Out of 4.8 billion global internet users, 1 billion visit TikTok every month. Though this video-sharing platform only hit the scene in 2016, it already ranks as the sixth most popular social media platform, surpassing Twitter, Pinterest, and Snapchat. TikTok is the hottest new platform, and content creators are clamoring to receive their verification status.
The Benefits of TikTok Verification
To stand out from the millions uploading and exchanging videos on TikTok, you need credibility, which you can gain from having your account verified. When TikTok users see a blue checkmark next to a content creator’s name, they know that account is well-known and trusted. If you want people to take your TikTok account seriously, this is the way to do it.
People frequently create bogus “mirror” channels to steal viewers’ attention, and trolls or other bad actors might try to pass themselves off as you or your business for any number of malicious purposes. TikTok verification proves to your audience that your account not only belongs to you (and no one else), but shows that you can be trusted as a reliable and credible source of information. With that sought-after blue checkmark on your account, your followers will far more easily be able to cross-reference in the event that anyone else tries to offer them information in your name.
Along with greater credibility, the little blue check that comes with getting TikTok verified lends your account an element of prestige. And since the platform’s algorithm tends to more often favor and promote content from verified accounts, you’ll gain the benefit of more frequent exposure to your current followers as well as a broader audience of potential ones.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of having your TikTok account verified is the ability to monetize it in a variety of ways. For example, as a verified influencer, you have the potential to promote a certain product in a sponsored video, which — depending on your niche and the loyalty of your following — could help establish a long-running collaboration with a sponsored brand you value.
Finding Out If You’re Eligible for TikTok Verification
The good news is that, at least as of August 2023, TikTok’s verification process is open to anyone. The bad news, however, is that the details regarding how the platform evaluates applications for verification aren’t exactly clear or transparent. Here’s what we know:
- To begin the verification process, you must have an active public (not private) TikTok account.
- Whether you are attempting to verify your personal account or one for a business, your account’s profile has to be fully completed in order for it to be authenticated, meaning it must include the following information:
- Your name
- Your bio
- A profile photo
- At least one TikTok video posted
- For business accounts, you will also need to include a verifiable email domain that represents the business, organization, or entity seeking verification. For example, mine would have to end with “@otterpr.com”.
- Additionally, your account must show activity within the past 6 months of starting the verification process. While having only one video posted four or five months ago won’t necessarily hurt your chances at verification, the more active you are, and the more content you post, the better your chances will be.
- Your account must be 100% authentic — TikTok won’t consider verification for any accounts that parody or imitate other users.
- The last step to getting verified on TikTok requires a level of notoriety, which is made easier if your name, brand, or organization has been highlighted in news outlets and received some significant online engagement. Although this isn’t necessarily needed, consider how much easier it would be for a well-known international brand name to get verified over an up-and-coming influencer.
Applying for TikTok Verification
Until recently, TikTok did not provide a portal that allowed creators to submit their applications for verification. Prior to this being implemented, you needed to have a direct contact at TikTok submit your case and move it up the ladder.
To request verification on TikTok’s new portal, simply open the TikTok app and select your profile in the app’s lower-right corner, then tap “Menu” in the top right. Select “Settings and Privacy,” then “Manage Account.” Tap where you see “Verification,” click “Start,” and follow the on-screen prompts to finish the process and submit your case.
Here’s the thing: for some reason, not all TikTok users have access to this new function just yet. Luckily, even if you don’t see the verification option on your “Account Settings” page, you can still submit a case to request verification on TikTok’s site.
Once you complete the online form, the next step is perhaps the most difficult one in the process: waiting. TikTok’s verification team will analyze your request and get back to you within a few days with their decision.
Improving Your Chances of Being Verified on TikTok
If you’re worried about your chances of getting verified on TikTok, remember that the key is to optimize your account as much as possible. Start by making sure you have an updated picture and clearly outline who you are in your profile’s bio, including links to your website and other social media accounts.
To grow your profile’s visibility in search results, try including more relevant hashtags and keywords on the content you post, repost, and comment on, and post a few new videos on your account that include these. This is especially helpful if those videos are targeted more toward a general audience, since receiving a sudden influx of new followers and engagement will skyrocket your account’s activity and credibility.
Of course, don’t ignore the importance of producing material meant to foster interest and engagement from your current followers or targeted viewers. Depending on your audience and the type of account you have, the type and frequency of engagement you’re after can alter significantly, so ensure you’re posting as often as you can. Whether it’s a couple of times each week or even once per day, your followers will start waiting for your content to appear on their “For You Page.” And as more users engage with your material, it will get linked to even more users’ pages.
Still, at least as far as TikTok’s verification team is concerned, the quantity of your account’s content is more crucial than its quality. The most difficult part of getting verified on TikTok is probably uploading consistently since the platform only checks popular accounts for authenticity. Essentially, if you aren’t posting regularly, you may not make the cut.
Building this strong presence on TikTok requires constant interaction, meaning the more you engage with those who repost or comment on your content, the better your chances will be at obtaining that coveted blue checkmark badge. Although this can feel awkward at first, try replying to some of the most-liked comments on your posts and go from there.
Even if you meet all of the standards and have a perfectly optimized profile, winning the blue check mark is not a given. Every day, thousands of users ask TikTok to verify their accounts, and the majority of them are declined. If you’re one of them, don’t get discouraged — TikTok’s verification process is extremely rigorous. Keep creating high-quality material, continue engaging with your followers, and try again until you get that little blue badge of honor.
