Plus Tips to Help You Get Verified on TikTok
Many platforms offer verification. The benefits of getting verified differ depending on the platform. If you are using TikTok to build your personal brand as a creator, or as a business, it’s worth figuring out whether you should get verified on the platform and the benefits of it. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of getting verified plus how to get verified on TikTok.
What is TikTok Verification and What are the Benefits of It?
Getting verified on TikTok means having a blue checkmark on your account, displayed next to your account’s name on the profile page, feeds, comments, and search results. This checkmark signifies that TikTok has confirmed the account belongs to the business or figure it represents.
Verification is usually reserved for celebrities, brands, non-profits, and public figures, as they are often the biggest targets for impersonation. However, you don’t have to be super famous to get verified on TikTok; accounts of all sizes have earned the checkmark.
The benefits are two-fold. It not only can help protect your account better from impersonation, which helps maintain a positive online reputation, but it also helps build credibility and trust with your target audience. The checkmark instantly communicates the account is real, which can be especially important for brands and public figures.
Users are also more likely to engage with content from verified accounts, which can lead to higher visibility and potential for growth. It can especially help boost brand awareness for businesses.
Sometimes, TikTok gives verified accounts early access to new features before they are available to the public. Having this early access can give you a head start on learning how to best use those features for your content creation, giving you an edge over competitors.
Requirements for Verification
If you think verification is right for your brand, there’s five criteria that you must fulfill before TikTok will consider your request.
- Be Active: You must have logged into the platform within the last six months and you should be posting and engaging actively to give yourself the best chance of getting verified.
- Authenticity: Your account must represent a real business, person, or organization and your username should be similar to your business name and your email domain. Typically, TikTok only verifies one account per business, with some exceptional cases (such as having multiple regional or language-specific accounts).
- Complete Profile: Your TikTok account must be filled out with a name, bio copy, and profile photo. Your account must be public and have at least one published post.
- Notable: This is perhaps the most crucial criteria. Your brand or business has to have been featured in multiple pieces from established news sources, which can help verify the notability of your business. Press releases and paid media placements do not count.
- Secure: To prevent fraud and hacking attempts, your account must be secured with 2-factor authentication and a validated, verified email address.
How to Get Verified on TikTok
Previously, TikTok had its own secret verification system where staff would choose which accounts to verify based on having high-quality, popular videos. Today, TikTok allows users to request verification. (Note: this feature is still rolling out worldwide and may not appear for all users.)
To request verification in the TikTok app, tap the profile button at the bottom, then tap the 3 bar menu button at the top. Go into Settings and Privacy, then tap on Account. From there, tap on Verification. Then all you have to do is follow the steps in the app to request verification.
If for some reason you can’t request verification through the mobile app, you can submit your request on your computer through their online form. In the attachments section, we recommend uploading at least 4 examples of media coverage and proof of verification on other platforms.
Just a few notes–if you’re registered in TikTok as a business account, you can only apply for business verification. If you’re registered as a personal account, you can apply for personal and institutional verifications.
Once your application is submitted, TikTok may take up to 30 days to review your request. If TikTok denies your request, they will provide feedback explaining why. You can re-apply for verification 30 days after you receive the feedback.
Tips For Getting Verified
To boost your chances of getting verified on TikTok, here are some tips:
- Focus on quality content.
- Become known for a specific niche or style.
- Get on the FYP (For You Page) by creating shareworthy content, encouraging comments, and leaning into trends on the platform.
- Post consistently, this generally means posting engaging content daily.
- Get verified on other platforms, such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram.
- Have a TikTok Creator Manager/advertising contact; if you’ve run ads on the platform, chances are you have an account manager that you can ask to help expedite your application.
- Get media coverage.
- Build a presence outside of social media–some creators or business owners become public speakers at conferences or start their own podcast.
- Respect the platform’s guidelines by staying in good standing.
Final Thoughts
Becoming verified on TikTok means jumping through a few hoops, but once you become verified, it can come with some great benefits. One is that it protects your account better from impersonation. That in turn means more credibility and trustworthiness of your account in the eyes of users. It also can help boost engagement and exposure, helping to grow your presence and audience on the platform.