How can your instagram account be verified
Understanding Verification on Instagram
Over the last few months, we’ve made some updates to improve the verification application process on Instagram and Facebook. Here’s more info about what’s changed, what you should keep in mind when applying for verification, plus some other answers to frequently asked questions.
What is verification?
At its core, verification is a way for people to know that the notable accounts they are following or searching for are exactly who they say they are. It’s a way for people to know which accounts are authentic and notable. Verification badges aren’t an endorsement from us, nor do we consider them a symbol of importance.
As a part of our ongoing equity work, we revisited our verification process and found that some people were uncertain about the purpose of verification, how accounts get verified and whether verification affects how an account is treated on Instagram and Facebook.
Over the last few months, we’ve made it a bit easier for people to request verification by updating the form you see in the app. We made updates so people can better understand what needs to be submitted for verification, and to offer more transparency on our requirements. These requirements are consistent across Facebook and Instagram.
How do I get verified?
To be verified, you must follow our Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. In the application process (available directly in the app) we require the following things:
Your account must represent a real person, registered business or entity.
Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Notable entities (for example pets or publications) are also eligible.
Only one account per person or business may be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
Your account must be public and have a bio, profile photo and at least one post.
Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand or entity.
We verify accounts that are featured in multiple news sources.
We don't consider paid or promotional content as news sources. Across Instagram and Facebook, we recently expanded our list of news sources to include more diverse outlets including those from additional Black, LGBTQ+, Latinx media, and including more outlets from around the world for example. With the updates we’ve made, people can also now share information about their audience, the region they're most popular in, and add up to five news articles to help our teams have more context when reviewing the applications.
What does verification mean and NOT mean?
Simply put, verification signals authenticity and notability. It’s not an endorsement from us, and being verified doesn’t mean that your content is favored by our systems in terms of where your content shows up. We try to ensure impartiality in the verification application process by relying on sources such as credible press coverage and examining the person’s cultural impact. For example: are they currently a big part of what people in their community are talking about? Have they recently gone viral?
Unfortunately, we know verified accounts can present a security risk for account holders.
Hackers may attempt to take control of a verified account to sell the badge (as well as the hard-earned following). We highly recommend that verified accounts have two-factor authentication set up for protection from hacking and to be mindful of scams and impersonation attempts.
Can I transfer my verification badge over to another account?
Verified accounts can’t change the account’s name or transfer that verification onto a different account. The purpose of the blue badge is for people to know that the account has been vetted and we have confirmed that they are who they say they are.
What happens when we detect a suspicious or malicious verification?
If we find that verification was acquired in a malicious way, or that an individual is selling verified accounts to others, we will take action. We conduct regular sweeps both on and off the platform to find and remove malicious actors from Instagram. Learn more about Instagram’s Community Guidelines here.
We’re always making changes to improve everyone’s experience on Instagram and Facebook, and we hope this post helps explain how things work when it comes to verification.
For more information on verification, check out our Help Center.
How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2022 [6 Simple Steps]
If you want to know how to get verified on Instagram, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we’ll tell you how to apply for that coveted blue badge (that’s the easy part) and provide some tips to help you qualify (that’s the hard part).
What does Instagram verification mean?
Who can get verified on Instagram?
How to get verified on Instagram in 6 steps
10 tips to get verified on Instagram
Instagram verification FAQ
Bonus: 14 Time-Saving Hacks for Instagram Power Users. Get the list of secret shortcuts Hootsuite’s own social media team uses to create thumb-stopping content.
What does Instagram verification mean?
Instagram verification is the process of getting a blue checkmark badge that tells other users on the platform that an account really belongs to the user, artist, brand, or organization it represents.
You’ve probably seen plenty of verification badges around. As with Twitter, Facebook and, yes, Tinder, the little blue checkmarks are meant to indicate that the platform has confirmed the account in question is trustworthy, or at least they are who they say they are.
These badges are designed to make the real accounts stand out, so that Instagram users can be sure they’re following the right person or brand. They’re easy to spot in search results and on profiles, and they convey authority.
Source: @creators
It’s easy to see why verification badges are also a coveted status symbol. They’re rare, and exclusivity lends a certain amount of prestige—which may or may not translate to better engagement.
That said, Instagram is clear that verified accounts (just like business accounts) don’t get special treatment from the Instagram algorithm. In other words: if it is true that verified accounts earn higher engagement on average, it’s because they’re posting great content that resonates with their audience.
Who can get verified on Instagram?
