In case you didn’t know, @Capitalfm_Kenya is now verified. It’s a big deal so allow us the celebratory dance. We humbly submit that we are the first radio station and the second media outlet in the region to be verified on twitter. Getting Twitter to verify your account is not an easy 1-2-3 step.
Your account doesn’t get the blue verified badge just because you have thousands of tweets or you are a twitter bigwig. Twitter uses its discretion to verify accounts and assure users that the account is authentic.
“We concentrate on highly sought users in music, acting, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, advertising, business and other key interest areas. We verify individuals at high risk of impersonation,” states Twitter on their support page.
You can’t rally your followers to petition Twitter to verify your account. That doesn’t work. Twitter is not a democracy though it helps if other verified accounts recommend you and in some circumstances, Twitter will identify a potentially high profile user and initiate the verification process. But you can also submit your account for verification and wait for Twitter to respond.
“If you think you meet the criteria for verification and have not yet received a badge, please be patient. We are working within key interest areas to verify accounts that are sought after by other Twitter users,” Twitter recommends.
In case you are you are wondering, ‘why can’t I design a similar blue badge and add to my account?’ This is why:
“The verified badge cannot be used unless it is provided by Twitter. Accounts using a badge as part of profile pictures, background images, or in any way implying false verification will be permanently suspended,” warns the Twitter support team.
So now that you are verified, does this make you a special tweep? Actually, yes, it does.
A verified account appears on the ‘recommended wall of fame’ where users get a suggestion on whom to follow in different categories; Very crucial to gaining followers new to Twitter or in your geo-location.
Your followers can DM you without necessarily following-back or you can respond to tweets with an option to exclude the responses on the time line. This helps to manage your twitter conversations.
The clear advantage a verified account has is the credibility it adds to your account, brand or channel. Twitter has officially recognized you as an ‘authentic authority’.
But with great privilege comes greater responsibility. Your twitter followers expect and demand more of you.
