, it was seen as status symbol. Denoted by a blue badge icon, verified accounts on Twitter allowed people to identify the authentic accounts of key individuals and organizations.
An account may be verified if it is determined to be of public interest. Typically this includes accounts maintained by public figures and organizations in music, TV, film, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key interest areas.
Many people have been trying to get their accounts verified but there are only about 187,000 verified accounts as it has been an elusive identifier to obtain.
Twitter intends to make the application process easier as it announced today that it has created an online application process for accounts to receive verified status.
“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. “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.”
The @CDCgov was one of the first Twitter accounts to be verified in order to help citizens find authentic and accurate public health information straight from the source. Among the other first accounts to be verified include @NASAArmstrong, @KimKardashian, @Oprah, @MilwaukeePolice, @SF311, and @TonyHawk.
The application process will start rolling out today and be available globally this week.
People can learn more about the application process in the Twitter Help Center.
