Twitter 'blue tick' verification for all
AAP on July 20, 2016, 10:17 am
The Twitter "blue tick" badge normally reserved for the accounts of high-profile figures is to be made available to all users, the social media site has said.
An application process via an online form will now be available to every user of the micro-blogging site, Twitter said, adding that accounts "may be verified if determined to be of public interest".
Until now, the verification badge has been reserved for those on the site who are deemed official.
Twitter describes them as "public figures and organisations in music, TV, film, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key interest areas".
In a blog post announcing the new system, Twitter's Tina Bhatnagar said: "Our goal with this update is to help more people find great, high-quality accounts to follow, and for creators and influencers - no matter where they are in the world - to easily connect with a broader audience".
Those who wish to apply for a verification badge will still have to meet some criteria however, with accounts in question requiring a verified phone number, email address, website and public tweet settings attached to them.
Twitter has around 320 million monthly users, of whom about 187,000 are currently verified.
