What is TikTok’s blue checkmark?
The blue checkmark on TikTok indicates that an account is verified by the platform. It appears next to a user’s username on their profile and in search results as a blue check symbol (✓).
Verification on TikTok signals that the account is authentic, official, and popular. According to TikTok’s support page, “The blue verification badge helps distinguish popular, authentic accounts on TikTok” (source).
TikTok does not allow accounts to request verification. To earn the blue checkmark, an account has to stand out as high-quality and influential based on criteria like follower count, account uniqueness, and content engagement. Essentially, TikTok hand-picks accounts to verify that have built a substantial audience and gained popularity on the platform.
Why do people want the blue checkmark?
The blue checkmark badge on TikTok is seen as very desirable and confers several benefits to accounts that obtain it:
First, it gives an air of legitimacy and authority to a TikTok account. According to TikTok, the blue verified badge means the account has been confirmed to belong to the authentic person, brand or entity it represents [1]. Having the checkmark badge signals to viewers that the account is authentic, trustworthy and credible.
Second, verification unlocks more features and customization options. Verified accounts get access to a wider set of features like livestreaming, uploading longer videos, customizing the verified badge and more [2].
Finally, the badge increases the visibility and reach of posts. TikTok’s algorithm tends to favor verified accounts by boosting their distribution. This means verified accounts get more views, likes and comments on average [3].
For these reasons, many users aspire to get the blue verification badge which denotes status and influence on the platform.
Can you buy verification?
No, there is no official way to buy TikTok verification or pay to get verified. While some third-party services claim they can get your account verified for a fee, this goes against TikTok’s policies and could result in your account being banned.
TikTok’s verification system is meant to authenticate real accounts of notable public figures, brands, businesses, and organizations. According to TikTok’s verification policies, buying verification badges or guaranteed verification is prohibited.
TikTok warns that any service offering paid verification is likely a scam. The platform has strict criteria and an internal review process for handing out blue checkmarks. Attempting to manipulate or bypass this process through paid services often backfires.
While some users are tempted to pay for verification to gain credibility, it’s risky and against TikTok’s rules. The best approach is to organically build your account by creating great content that genuinely resonates with viewers.
What are the requirements for verification?
To get verified on TikTok, your account needs to meet certain requirements set by TikTok:
Authentic account for real person, brand or entity: Your account must represent a real person, brand, or entity. Fake, parody, or roleplay accounts are not eligible for verification according to TikTok’s help center.
Publicly notable: Your account needs to have established notability and be recognizable to the public. Having a substantial following can help demonstrate notability.
High quality content: You must consistently post high-quality, original videos that provide value to viewers. Low-quality or repetitive content makes it less likely your request will be approved.
How to improve your chances of getting verified
While buying verification is not possible, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of getting the blue checkmark:
Grow your audience. Having a large, engaged following signals that you are an influential and authentic creator on TikTok. Aim to accumulate at least 10,000 high-quality followers.
Post high quality, original content. TikTok looks for accounts that consistently share creative and entertaining videos that follow community guidelines. Strive to post content that provides value to viewers.
Promote your account. Let your followers on other platforms know about your TikTok account. Cross-promoting can help expose you to new audiences and grow your presence.
Interact with your followers. Reply to comments, create Hashtags and share Duets to build connections with your community.
Abide by TikTok’s community guidelines. Avoid posting prohibited, dangerous or misleading content. Show you are a trusted creator.
Be patient. Verification is not instantaneous. Focus on catering to your audience and improvement will follow.
Verification request process
To request verification on TikTok, open the app and go to your profile page. Tap on the menu icon in the top right and select “Settings and privacy”. Then go to “Account” and tap on “Request verification”.
TikTok will then prompt you to provide information to prove your identity and notability. This may include links to websites, news articles, or other evidence that establishes you as a notable public figure, celebrity, or brand. According to TikTok’s support page, they review accounts to ensure they meet their verification criteria.
After submitting the request, TikTok will review your account and provided information. Their team aims to get back to users within 30 days. However, the wait time can vary depending on how busy they are. Patience is key during the TikTok verification process. Continuing to post great, engaging content can help boost your chances for approval.
Why you may get rejected
There are a few common reasons your TikTok verification request may get rejected:
Don’t meet notability requirements – To qualify for verification, your account needs to demonstrate substantial notoriety, prominence, or fame. TikTok looks at factors like your follower count, views, engagement, and whether you’re noteworthy in your field. If you don’t meet the threshold, you’ll likely get rejected.
Violated community guidelines – Accounts that have been suspended or repeatedly violate TikTok’s community guidelines are unlikely to get verified. TikTok wants to uphold certain standards with verification, so a clean record is important.
Fake engagement – Using bots, fake views, fake followers or other artificial means to inflate your popularity will not only get your verification rejected but could also get you banned. TikTok can detect inauthentic activity and wants verified accounts to have genuine, organic growth.
According to users on Reddit, verification requests often get rejected immediately because the system couldn’t verify their identity or account history. So having complete and accurate info associated with your account is also key.
Appealing a Rejection
If your request for verification is rejected, you can appeal the decision by understanding why you were initially rejected and taking steps to improve your account before reapplying.
TikTok will provide a reason for the rejection, such as having an inactive account or insufficient proof of authenticity. Review this carefully to understand where your application fell short. You may need to build up your account more before trying again.
During the 30 day waiting period before reapplying, focus on improving your account. Post more original, high-quality content that showcases your expertise. Engage more with your audience through comments, captions, and hashtags. Build up your follower count and engagement metrics organically.
You can also email TikTok at [email protected] to get clarification or ask questions about the rejection if needed. This can provide more specific guidance on strengthening your application.
With persistence and dedication to improving your account, you’ll eventually be able to obtain the coveted blue verification checkmark.
Other ways to gain legitimacy
Although the blue verification badge may seem like the ultimate seal of approval on TikTok, there are other ways to establish your legitimacy and authority as a creator without formal verification:
Increase followers organically. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Use relevant hashtags, captions, and sounds to reach new viewers. Aim to build an authentic, growing fanbase who value your content.
Use branding in your content. Have a consistent look and feel with logos, color schemes, etc. This helps establish your professional brand and legitimacy. You can also add links to your website or other social channels in your bio.
Link other social accounts. Having an established presence on other major platforms like Instagram, Twitter or YouTube can lend credibility on TikTok. Make sure to link to these profiles.
While the blue badge is a nice bonus, remember that consistency, high-quality content and growing your organic reach are the most important ways to build authority and trust with your followers.
Focus on great content
Verification is not everything. While the blue checkmark may lend some credibility, it does not guarantee success on TikTok. Many top creators and brands find huge audiences without verification. Rather than obsessing over the blue checkmark, it’s more important to focus on creating great, engaging content.
Great content leads to success. The algorithm favors videos that get a high level of engagement and shares. Spend time understanding your audience and crafting creative videos that resonate with them. Use relevant trends, hashtags and sounds to reach new viewers. Focus on building relationships with your community through consistency, interaction and value. Quality content that people love will drive organic growth regardless of verification status.
As WWE demonstrates, you can become one of the most followed brands on TikTok without verification (source). Put your energy into your content strategy rather than buying verification. If you create must-see videos, TikTok will take notice and consideration for verification will follow.
