How does instagram verify you

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.

Download now

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 Instagram algorithms work in 2020. Complete guide - Marketing on vc.ru

How to show your content to the maximum number of users? How to collect more likes, comments and video views? Should you use hashtags? When to post? There are many questions. Article one. And she is in front of you.

196 396 views

How does the algorithm actually work? Good question. It has become more and more frequent since Instagram dropped the chronological order of in the issue.

Recently, Instagram specialists have finally revealed their cards and destroyed a bunch of rumors and theories about how the algorithms actually work.

In this article we will tell you everything we know about the algorithm from trusted sources. We at Marketinc have translated a lot of material and have been working hard on this article. I hope you appreciate our efforts.

How the Instagram feed algorithm works in 2020

According to experts from Instagram, there are 6 factors that affect the order of content in the feed:

1. User's interest in content

2. User's relationship with the content creator

3. Relevance

4. Frequency of opening the application by the user

5. Number of user subscriptions

Important

6. User activity on the platform

3 that the algorithm is constantly changing. We will go through as detailed as possible on each of the points, but first we need to dispel a couple of popular myths.

In January 2020, Instagram launched a series of stories from account @creators in which he destroyed the most popular myths associated with the platform. We strongly recommend that you subscribe after reading the article.

We have arranged the data in a small infographic for ease of perception:

For example, you might think that Instagram releases a new version of the algorithm every week, or every month. But it's not.

Instagram algorithms are powered by machine learning, analyze huge amounts of data every day and respond to changing user behavior.

So, let's go through the points:

1. Instagram predicts how interesting it will be for each user

Instagram feed doesn't just give you random posts from the accounts you follow. She takes into account your interests.

The more the algorithm is sure that you will like the proposed post, the more likely it will show it to you.

This confidence comes from your action pattern on the platform. If you like , comment and save each post of Olga Buzova, then after a while her posts will always be the first in your feed.

Also, the platform pays special attention to the posts of those whom you tagged in your posts and stories, whose stories you watch live and whose stories you actively reply and react .

Which metrics are most important for Algorithm

We figured out what content Instagram shows. But how does it determine the order of posts in your feed?

This post is from Instagram*. According to the requirements of Roskomnadzor, we cannot show it

*Meta, which owns Instagram, is recognized as an extremist organization on the territory of the Russian Federation

As Instagram itself tells us, the order of posts in the feed is affected by Engagement metrics. The most important metrics are comments , likes , solvers and views (for videos).

2. Instagram assumes what kind of relationship you have with each of your followers

Instagram shows the posts of your family members and your friends in priority order.

For example, if you comment on a user's every post, or if a user tags you frequently in their posts, it could end up in the "Friends & Family" category.

• People you like (Including stories and live streams)

• People you chat with on DM

• People you search for often

• People you know in real life

This information makes it clear that your behavior on Instagram is the most important factor in the algorithm. For example, you've probably noticed that after you've just subscribed to a user's account, their content appears quite high in the feed. But if you are not active, you are signaling to the platform that you are no longer interested in this content.

3. Relevance as one of the content delivery factors

Nobody wants to see outdated publications. The novelty of the content and the time of its posting affect the reach.

Unfortunately, this point is shrouded in mystery and we have little data on it. We can be sure that Instagram sets a unique time bar for each user. If the account has 2,000 subscribers, the algorithm will be more strict in checking the relevance of the content.

If the user is not active on the platform and follows only 100-200 accounts, then the time frame becomes wider. In the feed, such users see posts even 3-4 days old.

4. How the frequency of opening an application affects the order of content in the feed

Have you ever wondered how often you open the Instagram app every day? Count, the number will surprise you.

42%
Instagram users open apps more than once a day

If you are a frequent visitor to the platform and open the application several times a day, your feed will look like a chronological one. Instagram will show you everything that has happened since your last visit to the platform.

If you visit Instagram once a day or less, the content will be sorted by the platform's algorithms and the chronology will not be respected.

5. How content delivery changes relative to the number of subscriptions

How many subscriptions do you have? If you follow a large number of accounts, the platform has more options for choosing content in order to show it to you. So you will not see content from each user.

I highly recommend keeping your subscription bar below 100. The fewer subscriptions you have, the less time you spend on the platform and the more time you can devote to more important things. Filter the list of your subscriptions and leave only those you care about.

Mark Martyanov, CEO Marketinc

6. Algorithms track the time you spend on the platform

Have you ever visited the Your Activities section in your Instagram settings? If not, we recommend. The numbers may surprise you.

This is what the statistics on my account look like. I try to minimize the time spent on the platform as much as possible. I advise you to think about how you can reduce this figure Mark Martyanov

This item is simple. Instagram will show you as much content per day as you can watch. The amount of content for an account with 30 minutes spent on the platform per day and for an account with 7 hours (and believe me, this is not the limit) will be different.

