Getting a YouTube verification badge is one of the top things you can do to supercharge your account and boost your channel status across the platform.
As with other social media platforms, having that little tick next to your name really improves your credibility. It might not look like much but verification shows you produce high quality content, have a large following, and are not a bot.
It also prevents others from impersonating you on the platform.
With YouTube, there are certain milestones you'll need to meet before you can even think about verification. The first, and probably the most obvious, one is you need at least 100,000 subscribers.
This criteria sets the YouTube verification badge apart from other social media platforms, where a lot of followers certainly helps in the quest for a verification badge but there's usually no number set in stone.
You'll also need to meet YouTube’s eligibility requirements for authenticity and completeness. We'll talk through the exact hoops you need to jump through to tick those boxes later in this guide.
Things to Know About YouTube Verification
Assuming you have the followers and meet the eligibility criteria, you're one step closer to the coveted YouTube verification badge.
However, there are a few extra things you need to know about before you can proudly display it on your YouTube account.
The big one to be aware of is YouTube doesn't endorse your content if it gives you a verification badge. It simply confirms you’re the real deal and not a bot or a scam.
Some YouTube users don't realize this and can assume verified accounts have the platform's support. This can lead to expectation issues around your content.
Oh, and watch out for traps that can cost you your verified status. For example, if you change your channel name then it might disappear.
We'll talk more about these things later in this guide, so you can stay verified on YouTube once you've got that tick.
Are you ready to take your YouTube presence to the next level? Let’s dive into the steps to get that coveted checkmark.
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What is YouTube verification?
YouTube verification is basically an official recognition for channels that meet certain criteria. It's really valuable if you're a brand that wants to make an impact with potential audiences, or an individual looking to become an influencer.
Being marked as an official channel gives you some credibility and trustworthiness. It also marks you as the one and only – nobody else can pretend to be you or your brand. You have an active and authentic channel, and that's worth something!
Most big brands or influencers will have a verification badge. For example, brands like Pepsi and Vogue both have a YouTube verification badge, but so do creators like Amelia Dimoldenberg (creator of the massively popular Chicken Shop Date series).
Overview of YouTube's verification badge
YouTube’s verification badge is a small checkmark next to a YouTube channel's name. For artists, it's a musical note, which is a nice touch.
This tick is proof that YouTube has confirmed the channel belongs to the real creator or brand it represents. It's exclusive and hard to come by, as channels need at least 100,000 subscribers to apply for verification.
This cuts out a lot of micro-influencers and small-scale brands, which is why a lot of people focus instead on securing the more accessible TikTok and X verification badges.
The YouTube verified badge appears in desktop search results and comments, making a verified channel easy to spot.
YouTube reviews applications to make sure they are genuine and follow the platform’s rules. Getting verified isn’t automatic - even with enough subscribers, channels must meet YouTube’s standards.
Benefits of getting verified
Verification is kind of like being awarded top marks or a gold star in the social media world. After all, it carries a lot of influence and shows you're a big deal, because you need 100,000 followers to get it.
At a public-facing level, it gives your channel more credibility and even visibility on YouTube. It helps your content stand out in search results and recommendations. If you're searching for a brand or person and multiple channels come up, most people will be more likely to trust and engage with available verified channels.
It's sometimes said that you need verification to give you access to extra features. But it's not exactly true.
That confusion has probably come from things like needing to verify your phone number to get access to features like custom thumbnails and longer video uploads. That's a different process, though.
With the verification badge, you'll get priority support from YouTube if issues arise. That's definitely a nice perk.
But for creators and businesses, the big appeal of verification is that it can lead to more partnership opportunities with brands and other YouTubers. Like we said before, it makes you look legit – it's a sign that you’ve built a significant audience and produce content that people really like.
Eligibility requirements for YouTube verification
This is what you're probably reading this article for, so let's get on with it. There are two core eligibility requirements for nailing that little tick.
So, here's how to get verified on YouTube and boost your channel page instantly.
1. You need to hit 100,000 subscribers
YouTube verification is only available to channels with 100,000+ subscribers. It's a lot, we know! However, YouTube has decided that this is the magic number, partially to encourage people to gain more subscribers.
Other social media sites like Instagram require just 10,000 followers, while on X you can pay to get verified.
Subscriber count isn't everything, though. YouTube also looks at your channel's activity and engagement levels to ensure it's a viable channel.
So if you want to be in the running for verification then make sure you're regularly uploading high-quality content that your audience loves. Engage with your viewers through comments and community posts, and be the active presence that YouTube wants its users to be.
This helps build a loyal fan base and boosts your chances of hitting that 100,000 mark, while also being more engaging.
Remember, reaching 100,000 subscribers is just the first step. YouTube may still deny verification if other criteria aren't met.
While the subscriber threshold is pretty well-known, there are some cases in which YouTube may proactively verify channels even if they have under 100,000 subscribers. This can happen if the creators are well-known on other platforms. (Basically, you need to have a lot of followers somewhere on the internet!)
2. Channel authenticity and completeness
YouTube wants real creators to enhance a channel's credibility. That's only fair, but it means brands need to work extra hard to prove there's a human presence to their content.
The platform will check that your channel represents a real person, brand, or entity.
