How to Get Verified on Spotify, Apple Music and Shazam…
…and all the others.
Alas, the ever sought after blue checkmark. It immediately authenticates your favorite rapper on Twitter or travel photographer on Instagram, and legitimizes the biggest brands on Facebook.
Verification has remained a mystifying (and inconsistent) badge of honor across social media platforms since Twitter introduced the blue checkmark in 2009. But it isn’t just reserved for the Kim Kardashians of the world. Actually, applying for verification is easier than you might think.
Last summer (2016), Twitter announced it is finally allowing applications for verification on the site, a token previously reserved for the celebrity elite.
Aside from the warm fuzzy feeling that a blue checkmark brings to your page, there are actually tangible benefits of getting verified, especially for artists and musicians.
Authentication
First off, the blue badge is a quick authentication tool for fans looking for your official page. This may be increasingly difficult given the multitude of fan accounts and brand pages with similar names. With verification, your page is more legitimate.
The badge may also be useful when industry professionals such as booking agents, labels, and press are looking for your page. Again, the psychological value of a blue checkmark gives you legitimacy and as an official page.
Most importantly, some sites allow deeper analytics into your page once verified. Facebook, for example, gives you access to Facebook Mentions, an app designed for public figures to more easily connect with their fans. Twitter verification gives account analytics regarding followers and engagement with your posts. Pandora has AMPcast, a way for artists to reach targeted markets while on the road.
Spotify and Shazam also have powerful insights on listener data and customizing your artist page. For a musician, these analytics can be crucial when routing tours, advertising to specific demographics, and understanding your audience.
How to do it..
Now that we know the benefits of social media verification, I’ll give a quick how-to when approaching each service, from easiest to hardest. Keep in mind, this is one man’s experience in verifying artist pages as of July 2016. The process is subject to change, and many pages have no set guidelines. Alright then, let’s begin.
GENIUS
- Formerly known as Rap Genius, the lyric site allows you to upload and interpret the lyrics to your songs for any genre of music, literature, or poetry.
- Spotify’s sources some of these lyrics, which you can easily edit and interpret with verification.
- Claim your Genius Verified Account.
MUSIXMATCH
- A top lyrics site that syncs with YouTube and other streaming platforms
- Apply for verification here.
GOOGLE PLAY ARTIST HUB
- Though only limited features, you can update your cover photo and artist bio on Google Play after verifying your account
- Sign up here.
APPLE MUSIC CONNECT
- It’s somewhat of a dying social platform, but you can post updates to your Apple Music followers and control your artist profile here.
- Here are instructions on making the most of your posts
SHAZAM CONNECT
- Shazam currently allows for artists to apply for verification if your music is on their site.
- It is a quicker process if you’re already Twitter-verified, but you can submit for verification here.
- After verification, you can view listener insights and post updates to your fans
SPOTIFY
- To get verified and get a blue check mark on your profile, you’ll need to get access to Spotify for Artists. Once Spotify confirms who you are and give you access, you’re all set.
- Make the most of Spotify by creating playlists and updating your cover image and bio
- You no longer need 250 followers and a verification form to verify your Spotify artist page
- It may take a few weeks for your blue check mark to appear on your profile.
- Non-artists (labels, non-profits, radio stations, and brands) can apply for verification here.
- There are two types of Facebook verification:
- A Blue Badge on a Page or profile means that Facebook confirmed that this is the authentic Page or profile for this public figure, media company or brand. Keep in mind that not all public figures, celebrities and brands on Facebook have blue badges.
- If you see a Gray Badge on a Page, it means that Facebook confirmed that this is an authentic Page for this business or organization. Learn more about how to verify a Page.
- Verify your page here.
PANDORA
- If your music is already on Pandora, you can claim your artist account here.
- Pandora AMP is a platform that allows verified artists to see weekly track spins, listeners, and stations added with your music.
- Twitter allows anyone to apply for verification, though not everyone is approved.
- Verification here allows you to filter mentions from other verified Twitter users, making high-profile interactions easier on the site.
- The site claims follower count is not a factor considered when getting verified.
- It is important for artists to identify as a Company, Brand, or Organization.
- Use as many reputable sources (press, etc.) as possible when requesting verification
- Use this info to Request a verified account on Twitter.
- Recent data shows that Twitter is only verifying around 200 accounts per day, so be patient! If denied, you can re-apply 30 days later.
PERISCOPE
- If a Periscope account is linked to a verified Twitter account, it will automatically be verified.
YOUTUBE
If you already have a personal Youtube channel with your mand want to migrate that content to your artist page, you can convert your YouTube Channel from a personal channel to a Brand Channel. Your subscribers and content (excluding comments) will all migrate to the new channel. If you don’t yet have a Yo
There are two types of verification on YouTube:
- Partner Verification ✓
→ Unlocks additional features on your channel such as monetization, customized branding, copyright control, and ability to upload longer videos
→ Anyone can verify as a Youtube Partner by entering in your mobile number here - Name Verification
→ You can submit a request for a verification badge once you have 100,000 subscribers
→ Verification badges don’t affect search results for the channel or grant access to additional features on YouTube.
→ Learn more here.
- After being verified, you will have access to add URLs in the “swipe up” feature of Instagram Stories.
- Instagram currently does not allow users to submit for verification. This is currently the hardest badge to achieve.
- Even though Facebook owns Instagram, a badge on one doesn’t equate to verification on the other.
- Most verified Instagram users have hundreds of thousands of followers with high engagement rates on their pages.
- Learn more about Instagram verification and policies here.
SNAPCHAT 👻
- Snapchat unrolled Official Stories in November 2015. Instead of a blue checkmark, verified users get an emoji
- Benefits include easier discovery of your account, and collaborator features where multiple people can be logged in at once
- This is probably the most exclusive verification you can have, with only elite celebrities achieving verification.
As stated before, all sites are subject to change. Not only is the blue tick a badge of honor, it can be used as a real marketing and analytics tool that empowers the entrepreneurial artist. Once you have taken control of these accounts, I would highly recommend an analytics tool like Next Big Sound to gain a comprehensive overview of your music analytics.
Now that the barrier to entry has been lowered, it is yet to be seen if the novelty and clout the badge once held will be diminished. Regardless, this isn’t meant to be a philosophical or psychological review; merely a guide. In sum, you’re still better off being verified with 200,000 other public figures and industry leaders than wading in a pool of the 309 million unverified Tweeters. But what do I know? I’m not verified — yet.
