Twitter will once again accept account verification requests early next year, the social network announced this week. When the program re-opens, there will be new guidelines for users who are looking to get the little blue checkmark next to their Twitter handle.
While a new verification system has been rumored since June of this year, this is the first official verification from the company. Twitter is asking for feedback on its draft proposal for verification.
“We plan to relaunch verification, including a new public application process, in early 2021,” the company said. “But first, we need to update our verification policy with your help. This policy will lay the foundation for future improvements by defining what verification means, who is eligible for verification and why some accounts might lose verification to ensure the process is more equitable.”
If the proposed verification process stays intact, accounts that will be eligible for verification will include government officials, companies, brands and nonprofit organizations, news outlets and freelance journalists, entertainment and sports, activists, organizers, and other influential individuals.
If the profile becomes inactive or incomplete, Twitter could strip the account of its verification. Also, users that don’t adhere to the social network’s rules can also lose their verified status.
Twitter is asking users to fill out a brief survey on the proposed draft verification policy. The company says it is also working with local non-governmental organizations and its Trust and Safety Council to ensure as many perspectives are represented as possible.
For users that prefer to Tweet their feedback, Twitter will be watching there, too. Use the hashtag #VerificationFeedback.
The public feedback period started on November 24, 2020, and continues until December 8, 2020. At that point, Twitter will review public feedback on this policy and train their teams on this new approach. The company’s goal is to introduce the final policy on December 17, 2020.