You've come to the right site if you're wondering how to get verified on Instagram. We'll show you how to apply for that coveted blue badge (the easy part) and give you some pointers to help you qualify (the difficult half).
Contents Table of Contents
What exactly is Instagram verification?
Who is eligible for Instagram verification?
How to get verified on Instagram in 6 easy step
How to Verify Your Instagram Account
How to keep your Instagram account verified
What exactly is Instagram verification?
Instagram verification is the process of proving that your Instagram account is the genuine representation of a famous person, celebrity, or worldwide company.
You've undoubtedly noticed a lot of verification badges. The small blue checkmarks, like those on Twitter, Facebook, and, yes, Tinder, signify that the site has verified that the account in question is trustworthy, or at least who they say they are.
These badges are meant to distinguish genuine accounts so that Instagram users may be sure they're following the appropriate person or brand. They stand out in search results and on profiles, and they exude authority.
Instagram's blue checkmark emblem for creators
It's understandable why verification badges are prized status symbols. They're uncommon, and rarity confers reputation, which may or may not translate into more engagement.
However, Instagram makes it clear that verified accounts (like business accounts) are not given preferential consideration by the Instagram algorithm. In other words, if verified accounts do get more engagement on average, it's because they provide amazing material that resonates with their followers.
Who is eligible for Instagram verification?
On Instagram, anyone can request a verified badge. However, who gets verified on Instagram is famously picky (and in many ways mysterious). So, if you're managing an account that's on the verge of becoming "notable," how do you know if you've met the requirements?
It doesn't mean you'll receive a blue checkmark on Instagram just because you have one on Twitter or Facebook.
"On Instagram, only some prominent figures, celebrities, and corporations have verified badges," Instagram says bluntly. "Only accounts with a high risk of being impersonated," in other words.
What we do know regarding eligibility is as follows.
You must first comply with the network's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Furthermore, your account must meet each of the following requirements:
Is your account authentic? Does it represent a real person, a registered corporation, or a brand? You can't be a fan account or a meme page.
Instagram verification is limited to one account per person or business, with the exception of language-specific profiles.
Private Instagram profiles are ineligible for verification.
Is your bio, profile photo, and at least one post complete?
A notable name is one that is "well-known" and "frequently searched for," according to Instagram.
If you're quite certain you match these requirements, or if you just want to take a chance, go ahead and verify your Instagram account.
Is it possible to earn an Instagram verification badge without being well-known?
The good news is that you can do it!
You can get verified on Instagram if you meet all of the following criteria and offer proof of "notability" (showing that the person, brand, organisation, publication, or pet your account represents is in the public interest). In terms of Instagram verification, the number of followers isn't a factor.
How to get verified on Instagram in 6 easy steps
Instagram's verification process is actually fairly simple:
Tap the hamburger icon in the top right corner of your profile.
Select Settings.
Select Account.
Request Verification by tapping fill out an application for Instagram verification.
Fill out the application form completely.
Your official name
Your professional or "known as" name (if applicable)
Choose your industry or sector (for example, blogger/influencer, sports, news/media, business/brand/organization, and so on).
A photo of your valid government ID is also required. A driver's licence or passport are examples of acceptable identification. A power bill, an official business document, or tax filings will suffice for businesses.
Select Send.
According to Instagram, you'll get a response in your notifications area when their team analyses your application. Instagram is quite explicit that they will never email you, ask for money, or otherwise contact you due to past and ongoing concerns with scammers.
You'll get a direct yes or no within a few days or a week. There was no response or explanation.
The Instagram account does not match the requirements for verification.
And here's why you should pop the cork:
Instagram account meets verification message requirements
How to Verify Your Instagram Account
So, certainly, anyone may apply for Instagram verification. However, getting accepted is far more difficult.
We've listed all of the finest practises that will increase your chances of success as you continue your journey to establish your brand's worthiness.
Do not attempt to purchase a verification badge.
First and foremost, that person in your comments who claims that his friend works for Instagram? Please don't give him any cash.
Any third-party software or random account that offers "complete refunds" is the same.
The same goes for an account DMing you to sell you their badge because they "don't need it anymore."
Instagram scammers are well aware that people and businesses have strong feelings about the blue check, and some are very good at appearing legitimate, so be cautious. Also, keep in mind that Instagram will never ask for cash or contact you.
Watch out for fake accounts.
