Twitter users can once again apply to be verified after a years-long freeze on public submissions for the site’s blue check marks, though the company said only “notable” users would be awarded the badge.

The social media company paused public submissions for these badges in 2017 amid criticism that its verification program was arbitrary and confusing. It said at the time the check mark was being confused with “an endorsement or an indicator of importance”.

Under the new rules, accounts must have been active in the last six months and fit one of several criteria: government, companies, brands and organisations, news outlets and journalists, entertainment, sports and gaming, activists, organisers and other influential individuals.

It also plans categories for scientists, academics and religious leaders later this year.

The accounts must also have a record of following Twitter’s rules; specifically, no violations that resulted in a 12-hour or one-week lock outs in the previous year.

Twitter also said that in the approval process it would look holistically at user behaviour such as harassment or posting content that promoted the supremacy of a particular group, “both on and off Twitter.”

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Accounts must also be complete with features like a profile image and be able to prove their identity through government ID or email addresses.

Twitter said it was working to provide more information about a bevy of different account types: it plans to launch a new account of type of legitimate automated or “bot” accounts in July and memorial accounts, for deceased users, later this year. It said it was also exploring how to label humour and satire accounts.