Correction: An individual creator does not receive a gold checkmark by buying X Premium. X says a gold checkmark identifies an approved official organization account subscribed to Premium Business. Eligible individual accounts subscribed to Premium or Premium+ receive a blue checkmark after review.
Fact check: Badge meanings, US prices, and eligibility details were checked against X's official Help Center on August 27, 2026. X says prices vary by region and may change.
Quick answer
- Gold: an approved organization account using Premium Business.
- Blue: an eligible individual or organization account with Premium or Premium+, or an eligible affiliated account.
- Grey: an eligible government or multilateral organization or official.
- A badge does not guarantee reach, credibility, monetization eligibility, or sales.
Who can get a gold checkmark?
X describes Premium Business as a service for organizations such as businesses, nonprofits, and political parties. An organization applies with its official account and business details, pays for a Premium Business tier, and goes through review. If approved, the organization's main account receives a gold checkmark and square profile image.
In the United States, X currently lists Premium Business Basic at $200 per month or $2,000 per year. Full Access is $1,000 per month or $10,000 per year, plus applicable tax and fees. Full Access can add affiliated accounts; US monthly affiliate pricing is currently $50 per affiliate. Regional pricing can differ.
Basic and Full Access are not interchangeable. Review the current feature table before purchasing, especially if affiliation badges, support, hiring, or advertising benefits are the reason for subscribing.
What should an individual creator apply for?
An individual normally considers X Premium or Premium+, not Premium Business. X says eligible Premium and Premium+ accounts are reviewed for a blue checkmark. The account must have a display name, profile photo, and confirmed phone number, among other eligibility requirements. Recent profile changes can delay signup or review.
The blue checkmark now indicates an active qualifying subscription and eligibility review. It is not the former notability verification system, and it does not mean X independently endorses the person's expertise or every claim they publish.
Should a creator pay for a badge?
- Name the required feature. Longer posts, editing, Media Studio, creator-program eligibility, reduced ads, and organization affiliations belong to different tiers.
- Do not buy a badge as a growth guarantee. X describes reply prioritization and tier benefits, but it does not promise a particular reach, follower, or revenue result.
- Use the correct account type. A personal creator account should not represent itself as an organization merely to seek a gold badge.
- Recheck the official price. X localizes prices and can change plan features.
Does a checkmark unlock monetization?
Not by itself. Creator Subscriptions and creator reward programs have separate eligibility rules covering age, location, recent activity, account standing, verified followers, impressions, and the required subscription tier. Meeting the badge requirement does not automatically satisfy every other condition.
For most creators, the commercial question is whether a paid feature improves a real workflow. A relevant audience, useful work, a clear offer, and honest proof matter more than the color of the badge.
Official sources
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