The short answer
You apply inside the app. Go to Profile, tap the Menu button, then Settings and privacy, then Account, then Verification. TikTok checks if your account is active, real, notable and unique. Follower count is not part of the decision.
What the badge means and what TikTok checks
The badge is a blue check mark next to a name. It shows in search results and on the profile. It means TikTok has reviewed the account and it is the real person, business or brand it claims to be.
The badge is not a prize for being popular. TikTok says it is not an endorsement. It is a trust signal for viewers.
TikTok’s help page on verified accounts lists four things it looks for:
- Recognized. Your account has a name, a profile photo, a bio and at least one public post.
- Active. You logged in within the past six months.
- Authentic. The account is a real person, business or institution. People confirm their identity. Businesses need a Verified Business Account or an Organization Account. Institutions need proof of who they are.
- Notable. You are featured in multiple news sources. Paid or sponsored media does not count. Social media posts do not count. Old or off-topic articles do not count.
TikTok also says the account must be unique, and it must follow the Community Guidelines. Strikes hurt your case.
How many followers do you need?
None. TikTok says it does not look at follower or like counts when it grants a badge. There is no hidden number to reach.
This surprises people. Big accounts get rejected. Small accounts with real press get approved. What matters is news coverage and a real identity, not size. You can check any account’s live number with our free TikTok counter, but that number will not decide your case.
How to apply, step by step
- Open TikTok and tap Profile at the bottom.
- Tap the Menu button at the top.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Tap Account.
- Tap Verification.
- Tap Start and follow the steps.
You will need proof. TikTok asks for written media coverage, such as news articles. Have your links ready before you start. Government and political accounts can only apply as institutions.
What happens after you apply
TikTok says it sends the result within 30 days. It comes as a notification in the app, not as a DM.
If you are rejected, TikTok shows the reason and a waiting period. You can apply again once that period ends. TikTok does not publish how long the wait is, so check your notice for the date.
Most rejections come down to a few gaps:
- Your press links are paid, sponsored, or from your own social accounts.
- Your news mentions are old, or they are not about you.
- Your profile is missing a photo, a bio or a public post.
- Your business account does not have VBA or OA status.
- Your account has recent guideline strikes.
- Your growth came from fake or artificial activity. TikTok says it can deny or remove a badge for this.
| What helps | What does not help |
|---|---|
| Real news articles about you | Follower or like count |
| A complete profile with public posts | Paying someone for a badge |
| A confirmed identity or business status | Sponsored or paid articles |
| A clean record on the Community Guidelines | Your own social media posts |
Fix the gap, wait out the period, and apply again with better proof.
You cannot buy the badge
TikTok does not charge for the badge. It says anyone selling verification is not linked to TikTok, and it asks you to report them. A “verification agent” who wants a fee is a scam. So is a seller who wants your login.
TikTok also does not contact people by email or DM to ask them to apply. The only exception is government and political accounts. If a message says “verify your account here,” it is phishing. Do not tap the link. Report it in the app.
Instagram works in a different way. Meta Verified is a paid subscription that includes a badge, extra support and protection from impersonation. TikTok has no paid option. The only path is the free application above.
Can TikTok remove the badge?
Yes, at any time and without notice. TikTok lists these reasons:
- You changed your username without sending a request to TikTok first.
- The account changed owners.
- A business account lost its VBA or OA status.
- Repeated or severe rule violations.
If you want to drop your own badge, open the Verification page and tap TikTok Support at the top.
Growing while you wait
The badge follows notability, not the other way round. Work on the things that make news outlets write about you. Our guide on how to get more followers on TikTok covers what works, and how many followers you need to get paid explains the money side.
Famoid sells TikTok followers, likes and views. That can raise your numbers, but it will not get you a badge. Followers do not cause verification, and TikTok can deny a badge for artificial activity. Buy for reach, not for the check mark.