You’ve been publishing YouTube videos for quite some time. Maybe even earned loyal followers along the way. By this point, you can confidently say that a sizable portion of your viewers digs your video content.
That said, there comes a point in a YouTube creator’s life when a credibility boost comes in handy.
If you want to look more legit in the eyes of your viewers, get verified on YouTube.
Why? Aside from increasing your credibility, that verification badge offers many ways to help you stand out in a crowded platform.
So, how do you get YouTube verified? And what do you need to know to get started?
We got you covered.
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What is YouTube verification?
There are actually two types of YouTube verification — account verification and channel verification.
Let’s talk about each and their differences.
YouTube account verification
Getting your YouTube account verified is easy. In fact, any YouTube creator with a good standing on the platform is eligible for account verification.
When getting your account verified, the goal is to prove you’re a real person, not a bot. And that you are who you say you are.
You can get your YouTube account verified by undergoing a phone verification process via youtube.com/verify. After confirming the 6-digit verification code sent to your phone, your account gets verified.
To check if your YouTube account has been verified, go to Settings > Channel status and features and click on the Feature eligibility tab.
Look at Intermediate features. If you see Enabled in green text on the right-hand side, that means your account is verified.
As seen above, getting your account verified unlocks the following intermediate features:
- Ability to upload videos over 15 minutes
- Add custom thumbnails
- Enable live streaming on YouTube
If you scroll down further, you’ll notice there are Advanced features you can unlock by undergoing another verification process.
- Appealing Content ID claims
- Create more live streams daily
- Upload more videos daily
- Create more Shorts daily
- Embed live streams
- External links in video descriptions
- Test and compare different thumbnails
- Eligible to apply for monetization
To access YouTube’s advanced features, you must verify your identity via one of the following methods:
- Video verification
- Valid ID
- Channel history
Pro-tip: When doing a video verification or ID verification, make sure you have good lighting and your entire face is framed sufficiently.
Channel verification
Channel verification on YouTube requires steeper requirements. For one thing, you get a verification badge next to your channel name.
Getting your channel verified shows proof that your channel is the official one for a creator, artist, brand, or public figure.
Take Oscar-winning Brie Larson as an example. If you search her name on YouTube, the @BrieLarson account comes out on top in search results. You’ll know it’s legit too, thanks to that verification badge next to her name.
How many subscribers do you need to get verified on YouTube?
To get verified on YouTube, you need to have at least 100,000 subscribers – unless you can prove you have a large following on another platform(s). If you think you qualify, you can reach out to YouTube directly.
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What are the benefits of YouTube verification?
Is getting verified on YouTube worth it? Let’s discuss the many ways YouTube verification can help your channel.
Increased credibility and trust
That verification badge next to your account name is a signal to viewers that your channel is authentic and official. This can help build trust with your audience, especially for new viewers who may be encountering your content for the first time.
It differentiates your channel from fake accounts or imposters, assuring your audience that they’re engaging with a legitimate content creator.
Protection against imitation
Viewers will believe you’re the real deal if your channel has a verification badge. By getting your YouTube account verified, opportunists will be less inclined to create impostor accounts they can use to mislead your audience or profit from your brand.
What’s more, getting verified gives you an advantage over copyright disputes, thanks to the copyright protection tools provided by YouTube.
Access to additional features
Getting access to advanced YouTube features gives you the additional tools you need to take your brand-building to the next level.
By using external links in video descriptions and advanced content creation tools, you can create more meaningful engagement that can potentially increase your revenue from the platform.
Enhanced brand image
A verification badge adds a level of prestige to your channel. It can enhance your brand’s image, making it more appealing to potential partners, sponsors, and collaborators. This professional status can open doors to opportunities that might not be available to non-verified channels.
Monetization opportunities
Verified YouTube channels can join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and earn revenue through ads, channel memberships, Super Chat, and brand memberships.
How to get verified on YouTube
To get your YouTube account verified, do the following steps.
