As a content creator and marketer, I often see creators and brands clamoring for verification checkmarks on TikTok — and I understand the excitement. To be verified on TikTok is like getting a golden ticket to the chocolate factory.
It feels exclusive and rare, meaning you stand out from the crowd. And with TikTok predicted to be among the video-centric apps to see the most growth in 2024, standing out will be crucial.
A blue checkmark on TikTok doesn‘t mean you’ll automatically step into the celebrity world and get the red carpet treatment. However, I can guarantee it's a good look for your brand and a great step in growing your platform.
But how do you get verified on TikTok? It‘s actually a bit easier than you might think. Here’s how to get verified on TikTok and some tips I've gathered from being an endless scroller on the app.
And from being an experienced marketer, of course.
What does TikTok verification mean?
How many followers do you need to get verified on TikTok?
How to Grow Your TikTok and Boost Your Chances of Verification
What does TikTok verification mean?
At its core, TikTok verification means that the account is verified to belong to the person or brand it represents.
You've probably noticed that your favorite brands, musicians, creators, and public figures sport a blue checkmark next to their username. The checkmark means it's their actual account, and you are following the right person.
Why is TikTok verification important?
Let‘s be honest: It’s a bit of a status symbol. Being verified on TikTok lets your followers know you‘re not some imposter — but it also lets others know you’re worth following.
Think about it: TikTok users will see your verified profile and think, “This person is so important that people want extra assurance that it's them and not a bot or a faker.” It adds legitimacy to your platform and a slight sense of exclusivity.
Even I can admit my interest in some creators has been piqued by the appearance of a blue checkmark.
Status aside, a verification badge also builds trust with your followers and establishes authority in specific topics or industries on the platform.
For example, entertainment journalist Mona Kosar Abdi is verified on TikTok, so her followers know the news they‘re receiving comes from a legitimate and reliable source.
So, how do you get verified on TikTok? Let's dive in.
How to Get Verified on TikTok
In 2022, TikTok made it possible for users to apply for verification. Until then, it was up to a secret society behind the scenes to find creators and verify them as a reward for creating popular, high-quality content.
OK, it wasn't a secret society — just TikTok staff. Still, the process seemed really shrouded in secrecy, and it was always a delightful surprise for creators to log in and see that shiny blue checkmark.
Nowadays, creators can fill out a simple application to be verified, though the app still reserves the right to choose or decline someone for verification.
Here's how to apply:
- Open the TikTok App and click Profile in the bottom right corner.
- Click the menu in the top right corner (the three horizontal lines).
- Click Settings and Privacy.
- Tap Account.
- Tap Verification.
You'll need to meet three basic requirements to be eligible for verification:
- Have a username, bio, and profile photo
- Have verified your email and phone number
- Have turned off private account
You‘ll then need to select your verification type, which would be personal or institution. Personal means you’re a notable person, such as a celebrity, influencer, or journalist.
Institution means you're a nonprofit institution, such as an organization or university.
If you‘re a brand or company, you must register as a business account on TikTok and then follow the steps above. Not sure how to register a business account? Don't worry, I got you covered. Just click here.
Pro Tip: If you‘re registering as a person and not an institution or brand, make sure to have proof of ID on hand, such as a driver’s license or passport. You will be asked for proof of identity as you fill out your application.
Don't be like me and scramble for your wallet at the last minute.
Once you submit your application, you just have to play the waiting game for about 30 days — which is the time it takes for TikTok to read your submission.
During that time, you can binge-watch your favorite shows, go on a hiking trip, backpack across Europe, or watch paint dry. But, whatever you do, do not submit another application before the 30 days are up.
Doing so will only slow down the verification process.
However, if you're still not verified after 30 days, you can submit another request.
How many followers do you need to get verified on TikTok?
Contrary to popular belief, TikTok doesn‘t consider follower count or likes on a page when verifying users. I’ve seen pages with hundreds of thousand of followers not be verified, despite having gone viral or gained traction.
For example, one of my favorite creators, former beauty queen Taryn Delanie Smith, has over 1 million followers on TikTok and has gone viral several times. Yet, to my surprise, she's not verified!
Author Kaymie Wuerfel has over 260K followers and sports a blue checkmark on TikTok. So, don't worry too much about your follower count.
Instead of focusing on follower count, think about the quality of your content.
How to Grow Your TikTok and Boost Your Chances of Verification
If you want to give yourself the best chance at being verified on TikTok, follow these tips I've gathered based on the verified accounts I follow:
1. Be consistent.
According to TikTok, you must have logged into your account in the last six months to be eligible for verification. However, simply logging in isn't enough to give yourself the best odds.
You want to post frequently and consistently, like artist Kaarin Joy. Joy is an interior decorator who posts 1-2 TikToks a day detailing the different art and design projects she completes around her house.
I started following this creator when she had less than 1 million followers, so trust me when I say I definitely noticed her following dramatically increase when she went from posting every few days to once or twice per day.
So, I'm not surprised that she's amassed 2.4 million followers and the coveted blue checkmark on TikTok after years of consistent content.
You should also try posting at the most optimal time for your audience. Our research shows the best time to post on TikTok is between 6-9 PM, followed by 3-6 PM and 12-3 PM. But feel free to experiment to see what your audience prefers.
2. Keep track of media coverage.
This is less of a tip and more of a must-have, but I worry it's not something many creators or brands think about when applying for verification — media coverage!
According to TikTok, applicants must have been featured in multiple news sources to be considered for verification.
Press releases and sponsored or paid media do not count.
I've followed content creator and influencer Bretman Rock's career for almost 10 years. The entertainer has been featured in outlets such as Vogue, Insider, and Elite Daily — and, of course, is verified on TikTok.
So, if you have a video that's gone viral, take a minute to search yourself or your brand on Google or other search engines to see if your content was featured in any news outlets.
Make sure to bookmark or save whatever posts you find so you can submit them in your application.
Though press releases or sponsored media will not be considered in the application process, you can still use them to form relationships with journalists and news outlets, leading to genuine media coverage of your brand.
3. Be authentic.
I always shine a light on Keith Lee‘s platform when it’s time to discuss authenticity. The family man and food critic has made a name for himself on TikTok for simply being himself.
His commitment to providing genuine reactions to the food he tries and his transparency with his audience have made him stand out on TikTok and helped him earn his verification checkmark.
Pro Tip: Speaking of authenticity, make sure your username is similar to your business name. Notice Keith Lee's username is the same as his real name. Doing so makes it easier for TikTok to verify the account belongs to a real person.
4. Get creative.
Adventures in Arcadia is a TikTok account that blends food with role-play games like Dungeons & Dragons. Its most popular series on TikTok is Roll for Sandwich, where the host uses D&D dice and character sheets to craft a sandwich.
The TikTok trend of using D&D dice to randomly curate a meal started with Adventure in Arcadia, but it was soon picked up by other creators to make pizza, nachos, burritos, and more.
However, while all are entertaining in their own way, Adventures in Arcadia's Roll for Sandwich remains the most popular in the “Roll For Universe,” and the account is the only one of its kind to be verified.
While trying new TikTok trends doesn‘t always hurt, it’s best to be creative and craft your own lane in your niche. Doing so will help your platform grow, cultivate a dedicated audience, and give you a better shot at being verified on TikTok.
Getting verified on TikTok is a huge milestone for creators, marketers, and brands alike. It lends legitimacy to your platform, builds trust with your audience, and lets people know you’re an important person in your niche/industry.
Now that you know how to apply and boost your chances of getting that shiny blue checkmark, you have all the information you need to start your verification process. Good luck! Don‘t forget this post when you’re famous.