Anyone can request a verified badge on Instagram. However, Instagram is notoriously picky (and in many ways mysterious) about who actually gets verified. So, if you’re running an account that’s right on the cusp of “notable,” how do you know if you meet the criteria?
Just because you have a blue checkmark on Twitter or Facebook, for instance, doesn’t guarantee you’ll get one on Instagram.
Instagram is blunt, saying that “Only some public figures, celebrities, and brands have verified badges on Instagram.” In other words: “only accounts with a high likelihood of being impersonated.”
Here is what we do know about eligibility.
First, you must adhere to the network’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. On top of that, your account must meet each of these criteria:
- Authentic: does your account represent a real person, registered business, or brand? You cannot be a meme page or a fan account.
- Unique: only one account per person or business can get Instagram verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
- Public: private Instagram accounts do not qualify for verification.
- Complete: do you have a complete bio, profile picture, and at least one post?
- Notable: this is where things get subjective, but Instagram defines a notable name as one that is “well-known” and “highly searched for.”
If you’re relatively confident you meet these criteria, or you just feel like rolling the dice, it’s time to go ahead and verify your Instagram account.
How to get verified on Instagram in 6 steps
If you’re a visual learner, watch our video that covers everything you need to know about getting verified on Instagram. Otherwise, keep reading!
The verification process on Instagram is actually quite simple:
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap the hamburger icon in the top right corner
- Tap Settings
- Tap Account
- Tap Request Verification
- Fill in the application form.
- Your legal name
- Your “known as” or working name (if applicable)
- Select your category or industry (for example: blogger/influencer, sports, news/media, business/brand/organization, etc.)
- You also need to submit a photo of your official government ID. For individuals, that could be a driver’s license or passport. For businesses, a utility bill, an official business document, or tax filings will do.
- Tap Send.
According to Instagram, after their team reviews your application, you’ll receive a response in your notifications tab.
Because of historical and ongoing issues with scammers, Instagram is very clear that they will never email you, ask for money, or otherwise reach out.
Within a few days or a week (some say it can take up to 30 days), you’ll receive a direct yes or no. No feedback or explanation.
This is what a no looks like:
And here’s a yes, break out the bubbly:
10 tips to get verified on Instagram
So, yes, anyone can apply for verification on Instagram. But actually getting approved is a lot tougher.
We’ve gone ahead and compiled all the best practices that will maximize your chances of getting verified as you move forward with your quest to prove your brand’s noteworthiness.
1. Don’t try to buy an Instagram verification badge
We’ll get this one out of the way first: that guy in your comments who says his friend works for Instagram? Please do not give him money.
The same goes for any third-party app or random account that offers “full refunds.
” And for any random account that DMs you because they want to sell you their badge because they “don’t need it anymore.”
Instagram scammers know that people and businesses feel outsized emotions about the blue check, and some are pretty effective at appearing legit, so stay on your guard. And remember that Instagram will never request payment, and will never contact you.
Tl;dr: The only way to get verified is through the official form, unless you are Jennifer Aniston (in which case, scroll down to Tip #7: Work with an agency or publicist, or maybe stop reading this article entirely because you’re doing great!).
Bonus: 14 Time-Saving Hacks for Instagram Power Users. Get the list of secret shortcuts Hootsuite’s own social media team uses to create thumb-stopping content.
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2. Monitor for impostor accounts
If you’re struggling with persistent unauthorized, fake, or fan accounts impersonating your brand, then we have good news for you.
You’re a prime candidate for verification on Instagram. After all, distinguishing real accounts from fake ones is verification’s stated purpose.
Your annual social media audit should make it clear whether impostor accounts are a problem for you. You’ll want to monitor and document these accounts using a social media monitoring tool like Zerofox’s Hootsuite integration.
3. Get more (real) followers
Look, we don’t have the numbers but it honestly feels sometimes like you need a ridiculous number of followers in order to get verified. There is absolutely no evidence that this is a real rule, but—it can’t hurt? Or maybe correlation does not imply causation after all?
Actually, what is more likely is that as people or brands get more noteworthy on and off Instagram, follower counts rise alongside.
If you want to hedge your bets and play it both ways—chicken and egg—here’s some inspiration for how to get more Instagram followers.
Pro Tip: Just don’t try to take a shortcut and buy your Instagram followers.
(Plus, breaking the Community Guidelines and then asking Instagram to examine your account is a very effective way to get your account shut down.)
