If you’re a regular on YouTube, you most likely came across a specific kind of user that stood out from the rest of the community. I’m talking about the YouTube user that has a ‘verified channel’ badge next to their username.
What’s the meaning of being a verified channel? Do these users get special treatment because of their badge? Well, not at all. The only benefit of being a verified channel is that everyone on the platform will know that your channel is official and authentic, and not an imitation. In that sense, the YouTube badge works just like Twitter‘s blue verification badge, which communicates that a public figure’s profile is real.
Sure, some people may want to show off their verification badge as a way of feeling more special than the rest of us mortals. But, apart from indicating that a channel is the real thing and not a fake, the badge won’t grant you any privilege or superpower on YouTube.
With that said, if you own a YouTube channel, you’re absolutely allowed to go ahead and request a verification badge in order to ward off fraudulent channels impersonating you. So, if you’re interested in the topic, keep reading to find out how to apply for the verification badge on YouTube!
When is your channel eligible for the verification badge?
Not every channel on YouTube can get verified. There are certain requirements your channel needs to meet for it to happen. Now, let’s see what you’ll need to take the first step, meaning requesting a channel verification:
– first and foremost, you should have at least 100,000 subscribers to be able to submit a request for channel verification. Make sure you’ve reached that amount of subscribers
– second, you need to be signed in with the email address for the eligible channel, so select your profile picture in the top-right to choose that account
Go to this page, section ‘Apply for channel verification’, and check if the Apply now hyperlink is there. If it is, click on it, and you can proceed with the application.
Now that you’ve submitted your request, YouTube will review your channel, and will provide it with a verification badge only if the channel is:
– authentic: your channel must represent the real creator, brand, or entity it claims to be. YouTube will check different factors to help verify your identity, such as the age of your channel. You might also be asked for more info or documentation
– complete: your channel must be public and have a channel banner, description, and profile picture. It also needs to have content and be active on YouTube
YouTube won’t verify channels that are trying to impersonate another creator or brand, and that makes spotting the fake ones much easier. The platform can even take ulterior action when a channel is found to be deliberately impersonating someone else.
A few things to keep in mind
– As already mentioned, verified channels don’t get extra features on YouTube. They also don’t represent awards, milestones, or endorsement from the platform
– Your verified channel won’t be anymore once you’ve changed its name. If you rename your channel, you’ll need to reapply for the verification badge
– YouTube can and will revoke verification or terminate channels that violate the Community Guidelines or the Terms of Service
What if my channel can’t become verified?
If you’re unable to get your channel verified for any particular reason, you can still make it stand out from the masses with a few tricks:
– use a unique and creative channel name that represents who you are and the type of content you publish
– use a high-quality image for your profile picture to make your channel look professional in search results
– customize your channel layout and branding for a personalized look and feel on your channel homepage
Source: YouTube Help