A blue tick badge or checkmark icon is the confirmation that an account of public interest is the real deal. Major brands, celebrities and other notable figures are prone to being impersonated – anyone with a connection to the Internet can pretend to be them, spread misinformation, scam their fans and customers. A verified badge is used to separate public figures from imposters.

Since a checkmark next to a name is a symbol of authenticity and notoriety, it’s an important milestone many musicians and other artists are looking forward to. The process of getting the verified badge on social media platforms and streaming services has become easier over the last few years. You no longer need to be a world-renowned star with millions of followers to be eligible for the verification, but the requirements differ from platform to platform.

Let’s take a look at the specific parameters and steps required to get verified on various streaming services and social media sites in 2022.

Spotify

Spotify may not be the most artist-friendly platform in terms of royalties payout, but it’s definitely one of the least demanding when it comes to verification. Back in the day Spotify required having at least 250 followers on the platform to get verified, however, it was ditched in recent years. Now literally any musician can register as an artist and easily get the badge next to their name. Here is how to go about it:

1. Go to the Spotify for Artists page and sign in.
   
2. Click Get Access at the top right corner.
   
3. Enter your (stage) name or paste the link to your artist page if you already have one.
   
4. Fill in a few questions about yourself. Spotify will ask your first and last name, business email address, and your role (artist or manager).
   
5. Click Next. Connect one of your social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter) or just paste the link to your artist website if you have one.
   
6. Click Submit to send your application.
   

Wait some time. It may take a few days to confirm your submission for verification. Use this time to prepare your Spotify artist account – add pictures, update your bio, upload new music, organize the content and set your Artist Pick.

It’s also a good idea to check out popular and relevant niche playlists and consider applying – see our in-depth guide on how to get placed on Spotify playlists.

Once your your verification submission was approved, you will see the blue tick next to your artist name. After that you will also get access to the analytics and learn who listens to your music.

Apple Music

The verification process on Apple Music is pretty much identical to that of Spotify. Here is what you need to do:

1. Go to Apple Music for Artists.
   
2. Click Sign In at the top right corner. Enter using your Apple ID.
   
3. Click Request Artist Access.
   
4. Input your artist name in the search field to find the link to your artist page.
   
5. Copy and paste the artist page link to search.
   
6. Select one of your albums. It’s needed to ensure you are claiming the correct page.
   
7. Choose your role (artist or manager), then fill out the required application fields.
   
8. Connect or several of your social media accounts.
   

Your application will be reviewed and approved in about 2 days. If all information is correct, you will get the verification with no problem.

Tidal

Tidal is one of the most generous in terms of royalties payout, however, their program for artists is still in the making. The only way to claim your artist page, verify it and get money for streams is to go through one of the music distributors – Tidal’s partners are currently CD Baby, DistroKid, STEM, Symphonic and TuneCore. If you aren’t working with them, you can contact Tidal directly to figure out your options.

Deezer

Follow the steps below to claim your artist page on Deezer:

1. Go to Deezer for Creators.
   
2. Click the Request Access button.
   
3. Select your role (artist, manager, label or provider).
   
4. Connect your Facebook to ensure quicker access and verification.
   
5. Tick the checkbox to agree to Deezer's terms and conditions.
   
6. Click Submit.

SoundCloud

From this point getting verified becomes more challenging. Unlike streaming platforms where you only need to provide artist information and call it a day, SoundCloud additionally requires you to meet their parameters to be eligible for verification.

SoundCloud requirements for a verified badge application:

1. Your account represents a well-known or highly searched-for artist.
   
2. Your account doesn’t have any misleading information.
   
3. Your account adheres to SoundCloud terms of use.
   
4. Your account has a bio, profile picture and at least one track uploaded.
   

How to apply for a SoundCloud verified badge:

1. Log in to your SoundCloud account on your computer.
   
2. Open your settings.
   
3. Click the Request verification button.
   

It could take up to a month to review your application. For Pro Unlimited subscribers the review time is shorter. If your request is rejected, you can reapply for verification in 30 days.

YouTube

Musicians can create Official Artist Channels on YouTube with tools for automatic (and manual) content organization, promotion, and fan engagement. There is a handful of requirements you need to meet if you want to be eligible for an Official Artist Channel:

1. Own an active YouTube channel that represents you as an artist.
   
2. Have 3 or more releases on YouTube delivered by a label or music distributor.
   
3. Have no YouTube policy violations on the channel.
   

In addition, at least one of the following is a must:

1. Working with a YouTube Partner Manager.
   
2. Being part of the YouTube Partner Program.
   
3. Your channel being part of a label network that works with YouTube Partner manager.
   
4. Your music being distributed by one of the Music Service Partners.
   

Once you successfully get an Official Artist Channel through your label, distributor, or YouTube partner manager, it will be automatically verified as authentic.