4. Delete any cross-platform links in your bio
In what some might call a slightly petty move (we would never dare), Instagram insists that verified accounts can’t have so-called “add me” links to other social media services in their Instagram profiles. You can include links to your website, landing pages, or other online properties, just definitely don’t link to your YouTube or Twitter account.
On the other hand, if you have a blue checkmark on your Facebook profile but not on your Instagram account, Instagram does explicitly encourage you to link to your Instagram account from your Facebook page to help prove your authenticity.
5. Be highly-searched for
Social media is all about serendipitous, organic discovery (this is what the Instagram Explore page is for, anyway—and making it big there can have a real impact on your engagement and follower count).
But when it comes to verification, Instagram wants to know if people care about you enough to tear themselves away from the seductions of the feed and spontaneously type your name into the search bar.
While Instagram doesn’t provide analytics on this data, we’d put money on the fact that Instagram’s verification team does have access, and will check up on how often users are searching for you. Which leads us to our next point…
6. Apply when your name is in the news
Google yourself. Has your brand been featured in multiple news sources? Did a recent press release or white paper get picked up? Do you have a sound bite or a profile in a major international publication? Paid or promotional content definitely does not count.
If PR hasn’t been a priority for your brand thus far, you might have a more difficult time proving how “notable” you are. Especially because there’s no place to submit your proof: Instagram does its own research, so it’s up to you to make sure your news is above the fold and impossible to ignore.
If you’ve recently experienced a windfall of attention, or you’re planning a big announcement, think about capitalizing on it and applying for that checkmark while your name is hot.
7. Work with an agency or publicist
If you have the budget and the ambition, hire a reputable digital agency that has access to Facebook’s Media Partner Support tools. Your publicist or agent will be able to submit requests to claim usernames, merge accounts, and get accounts verified through their industry-only portal.
Is verification guaranteed? Of course not. But a request from an industry professional through the Media Partner Support panel carries more weight and distinguishes you from the crowd.
8. Be honest
This tip should be a no-brainer, but because the consequences are dire we feel compelled to highlight it. In your application to be verified, you have to be truthful above all else.
Use your real name. Choose an appropriate category. Definitely don’t falsify any government documents.
If you stretch the truth anywhere in your application, Instagram says that it will not only deny your request, but it may delete your account as well.
9. Make sure your profile and bio are complete and effective
Instagram’s listed requirements for verification (a bio, a profile pic and one post? really?) are a low bar. You don’t just want to meet it. You want to hurtle over it.
Optimizing your Instagram bio will not just impress the verification team when they come to check you out, but can pay ongoing dividends in the form of new followers and conversions.
10. If you’re turned down the first time, try again
If, after all your hard work, Instagram comes back with a rejection, embrace the opportunity to zero in on your goals and redouble your efforts.
Hone your Instagram strategy, build a dedicated following, and earn buzz off the platform as well.
And then, whether you wait the 30 required days or spend a few fiscal quarters hitting your KPIs, you can apply again.
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Instagram verification FAQ
How many followers do you need to get verified on Instagram?
Technically, there is no minimum follower count for getting verified on Instagram. As long as you are able to prove that you are a “notable,” or highly searched for, person (or your account represents a widely recognized business or organization), you can get your account verified regardless of your number of followers.
How much does it cost to get IG verified?
Instagram verification is free. Instagram will never ask for payment for the verification badge, and if someone is offering to verify your account for money, they are trying to scam you.
How do you get a blue check on Instagram without being famous?
To get a blue check on Instagram, you have to prove that your account may be impersonated because you are a notable public figure or represent a widely recognized organization.
Save time managing your Instagram presence by using Hootsuite to schedule and publish posts, grow your audience, and track success with easy-to-use analytics—all from the same dashboard that you run your other social media profiles on. Try it free today.
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How to verify your Instagram account and what requirements you need to meet
Instagram has become one of the most popular apps worldwide . The photo social network is carving out its niche in the market by incorporating new features that make it more complete, just like your ID cards, recently introduced. You may have noticed that many of the accounts in the app are verified. This is something we can do ourselves.
Therefore below We will show you the steps to follow to verify your Instagram account.
. In addition, we will show you the requirements that you must meet in order to complete this process. This way you will get all the information about it.
Postal code
- 1 Instagram verification requirements
- 2 Verify your Instagram account
- 2.1 More Instagram lessons
Instagram verification requirements
We can submit a verification request if we want, but Instagram has a set of requirements that all users must meet in order to receive this symbol and status in the app. These are the requirements:
- Comply with the application rules: Of course, each social network profile must comply with Instagram's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. This way you can get confirmation.
