You may have noticed that YouTube is getting packed these days.
There are countless content creators uploading videos daily. YouTubers upload approximately 720,000 hours of video content a day… that’s a lot of videos.
According to Statista , as of January 2022, YouTube has more than 2.5 billion monthly active users. It is the second most popular social media platform, just behind Facebook (currently ranked number one). Every day more than 122 million active users visit the video-sharing platform.
The market is fantastic.
Given the multitude of channels, creators and brands constantly look for ways to make their content stand out. One way of doing this is by receiving a YouTube verification badge.
This little tick may seem underwhelming, but it can significantly boost your credibility on the platform. Viewers automatically know you are a legit brand/creator and are more likely to trust your content.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the grey checkmark on YouTube, including what it means and how to get it.
What is a verified YouTube Channel? A verified account has a small grey checkmark or music note next to the channel name. You are not verified if you don’t have this checkmark on your channel.
Verification vs. Badge Verification Before we go any further, we must clarify the difference between verifying your YouTube channel and getting the verification badge.
When you initially sign up for a YouTube account, just like any other social media platform, you are prompted to link a phone number so YouTube can verify your account.
YouTube account verification is a required step all YouTubers have to go through. This account verification process lets YouTube know that you are an actual person, not a bot.
Once your Youtube account is verified, you will be able to do the following:
Upload videos longer than 15 minutes Customize the thumbnail of your channels’ videos Host live-streaming videos Content ID claim Verifying your YouTube account is mandatory, but a verification badge is not. Think of the badge as a step further in crediting your account.
Simply put, a YouTube verification badge acknowledges that the YouTube team has verified your YouTube channel’s authenticity and value.
What are the requirements to get YouTube verification? If you want to get your YouTube verification badge, your channel must meet the following requirements:
Your channel must have at least 100,000 subscribers to be eligible for application. Your channel must be authentic, representing the creator, brand, or entity you’re claiming to be. The YouTube team will check everything to ensure it all adds up. Your channel must be complete, meaning it must be public, have a channel banner, a description, and content, and be active on YouTube. In rare cases, YouTube may preemptively verify channels with fewer than 100,000 subscribers. Creators with a loyal following, high engagement, and quality content may receive the badge even if they are under the subscriber requirements. On the other hand, some accounts with well over 100,000 subscribers don’t get the verification badge.
How to get channel verification on YouTube? If you first meet the requirements to get the badge. If you do already qualify, here are the steps you need to follow to get your YouTube channel verified:
Step 1: Apply for YouTube channel verification Visit the YouTube verification page and log in. If your channel qualifies, you will see an “Apply Now” button as shown below.
If your channel is not qualified, the “Apply Now” button will be disabled for you. Instead, you will see the message that says, “It looks like your channel isn't eligible yet.”
Step 2: Fill out the application form Click the “Apply Now” button and fill in the details.
If you don't know your channel ID, you can find it by logging into your YouTube account. Go to Settings > Advanced settings , and you'll find your Channel ID as shown below:
Step 3: Submit Once you've filled in the details in the form, click the “submit” button, and you'll receive a confirmation email from YouTube.
Do note that you must wait at least a few weeks for the result after receiving the confirmation email.
Benefits of having the grey checkmark on YouTube You may feel that there is no real reason anyone would want to get the verification badge, since many successful channels don’t hold it. But getting the grey checkmark on YouTube does hold benefits.
Boosted credibility The grey checkmark on your YouTube account boosts the channel profile as it implies credibility. It also informs viewers that you are an authority with relevant content. If you are speaking about a delicate topic, people may be more inclined to take your opinions if they know you have been vetted further.
Protects you from impersonators As stated by the YouTube team, when a channel is verified, it becomes the official channel of a creator, brand, artist, business, or public figure. So basically, the grey checkmark on YouTube protects your channel from impersonators, helping you receive the traffic your channel deserves.
Gives you a sense of accomplishment This is not necessarily a channel-wise benefit, but receiving this check will for sure give you a sense of pride in all you have accomplished! Celebrate yourself!
How to keep the verification badge? You can lose your verification badge. So to keep it, here is what you need to do.
Respect the Terms of Service Know the “Terms of Service or Community Guidelines” of YouTube because they have the right to remove your grey checkmark that you have worked hard and patiently for if you violate their terms and conditions.
You can read about YouTube terms of service and community guidelines right here to be on the safe side of the video-sharing platform.
Don’t change your YouTube channel name When you initially create your YouTube channel, you need to take the time to choose a name that best represents what you or your brand stand for. If, for some reason, you decide to change the name of your channel after getting your grey checkmark or music note, YouTube will remove your badge. You can rebrand all you want, but the name change is a no-go.
You can, however, still reapply for the verification badge with the new name, but to avoid the hassle, choose something that can grow with you!
I haven’t met the requirements yet; what can I do to get there?
Don’t get too stressed if you haven’t met the requirements to receive a verification badge. It does take time! We have more blog articles on how to grow your YouTube channel you definitely should check out for more details, but here are some quick tips:
Post consistently- You can’t build a channel without uploading on a set schedule. Connect with your followers - Try things like responding to comments and hosting live Q&As. Anything that gets your engagement up. Be authentic - Remember, a requirement for badge verification is authenticity. Stay true to your brand! Conclusion The grey checkmark verification is a great way to increase your credibility on the YouTubes platform, but remember, it is not everything.
Focus on authenticity, engaged growth, and increasing your following; the check will come with time! Stay true to your brand, and remember to have some patience.
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