Twitter

The criteria your Twitter account needs to meet in order to be qualified for verification:

1. An account must be authentic. You will have to confirm your identity. Depending on the category you choose in the beginning of the verification process, you will be asked to either provide the link to an official website that represents you, send a photo of your ID (passport or driver’s license) or an official email address.
   
2. An account must be notable. It should represent or be associated with a prominently recognized individual. Some of the ways to prove your notoriety are having news coverage, Wikipedia page, presence on Google Trends, high follower/mention count.
   
3. An account must be active. It should be complete with a profile photo, display name and bio. Your account needs to be confirmed (by email address or phone number) and be public at the time of the application. You must have logged into that account in the last six months. What’s more, it’s important that your account doesn’t have any violations of Twitter rules.
   

How to request the account verification on Twitter:

1. Open Twitter, then click More within the list on the left.
   
2. Click the Settings and privacy in the drop-down menu.
   
3. Select the Account information category.
   
4. Enter your password.
   
5. Click Request verification.
   
6. Proceed to enter the information about your account.

Instagram

Eligibility requirements for requesting Instagram account verification:

1. Authentic account that follows Instagram's terms of use and community guidelines.
   
2. Public and complete account that has a bio and a profile photo.
   
3. Active account that has a few posts. Make sure to perform some actions on the platform before applying. Posting new content isn’t necessary if you’ve already got some content on your page, but make sure to engage with others – like, comment, (un)follow.
   
4. Notable – the most important requirement. That’s where you may have to jump through some hoops. Instagram doesn’t verify random accounts, and having a lot of followers is not a key factor. What you need is to prepare links to multiple news articles about you or mentioning you, that’s what truly counts. To make it even more hard, Instagram doesn’t consider paid-for/sponsored content as legitimate sources.
   

If you haven’t yet gained as much recognition in the media as Instagram requires, it’s best to spend some time to prepare and gain more exposure before you apply for verification. Contact some outlets, maybe even hire a PR person to help you get your name out there.

Claim a Google knowledge panel, get your name mentioned in a dozen of publications, add more personalized content on your social media – not just album cover art and logos, but your own photos. All of that is going to help you build a compelling case and significantly increase your chances of getting verified on Instagram.

After you’ve done that, follow the steps below to apply for verification:

1. Go to Settings.
   
2. Open the Account tab.
   
3. Click Request verification.
   
4. Enter your full name and provide a photo of your ID (passport or other government-issued documents).
   
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
   

Expect the results in up to 30 days after applying, you will receive a notification in Activity.

If the request is denied, you can reapply in 30 days. Don’t apply multiple times in a row, it won’t up your chances to get verified – Instagram states that such behavior actually cancels your application all together.

Facebook

Many believe that once you get a verified badge on Instagram, you automatically get verified on Facebook and vice versa (since they’re owned by the same company). It’s not true, you have to apply for verification on each of the platforms separately.

Facebook and Instagram have the same eligibility requirements. Check them above and fill out this form to request verification on Facebook.

TikTok

TikTok is the hardest row to hoe. The platform doesn’t even offer the possibility to apply for verification! If you’re popular enough and your content is doing good numbers, you will be rewarded with the verified badge. TikTok has a dedicated team that seeks out celebrities, big creators, influencers and brands.

In order to be one of the few selected, you have to match pretty much the same criteria as on other social media platforms – be a notable figure with an authentic, unique, active account, and, of course adhere to TikTok terms and conditions.

What’s going to help you get noticed is being consistent with your posting schedule, keeping your audience engaged, grow the following and going viral. It’s all easier said than done – if you don’t have enough time, creative juices or money on a TikTok manager or a PR person, it’s better to spend your resources on mastering your craft and gradually get featured in more and more media outlets. This way you will grow your notoriety organically and likely get picked up by TikTok without extra work.

P.S.

On the way to earning checkmark badges, you are likely to stumble upon offers to purchase verification – avoid them like the plague. Anyone attempting to sell the verified badges is running a scam and violating policies of the platforms.

Even if these sellers manage to actually provide you with the badge, the risk that it will be detected is greater than you may think. After this kind of policy violation you can get banned for good and lose all your audience, connections, content, etc. – you will be forced to start from scratch. Be safe!

Good luck! Wish you get as many blue badges as possible!

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