We have some good news for you if you've been dealing with unapproved, fraudulent, or fan accounts misrepresenting your business. You're an excellent candidate for Instagram verification. After all, the declared goal of verification is to distinguish authentic accounts from bogus ones.
Obtain more (true) followers
Look, we don't have the figures, but it sometimes feels like you need a ludicrous amount of followers to be verified. There's no proof that this is an actual rule, but it can't harm, right? Or is it possible that correlation does not imply causation?
Actually, as people or brands get more well-known on and off Instagram, their follower counts are likely to increase.
Here's some inspiration for how to obtain more Instagram followers if you want to hedge your bets and play it both ways—chicken and egg.
Pro Tip: Don't try to save time by purchasing Instagram followers. (Plus, breaching the Community Guidelines and then requesting an investigation by Instagram is a certain way to get your account deactivated.)
Remove any links in your bio that are cross-platform.
Instagram insists that verified accounts can't have so-called "add me" links to other social media services on their Instagram profiles, which some would term petty (we wouldn't dare). You can connect to your website, landing pages, or other internet properties, but not to your YouTube or Twitter accounts.
If your Facebook profile has a blue checkmark but your Instagram account does not, Instagram encourages you to connect to your Instagram account from your Facebook page to help confirm your authenticity.
Be highly sought after.
Making it big on Instagram Explore can have a tremendous influence on your engagement and follower count. Social media is all about spontaneous, organic discovery (which is what the Explore tab is for, anyhow).
When it comes to verification, though, Instagram wants to know if people care about you enough to leave the seductions of the feed and type your name into the search field on their own.
While Instagram does not disclose metrics on this data, we believe Instagram's verification team has access to it and will monitor how frequently users look for you. Which brings us to the following point...
When your name is in the news, apply.
Google your own name. Has your company been mentioned in several news outlets? Is it possible that a recent press release or white paper has been picked up? Have you been featured in a major international publication or have a sound bite? Paid or promotional content is not acceptable.
If public relations hasn't been a focus for your company thus far, proving how "notable" you are may be more difficult. Especially when there isn't anywhere to send your proof: Instagram conducts its own research, so it's up to you to make sure your news is visible and unmissable.
If you've lately gotten a lot of publicity or are planning a big announcement, take advantage of it by applying for that checkmark while your name is still popular.
Work with a public relations firm or a publicist.
Hire a credible digital agency with access to Facebook's Media Partner Support resources if you have the budget and the ambition. Through their industry-only site, your publicist or agency will be able to submit requests to claim usernames, consolidate accounts, and have accounts validated.
Is verification absolutely certain? Obviously not. A request from an industry specialist via the Media Partner Support panel, on the other hand, carries more weight and sets you out from the pack.
Be truthful.
This is a no-brainer, but the implications are so severe that we feel forced to mention it. To have your application confirmed, you must first and foremost be truthful.
Please use your full name. Select a suitable category. Do not, under any circumstances, misrepresent any government documents.
Instagram claims that if you lie anywhere in your application, it will not only decline your request, but it may even destroy your account.
Make sure your bio and profile are up to date and effective.
Verification criteria on Instagram (a bio, a profile pic, and one post? really?) are a poor standard. You don't want to just meet it. You want to smash through it.
When the verification team comes to check you out, optimising your Instagram bio will not only wow them, but it will also pay off in the shape of more followers and conversions.
If you are initially rejected, try again.
If you get a rejection from Instagram after all your hard work, take it as an opportunity to focus on your goals and redouble your efforts.
Develop your Instagram strategy, gain a loyal following, and generate attention outside of the platform.
After that, you can apply again after waiting the required 30 days or hitting your KPIs for a few fiscal quarters.
How to keep your Instagram account verified
How do you keep your badge once you've acquired it? It's quite straightforward. Even if you're no longer doing the thing that made you "notable," Instagram verification appears to be given indefinitely. However, there are some hard and fast laws to follow.
Make your profile public.
A public, unlocked account is required to apply for verification and to maintain verification.
Follow the rules.
Any account that violates Instagram's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines will be blocked or removed, but tremendous power comes with great responsibility. Verified accounts are not exempt from being ethical, real, and upstanding community members.
Verification is only the beginning.
To preserve your Instagram verification badge, you must complete the bare minimum of activity: a profile photo and one post. We don't advocate going much lower. We strongly advise you to do a lot more.
Use your new blue mark of authority to perfect your Instagram strategy and start publishing fascinating material for your followers. The checkmark alone does not define a brand.
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