YouTube Is Making It Much Harder For Channels To Get Verified

As with certain social media platforms, YouTube makes it possible for some users to become 'verified,' a status that is meant to ensure that viewers can tell the channel they're looking for from others that may be impersonating it. Channel verification isn't going away, but YouTube has revealed big criteria changes related to it, ones that will cause some users to lose their 'verified' status.

The entire idea behind being 'verified' is that some users are prominent enough to draw in imposters, fake profiles that use their name and images, and other similar situations. In these cases, it may be difficult for fans and followers to distinguish an authentic account from a fake one, which is where the 'verified' checkmark comes in.

Until now, YouTube verified channels that had at least 100,000 subscribers. In an announcement on its Support website, YouTube revealed that starting in October, verification will be hinged on authenticity and prominence, not just the number of people who subscribe to the channel.

YouTube will look at whether channels feature a 'real creator, artist, public figure or company' that it claims to represent, and also whether that person or company is well-known or highly searched. YouTube will consider whether this company or person is not only popular but also widely known outside of YouTube, as well as whether the channel name is similar to other channels.

Put simply, YouTube will require channels to have a good reason for getting verified, one beyond simply raking in subscribers and wanting to earn a coveted designation. The change reflects YouTube's overall growth and increased complexity, according to the company. Eligible channels will automatically get verification — users won't need to apply going forward. As well, YouTube is removing verification from a number of channels but is giving them the option to appeal the decision here.