- Single account : This account must be unique to the person or company on the social network.
The exception is that these are official accounts in different languages, as some brands do. But only one account per person is checked. - Public and full profile : No private social network profiles are checked. In addition, we must fill in all personal details and have a profile photo.
- Real account : This must be a real account belonging to a real person or company. Fake account will not be verified on Instagram
- Corresponding account: The account you want to verify must be known or cause a lot of inquiries and interest from users. Therefore, Instagram will look for your name in the news to see if it is worth verifying this account. So this is reserved for celebrities.
- Nothing in common : Accounts with general interest, although popular, are not considered relevant on the social network. They will not receive confirmation.
- Cannot offer to add you to other social networks.
: We cannot indicate in the account description that they add us to an alternative social network or that we have links to them. This is done in order not to generate traffic to the competition. - False Information Not Allowed : If you provide false information during the verification process, the badge will be removed. And your account may even be completely deleted.
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Verify your Instagram account
Once we know the requirements that the social network is asking for, we can start the whole process. We are about to complete a request to verify our Instagram account. To do this, we must first go to our profile There, in the social network, we click on the three vertical bars in the upper right corner.
Then we get some options and we have to click on the configuration that appears at the bottom of the screen. When we are inside the configuration, We need to go to the Request verification section which we can find in the Account section in this configuration.
Then a new screen will appear in which we will need to fill in our details. Fields we are asked to complete:
- Username : This is already filled in by Instagram itself
- given name : Real name and surname
- You are known as : If you use any stage name or alias by which you are known on the Internet.
- Category : You must select the category to which your profile belongs from the list given to you by
- Attach a picture of your ID : Attach a picture of your ID
When we have filled in this information, we just need to submit this request. Instagram has already received it, and then it remains to wait until the social network checks it. They will contact you to let you know whether it was accepted or not.
More tutorials on Instagram
- How to ask questions on Instagram Stories
- How to activate data saving on Instagram
- How to clear your Instagram search history
- How to upload a 1 hour vertical video to Instagram
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Instagram blue tick: how to get
At the end of August 2018, for the first time on Instagram, it became possible to directly submit a request for verification of your account in order to receive the coveted "blue tick".
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On Instagram, blue tick icons are quite rare, even among famous brands and celebrities. The process of verifying (verifying) an account has always been shrouded in a halo of uncertainty - no one has ever known how the verification takes place. There is even a special black market where treasured verified account badges are offered for thousands of dollars.
Now everything has changed. From now on, the verification process has become much simpler and clearer.
Now any user can apply for verification of their account by going through a few steps.
From the description of the new Instagram verification system:
“The checkmark is an important sign that the account you are dealing with actually belongs to a well-known public figure, celebrity or global brand. Starting today, we are providing accounts with a large number of followers and who meet our requirements with a new option to submit a verification request through a special form in the Instagram app.”
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How to get a blue tick on Instagram
Submit a request
1. Open your Instagram profile and go to "Settings".
2. Follow the path “Account” → “Confirmation request” .
3. Provide the required information.
4.
Provide proof of identity (passport or driver's license). Alternatively, you can submit utility bills or tax returns. Don't worry, these documents won't show up in your account.
If the name on your identification documents does not match your username, it may be difficult to verify your account.
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Wait
Once you've done all of the above, please be patient while Instagram checks your details. They will inform you of their decision in a special notice. If rejected, you can reapply after 30 days.
Tips and Requirements
Please make sure your account meets the requirements before you apply for verification. First of all, your account must not violate the terms of the user agreement. In addition, Instagram experts will review your page for “authenticity, uniqueness, completeness, and outstanding qualities.
”
What do these definitions mean for Instagram? Authenticity implies that the account actually belongs to a real person, brand or registered company.
Uniqueness means that only one account belonging to one person or company can get verified status. The exception is accounts created for certain languages. Accounts dedicated to broad interests (for example, dogs) are not subject to verification.
An account is considered complete if it is open, with a required profile photo, completed bio, and at least one post. Please note that the page should not contain links to your profiles in other social networks.
The last criterion is the most stringent. On Instagram, an account that belongs to a famous person or brand is considered outstanding, which is often entered into the search engine. The social network regularly checks the pages that “glow” in the news, while paid content is not taken into account. Although the account verification process is now much more transparent, the last criterion can be interpreted in different ways.
