How to Get Verified on TikTok

To get verified on TikTok, apply in the app under Profile > Menu > Settings and privacy > Account > Verification. Verification is free, and there is no follower minimum. TikTok checks that your account is active, authentic, complete, notable and secure. For most people, the hard part is notability. TikTok may look at independent media coverage, such as news articles about you, to judge whether you are publicly known.

What does the blue check mean on TikTok?

The blue check next to a username is TikTok's verified badge. It means TikTok has confirmed the account really belongs to the person or brand it represents, not a fan or parody account. It does not mean TikTok endorses what the account posts. Only TikTok can add the badge, and it always appears next to the username. A "verified" emoji or symbol placed in a bio does not count.

Who can get verified on TikTok?

TikTok offers three types of verification. Pick the one that matches your account. TikTok says choosing the wrong type can delay the review or mean you have to apply again.

TikTok verification requirements in 2026

TikTok reviews five things. In its own words, follower count and likes alone do not decide eligibility, and "it's not a popularity contest".

• Active: you have logged in recently and published at least one public post.
• Authentic: the account represents a real person, business or organisation. Your account name, profile, content and the documents you submit should all match the identity you want verified.
• Complete: the account is public and has a profile photo, an account name, a bio and at least one public post. It should be clear who or what the account represents.
• Notable: TikTok may look at independent media coverage and other reliable public information to judge whether you are publicly known.
• Secure: your phone number and email address are verified, and two-step verification is turned on.

What counts as media coverage for TikTok verification?

TikTok says strong supporting coverage generally:

• Comes from an independent, recognised media outlet
• Is mainly about you, not a passing mention
• Has a publication date and can be opened for review
• Is not sponsored, paid or promotional
• Is not a press release, personal blog or social media post

Submit direct links to the original articles. TikTok says search results, screenshots, media homepages and repeated copies of the same article may not be accepted.

How to request verification on TikTok

TikTok now takes applications in the mobile app. Its old web form points you back to the app. Before you start, get your profile and security settings in order so nothing holds up the review.

1. 1Tidy your profile. Make the account public. Add a clear profile photo, an account name that matches who you are, and a bio. Make sure at least one post is public.
2. 2Secure the account. Verify your phone number and email address, and turn on two-step verification in your security settings.
3. 3Gather your coverage. Collect direct links to independent articles about you or your organisation. Leave out press releases, sponsored posts and blogs.
4. 4Open the Verification screen. In the TikTok app, tap Profile, then the Menu icon, then Settings and privacy, then Account, then Verification.
5. 5Choose a type and submit. Pick Personal, Business or Institution, then follow the in-app steps and add your article links.

Can you pay to get verified on TikTok?

No. TikTok says verification is completely free and that anyone claiming to sell you a TikTok verification is not with TikTok. TikTok also says it will never DM or email you asking you to apply for a badge. If you get a message like that, treat it as a scam and report it. This is one of the main differences from Instagram, which has a paid route. See our guide on how to get verified on Instagram for how that works.

How many followers do you need to get verified on TikTok?

TikTok does not set a follower number. Its own FAQ answers this question with a plain "No": follower count alone does not determine eligibility. You will find articles claiming you need 10,000, 50,000 or even 100,000 followers. None of these come from TikTok. They are guesses based on which accounts happen to have the badge.

A large audience can still help indirectly. Creators with big followings are more likely to be written about, and that press coverage is what TikTok asks for. But followers on their own will not get you approved, and that includes bought followers. TikTok's Community Guidelines do not allow the trade of services that artificially boost engagement, and TikTok says it removes fake followers and likes it detects. If you want to grow first, start with our guide to getting your first 1,000 followers on TikTok.

Why was my TikTok verification rejected?

TikTok does not publish a list of rejection reasons. Based on its published criteria, these are common reasons a request may fall short:

• Not enough independent coverage. No articles, or only press releases, sponsored posts, blogs or social posts.
• Weak links. Screenshots, search results or homepages instead of direct links to the articles.
• Incomplete profile. A private account, no bio or photo, or no public posts.
• Security not set up. Unverified phone or email, or two-step verification turned off.
• Mismatched details. Your account name or bio does not match the identity in your application.
• Wrong verification type. For example, applying as Personal for a business account.

You can apply again. TikTok says you can reapply once you are eligible to, and asks you to make sure your account details and supporting materials are accurate, complete and up to date first. Many third-party guides say the wait is 30 days, but the TikTok page we checked does not give a number, so go by what the app tells you.

How to keep your TikTok verified badge

Once you have the badge, a few changes will remove it. TikTok lists these:

• Changing your username. The badge is removed and you need to reapply.
• Switching account type, such as business to personal or the other way round. You need a new application.
• The account changing hands. A new owner needs their own verification.
• Repeated or serious rule breaks of the Community Guidelines or Terms of Service.

You also cannot ask TikTok to remove the badge yourself. If a rule break limits your account, our guide to the TikTok shadowban explains how restrictions and appeals work.

Is verification worth chasing?

The badge helps people know your account is the real one. That matters most if you are being impersonated or run an established brand. TikTok does not list it as a requirement for features such as LIVE or monetisation, which have their own rules. If earning is your goal, read how many followers you need to get paid on TikTok instead. For most growing creators, regular posting and press-worthy work will do more than chasing the check.