Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to the login process to enhance the protection of your Social Media Management account. Please note that 2FA is required during new account setup. In this article, find out more about two-factor authentication and how to adjust your 2FA settings in Social Media Management.

What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is enhanced security feature that requires you to use an additional method of identification to access an account, such as your Social Media Management account. We require the use of two-factor authentication so your account has an additional level of security during the authentication process to protect your account and your data.

By default, when logging into Social Media Management with your account username and password, two-factor authentication is required. With two-factor authentication enabled, you will be required to open an authenticator app on your device and provide Social Media Management with the security code generated by your app.

Setting up 2FA for the first time

If you are a new Brandwatch user, you will set up your account's 2FA when creating your Brandwatch account. Please see our article on setting up your account for full account creation steps.

If you are an existing user and your account requires 2FA setup, you will be met with the 2FA setup screen during your next login into the platform.

Please note that two-factor authentication is required for account setup and requires the use of an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator to be installed on your device.

1. During 2FA setup at login, you'll be asked to download an authenticator app, e.g. Google authenticator, to your device. (See our 2FA FAQs for supported authenticator apps).
   
2. Open the authenticator app on your phone and tap the + icon or equivalent to set up a new code. On Google authenticator, you'll select the + icon > Scan a QR code in the lower-right corner of the app.
   
3. When the camera function opens in your app, scan the QR code that Brandwatch provided you at the setup screen. (Please note that the below QR code is pixelated as an example; Brandwatch will provide you your own unique QR code to scan at setup.)
   
4. After scanning the QR code, the authenticator app will provide you a unique numerical code to enter into Brandwatch. (Please note that the code below is pixelated as an example; your authenticator app will provide you your own unique code to enter). Enter your unique numerical code into your Brandwatch 2FA setup to proceed.
   
   Code generates in your authenticator app:
   
   Enter code in Brandwatch:
   
   

   Note:

   Authenticator apps provide security by generating time-based, one-time passcodes (TOTP) that refresh every 30 seconds. Please be sure to enter your passcode into Brandwatch before it refreshes. When your code is about to expire and refreshed with a new code, you will see it turn red in the authenticator app. (Please note that the code below is pixelated as an example; your authenticator app will provide you your own unique code to enter).
   

   Warning:

   Please be aware that after five failed attempts of entering the authentication code, you will be temporarily suspended from completing 2FA for security reasons.

After setup is complete, you'll be logged in and redirected to your Brandwatch account.

Resetting your account's 2FA

You can reset your two-factor authentication via your profile details anytime you are logged into Social Media Management.

1. From Social Media Management’s left-hand navigation sidebar, select the Manage profile icon > Profile details.

   Note:

   If you have access to both Social Media Management and Consumer Research, you will see the option to go to your profile details for either.

2. Click the Security tab.
3. You will see that two-factor authentication is enabled for your account. If you would like to reset your two-factor authentication, click Revoke access next to your connected device.
4.  When the screen refreshes, scan the provided QR code displayed in the Two-Factor Authentication menu using your authenticator app.
5. Your authentication app will provide a one-time code. In Social Media Management, enter the one-time code below the displayed QR code. Click Save.

Once verified, Social Media Management will display a notification that your two-factor authentication is active.

Once you have successfully set up two-factor authentication, you will be required to provide a verification code from your authenticator app every time you log into Social Media Management.

Logging in with 2FA

There are three available login methods in Social Media Management:

• Password
• Social login (Google, Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn)
• Single sign-on (SSO)

Visit our Logging into Social Media Management article for an explanation of each authentication method. When you enroll in two-factor authentication, it will be required as an additional authentication step only when you log in using your account username and password.

When you have successfully entered your Social Media Management username and password, you will next be directed to a two-factor authentication screen to provide a code from your authentication app.

Open your authentication app on your device (whichever app you used to set up two-factor authentication). Enter the code the app generates and then click Continue. If the numbers are correct as per your authentication app, you will be redirected to your account.

FAQs and troubleshooting

Please see our dedicated Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Troubleshooting article for common issues and questions.