It's real. Tonight I confirmed the existence of Twitter Verified Accounts, a much needed add-on for businesses, brands and celebrities to communicate to users that they are the real deal.
As Twitter describes the new service, the purpose of Twitter Verified Accounts is to prevent identify confusion and establish authenticity.
How to Identify a Verified Account
๏ The 'Verified Account' badge will appear in the top-right portion of a user's profile page just above the name, location and bio--as shown in the screenshot below. The badge will click-through to this page.
๏ It will always have a badge followed by the words 'Verified Account'
๏ If the verified account badge appears anywhere else on a user's profile page (e.g. in the avatar or the background) it is not a verified account
๏ The Verified Account badge can not be used unless it is provided by Twitter. Accounts using the badge as part of profile pictures, background images, or in any way implying false verification will be permanently suspended.
๏ The verified account badge will also appear next to usernames in the Find People section
๏ The verified account badge will have the same color as shown above even if users customize the background of their profile page or change the color in the sidebar
Sample of Twitter Verified Account
Will You Be Verifying Your Twitter Account?
Leave a comment if you think this a good idea. If so, how much would you be willing to pay to verify your Twitter Account.
Yes, great idea!`
Not sure of a cost to verify me.
I believe it's an idea whose time has come. I do believe Twitter should charge for the service - absolutely. IMO this is exactly how Twitter can start turning a profit. It should certainly continue to offer and support free accounts, but to begin SELLING paid, 'Verified Accounts' will provide an huge win-win boon. No one loses. IMHO, this is The Way To Go. PEACE
Definitely worthwhile, but read the fine print (it would have been nice to have linked to that Twitter page instead of just posting a screen shot) on the page. They seem only to be focusing on accounts that have "known" impersonation issues. You can't sign up for it, they don't seem to have plans to allow you to sign up. It appears to be more "identity verification for the Twitter elite" than a new Twitter service.
Hopefully, that perspective will change over time.
Looks like it is a closed beta so far. I'm looking forward to finding out when the rest of us can access to it.