What is verification badge?

A verification badge is a small icon, often a check mark, shown next to an account's name to signal that the network has confirmed or approved it.

Badges can help people trust that an account is the real business or person, not an impersonator. For brands, they can reduce confusion and make profiles look more credible. Some badges also come with extra features or support.

How verification works varies widely by network and changes often. Some networks offer paid subscriptions that include a badge, while others verify notable accounts based on identity checks and public interest. Meta, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and Bluesky each have their own systems, and badge colors or meanings can differ. Requirements and prices change over time.

Check each network's current rules before applying. Make sure your profile is complete and consistent first. Beware of messages offering verification for a fee from unofficial sources, as these are common scams. Remember that a badge alone does not replace good content and service.

Example

A regional furniture store gets its accounts verified so customers can tell it apart from fake pages running fake sales.