1. Become eligible
To become eligible for channel verification, you must:
- Have at least 100,000 subscribers: There’s no way around it. To get more subscribers, keep publishing video content packed with value and utility. For more actionable advice, give our How to Get More Subscribers on Your YouTube Channel blog post a read. (If you’ve just hit 100,000 subscribers and you’re still not getting the “play” button for verification, wait at least a week. It might take some time for YouTube to recognize the milestone.)
- Have a complete profile: It’s considered good practice to complete as many sections on your YouTube channel as possible. It’s great for SEO, for starters. It also makes your YouTube channel presentable enough for the YouTube verification team to take you seriously. Be sure to fill out your banner, description, profile picture, and content. Last but not least, make sure your YouTube account is set to public, and you stay active on the platform.
- Be authentic: It means exactly what it says — you must be who you say you are; YouTube says they check different factors to verify your identity, so be prepared to provide any necessary documentation or information that proves you’re the real deal.
2. Visit the application page
Once you’ve become eligible, you can apply for channel verification.
To do this, visit the YouTube channel verification application page.
Mind that you won’t get access to the application form if your channel doesn’t have at least 100,000 subscribers yet. If you have at least 100k subscribers and you’re not seeing the form, make sure you’re signed in to the email address linked to the eligible channel.
3. Fill out the application
Once you’re on the Channel Verification Application page, enter your channel details (channel name and channel ID) in the required fields, and then click Submit.
(To find your YouTube user and channel ID, go to Settings > Advanced settings. If you’re not seeing your user and channel IDs, make sure you’re signed in as the channel’s primary owner.)
4. Wait it out
YouTube will then review your application and get in touch with you with a decision within a few weeks. Mostly it takes them within 24 hours to get back to you with a verdict. But overall, the verification process can take up to two weeks. They might also ask you for more information or documentation to prove your legitimacy.
It’s important to be patient during the waiting process, as its duration depends on the specifics of your YouTube channel and the current workload of the YouTube verification team.
How to be more credible on YouTube without a verification badge
Yes, having that verification badge next to your name makes you look more credible in the eyes of potential viewers.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t build trust with your audience without it.
Here are ways you can build credibility on YouTube even if your channel isn’t verified (yet):
Define your core values (and live by them)
With customer trust at an all-time low, content creators and publishers must work hard to earn the trust of their target audience.
By defining your core values as a brand and allowing them to inform and guide your content creation, you make it easier for viewers to get a real “sense” of who you are. Is it any wonder 61% of customers are more likely to be loyal to a brand whose values align with their own?
Create better experiences
Creating better experiences for your audience helps you earn their trust, period. When users finish watching your YouTube content, they prefer to leave with the feeling that they’re valued and that their time is respected. Why would they trust you otherwise?
To create better experiences, focus on educating, entertaining, and inspiring your target audience — not just with your YouTube content but also in all your interactions with them on the platform.
Engage with your community
Building credibility on YouTube isn’t just about what you publish; it’s also about how you interact with your viewers.
So keep engaging with your community by responding to comments, participating in discussions, and addressing their feedback. Why? Because it shows them that you care. And as
As Theodore Roosevelt puts it, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Wrap up
Whether your YouTube channel is already verified or not, remember that your reputation precedes you.
Want to build a reputation that draws your target audience in? Keep creating on-brand YouTube content that’s packed with value. Engage with your target audience in a way that shows you genuinely care about their needs and interests.
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FAQs
How do I get verified on YouTube without 100k subs?
YouTube proactively verifies YouTube channels with less than 100k subs but are well-known outside the platform. To answer the question, you need to find other means of becoming popular that don’t directly involve YouTube, such as becoming a famous reality star, movie star, or musician.
How long does it take to get verified on YouTube?
Once you apply for verification, the process typically takes a couple of weeks as YouTube reviews your channel’s authenticity and activity.
How do I maintain my YouTube channel verification?
You need to be on YouTube’s good side to keep that verification badge. This means avoiding violating YouTube’s policies, maintaining an active channel, and ensuring your content remains genuine and relevant.
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