X (formerly Twitter) verification now works through paid subscriptions rather than an application based on how notable you are. A blue checkmark comes with an X Premium subscription for individuals, a gold checkmark comes with X’s subscription for organisations (now called Premium Business), and a grey checkmark is reserved for government and multilateral accounts. The old free “legacy” verification ended in 2023.

For a small business, the question is less “how do I get verified?” and more “is it worth paying for?” This guide explains how Twitter verification works in 2026, what each checkmark means, what X currently publishes about eligibility and pricing, and how we advise clients to decide.

The checkmark no longer means what it used to

Before 2023, a blue tick on Twitter meant the account had been checked and was considered notable: journalists, public figures, brands and organisations. X ended that legacy programme from 1 April 2023 and replaced it with subscription verification.

That change matters because many people still read a checkmark as a sign of authority. Today a blue checkmark shows that the account pays for X Premium and meets X’s eligibility rules. It does not, on its own, mean the person’s identity has been checked with ID. X offers that separately (more on that below).

The three checkmarks at a glance

Checkmark	Who it is for	How you get it
Blue	Individuals, and some affiliated accounts	An eligible X Premium or Premium+ subscription, after review
Gold	Organisations such as businesses, charities and non profits	A Premium Business subscription, after review
Grey	Government and multilateral organisations and officials	A request form and identity checks, after review

Blue checkmarks come with X Premium

X Premium has three tiers for individuals: Basic, Premium and Premium+. According to X’s help pages, the blue checkmark is included with Premium and Premium+, but not Basic.

The eligibility rules

Paying is not quite enough. X says your account must meet requirements including:

• A display name and profile photo.
• Activity on the account in the past 30 days.
• A confirmed phone number.
• No recent changes to your profile photo, display name or username (handle).
• No signs of being misleading or deceptive, and no signs of spam or platform manipulation.

The checkmark appears once X has reviewed the account. If you later change your profile photo, display name or handle, the checkmark disappears temporarily while the account is reviewed again, so make profile changes before you subscribe if you can. X can also remove it for breaking its rules.

What blue verification costs

X’s help pages list US prices of $8 a month (or $84 a year) for Premium and $40 a month (or $395 a year) for Premium+. X says prices vary by location, taxes and payment method fees, so check the exact UK price in the app or on the web before you sign up.

ID verification is separate

Premium and Premium+ subscribers can also choose to verify their identity with a government issued ID. Accounts that do this can show an “ID verified” label. It is optional, but it is the closest thing on X to proving that a person is who they say they are.

Gold checkmarks are for businesses and organisations

X’s organisation subscription was launched as Verified Organizations and appears on X’s help centre today as Premium Business. Approved organisation accounts get a gold checkmark and, for businesses, a square profile picture instead of a round one.

Who can apply

X says only organisation accounts are allowed, such as businesses, non profits and political parties. Personal accounts are not eligible, although X says some businesses built around a personal brand are considered case by case. To apply you need:

• An active X account that matches your organisation.
• A current email address at your organisation’s domain.
• A current website on that domain.
• A complete profile with an accurate photo, bio and display name.
• Access to the account so you can manage it.

X’s page says it takes credit card payments only.

Tiers, affiliates and published prices

X lists two tiers. Basic includes the gold checkmark but no affiliations. Full Access adds affiliations, which let you connect related accounts, such as your founder, team members, support account or sub brands, to your organisation. Affiliated accounts show a small badge with your organisation’s profile picture, and they receive a checkmark too.

Related reading: Instagram Verified Badges: What They Are, Why You Need One, and How to Get It

At the time of writing, X’s help centre lists US prices of $200 a month or $2,000 a year for Basic, and $1,000 a month or $10,000 a year for Full Access, with additional affiliates at $50 a month each in the US. X notes that prices may vary by region and change over time, and tax is added on top. Those figures put gold verification well beyond what most small businesses would spend on X alone.

Grey checkmarks are for government accounts

The grey checkmark is for government and multilateral organisations and certain officials. X’s help centre lists who qualifies, including heads of state, national ministers and legislators, government agencies and departments, embassies, and international bodies such as intergovernmental organisations.

Eligible accounts submit a request form, verify their identity with ID or a government email address, and wait for review. Grey checkmarks are only for current officials and organisations, so they are removed when someone leaves office or a department is disbanded. A business or charity cannot get one.

Should your business pay for verification on X?

For most of the small businesses we work with, X is a secondary platform. Before paying for any checkmark, we ask clients three questions.

1. Is X a meaningful source of customers or contacts for you? If your audience is mostly on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok, your budget usually works harder there.
2. Is impersonation a real risk? Businesses with a well known name, or those targeted by scam accounts, have a stronger case for a visible checkmark.
3. Would the subscription features help? Premium tiers include extra features such as longer posts and editing, and Premium Business includes support and tools for organisations. Check X’s current feature list against what you would actually use.

If the answer to all three is no, a well run account with a clear profile is a better use of time and money. Here is what builds trust on X without a checkmark:

• Use your real business name and logo, and keep your handle consistent with your other accounts.
• Link to your website in your profile, and link back to your X account from your website.
• Write a bio that says exactly what you do and where.
• Post regularly and reply to people, so the account looks active and staffed.
• Pin a post that introduces your business or answers your most common question.

If you are weighing up verification on other platforms too, Meta and LinkedIn have their own, separate verification options, and the right choice depends on where your customers actually are.

Frequently asked questions

How does Twitter verification work now?

X verification is subscription based. Individuals get a blue checkmark with an eligible X Premium or Premium+ subscription, organisations get a gold checkmark with Premium Business, and government accounts can request a grey checkmark.

Can I still get a free blue tick on X?

Not by application. Legacy verification ended in 2023. X has at times given checkmarks to some accounts, but you cannot apply for a free one.

Does the blue checkmark mean the account is genuine?

Not necessarily. It means the account pays for Premium and meets X’s rules. Look for the separate “ID verified” label if identity matters.

What does the gold checkmark on X mean?

It shows the account belongs to an organisation, such as a business or non profit, that subscribes to X’s Premium Business programme and has passed review.

Get help with your X account

Whether you decide to verify or not, a steady, well managed presence is what makes X work for a business. Our social media management team can run your X account alongside your other platforms, and give you a straight answer on where your budget will do the most good. Get in touch to talk it through.