This authenticity is achievable but takes time to look right. For a start, your YouTube channel needs to be active and public. You'll also need to fill out every bit of your YouTube channel info, which means adding a clear profile picture and channel banner, writing a detailed "About" section, and including links to your official website and social media.
It's worth using the same language you use on other social channels here, so as to highlight brand consistency across the internet.
Make sure your content is original and aligns with your channel's theme. For example, a sports channel probably needs to stay away from home cooking advice. If you've reached 100,000 subscribers, you're probably already pretty good at this.
How to get verified on YouTube: Step by step
Now we know what YouTube wants from you, it's time to go through the process step by step.
Getting verified on YouTube involves a few key milestones and a number of small ones. Let's walk through the process to help you earn that coveted verification badge for your channel.
Step 1: Verify your phone number
This is an easy one to get started. Make sure your YouTube account is linked to a legitimate phone number before even applying for verification. This step helps YouTube confirm you're a real person and not a bot.
Go to your YouTube account settings and look for the "Verify phone number" option. Click it and follow the prompts. That simple.
You'll receive a verification code via text message. Enter this code on the screen to complete phone verification.
Step 2: Apply for the verification badge
Once your channel meets the eligibility requirements that we outlined above, you can submit a verification request.
Here's how you do it:
- Sign in to YouTube Studio
- Click on Settings, then Channel, and select "Feature eligibility"
- Look for the "Apply for channel verification" section
- Click "Apply" and fill out the application form
The form asks for your channel name and ID. You can find your channel ID in YouTube's advanced settings. It will make things easier and quicker for everyone if you provide accurate information.
Remember, YouTube only verifies channels with 100,000+ subscribers unless there's a really good reason for dropping below that number. It's a pretty high threshold. If you're not there yet, focus on growing your audience first.
Step 3: Wait for YouTube's response
After submitting your application, you're going to have a bit of a wait. The review process can take a few weeks. After all, there are 1.9 billion monthly users on YouTube, and millions of verified accounts, so the company has a lot of applications.
While you're waiting, continue creating great content and engaging with your audience. Don't repeatedly submit applications – this won't speed things up. Just sit tight and trust your application will succeed.
If approved, you'll see the verification badge next to your channel name. Congratulations! If denied, YouTube will explain why. You can address any issues and reapply after 30 days.
While waiting, use YouTube analytics tools to track your channel's growth and improve your content strategy.
What to do if your YouTube application is rejected
Getting rejected never feels good, especially if you've worked hard to nail 100,000 followers. But don't give up!
There are steps you can take to improve your chances next time and YouTube will explain why your official channel has been denied verification status.
Let's look at why rejections happen and how to boost your odds of success next time.
Reasons for rejection and how to fix them
YouTube may reject your application for several reasons but the most common one focuses on content.
Not having enough original content or producing too many low-quality videos is a real problem. You might even be violating community guidelines without realizing it.
Copyright problems are another red flag. The platform's AI systems are getting ever smarter and your YouTube channel could even be deleted if you're found to be breaching copyright laws.
It's therefore crucial you take a really close look at your channel. Make sure all your content is original, of high quality, and follows YouTube's rules.
You can reapply after 30 days for your first rejection. After subsequent rejections, you'll need to wait 90 days. Use this time to make your channel better. Have a look at successful channels in your niche and see what they're doing differently. Take a few notes!
Tips on how to get verified on YouTube faster
Getting verified on YouTube takes effort, but there are a few lesser-known ways to speed up the process.
Joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
Even if you don't plan on getting verified, you'll probably want access to the YouTube Partner Manager. This allows you to earn revenue through ads and access special monetization features.
Best of all, the criteria for joining is much lower than with verification. You'll only need 1,000 subscribers to get going, which is vital for micro-influencers and small brands.
Build an audience across platformsIf you haven't yet reached that golden milestone of 100,00 followers, you'll need to cross-promote your YouTube videos in your content elsewhere.
For example, mention them in your podcast or link to them in blog posts. Use your TikTok profile to generate interest in your YouTube channel, and highlight your growing success on LinkedIn.
The more you shout about your YouTube channel, the more subscribers you'll get.
Frequently asked questions
Getting verified on YouTube can be a bit of a mysterious process. Let's look at some common questions about the verification process.
What are the requirements for getting a verification badge on YouTube if I don't have 100,000 subscribers?
Unfortunately, you might be out of luck. The truth is, you almost always need 100,000 subscribers to apply for a verification badge. The only way around this rule is having a similar amount of followers elsewhere. YouTube uses this number to ensure only popular channels get verified.
Can you get a verification badge on YouTube with zero subscribers, and if so, how?
Nope! You can't get a verification badge with zero subscribers. YouTube requires a minimum of 100,000 subscribers before you can apply for verification.
Is there a fee associated with obtaining a verification badge on YouTube?
No, there's no fee to get verified on YouTube. Unlike X, the process is free for all eligible channels.
How does the phone number verification step factor into the YouTube account verification process?
Phone verification is a security step for all YouTube accounts. It's different from getting a verification badge.
To verify your phone:
- Go to your account settings
- Click on "Verify phone number"
- Enter your phone number
- YouTube will send you a code
- Enter the code to complete verification
This step allows you to upload longer videos and use custom thumbnails.