How algorithms work in Instagram Stories

Those stories that appear first in the feed are the stories of those accounts that Instagram considers interesting to you. Those accounts whose posts you respond to : comment, like, reshare and save.

The Stories algorithm also pays great attention to relevance, since the very essence of Stories is to show the latest news from users' lives. Therefore, some accounts that post stories can often be at the top of the feed, even if you do not often interact and react to them.

Also, the more opportunities you leave for your followers to interact with your stories, the more there will be. Logically.

Use whatever you can interact with. Polls , questions , sliders , tests , chats . This will help you reach a large audience on a daily basis.

How the Instagram algorithm works in IGTV

IGTV alive? In short, yes.

Since IGTV is a relatively new platform, there is little information on how the algorithms work , but we can assume that the criteria for issuing videos on Instagram TV and in the feed intersect.

The platform shows you videos based on your interests. You can also watch popular videos in a separate tab.

If you think IGTV is a dead tool. That, it's not. Here is one of the arguments:

This is an Instagram post*. According to the requirements of Roskomnadzor, we cannot show it

*Meta, which owns Instagram, is recognized as an extremist organization on the territory of the Russian Federation

4 times more, Carl. It is a good idea to post videos longer than a minute on IGTV and collect more viral coverage.

How the Algorithm works in the "Recommendations" or "Explore page" tab

The Recommendations tab has its own algorithm and Instagram is working hard to make this page as personalized as possible for each individual user.

The algorithms of the "Recommendations" tab and the feed are similar - they both show content that you are very likely to like based on your reactions.

The algorithm is very sensitive . You can conduct an experiment and within 3-4 hours like and comment on posts of a certain topic. As a result, you will get a feed full of posts on this topic.

Earlier this year, Instagram launched channels based on topics on the "Recommendations" page. Take note of them. Perhaps in the near future it will be possible to put tags on posts that will help the content to be indexed in these channels.

Fortunately, getting into the "Recommendations" feed is not rocket science. We have a lot of information about this and often do it for our clients.

If this article gets 50 upvotes we will release a detailed article on how to get into the "Explore page" feed

So, at the moment, this is all the information available on the Internet about Instagram algorithms. If this article was useful or interesting, save it and upvote, VC also has algorithms)

Feedback is extremely important to us, so please leave a comment. We will read and communicate with you.

We at Marketinc keep track of all new foreign vehicles and try to be the first to adapt them to the Russian market.

We are not bad, by the way. Read more information about foreign SMM techniques in our VK group. We can also talk about a joint project. Write to the PM of the group

A reliable way to find out who unfollowed you on Instagram

In general, it is impossible to find out who unsubscribed on Instagram * - the social network does not send notifications when someone stops being your follower. And even in the statistics of business accounts and profiles of the author, it is impossible to see who exactly left. There is only general information about the number of new subscriptions and unsubscribes.

If you only have 100-200 followers and follow them all in response, of course you can check the list manually . But if there are thousands of subscribers or you do not mutually subscribe to everyone who is added, this is unrealistic.

The only solution in this case is to use third party applications. But it's dangerous. Any such programs require authorization with a username and password from Instagram * and can then use your account for their own purposes: follow someone or just hack. We will talk about applications for viewing unsubscribers, but we do not recommend using them.

Attention! It will be possible to see the unsubscribers only for the period of application operation. It is impossible to find out who stopped being a follower a couple of days ago.

Android Apps

All Android apps to find out who unfollowed on Instagram* are available in the Play Market. There are many of them, and we will tell you about the most interesting ones:

Unfollower for Instagram* (4.5 ☆). The service was created for mass unsubscribing from those who are not subscribed to you. It does not notify that someone has ceased to be your follower, but shows such people in the general list.

You can unsubscribe from 10 people at the same time through the application. Free - only 5 times, for viewing ads. Paywall costs 4.99$.

FollowMeter (3.9☆). The application was created for complex account analytics. It shows who unfollowed you, as well as those who:

did not follow you mutually;
has blocked you;
viewed your stories;
watches your stories the most;
goes to your profile, but does not show itself in any way.

The service also generates reports on posts - it shows the most effective ones so that you can repeat the success later. But it collects incomplete data, unlike other analytics tools on Instagram*.

Basic functions, including viewing unsubscribers, are free. For the rest, you will have to pay - $ 1.99 to $ 23.88 per item.

"Reports+ for Instagram*" (3.0☆). Analyzes subscribers, including showing who unsubscribed. Also allows you to see who:

visits the profile;
doesn't follow you back;
is most interested in you.

Advanced post and activity analytics are also available. Most of the reports are limited - for example, you can view the last five visits to the profile. To get more information, you need to watch ads or pay premium access. It costs from 2.9$9 per week.

Users complain about attempts to hack accounts after authorization. The second most popular complaint is that money is being debited, but the premium access features remain closed.

Apps on iOS

Several apps are also available in the App Store. Here are the two most popular:

“Instagram Followers* Analytics” (4.8☆). Notifies you of unsubscribes and shows a list of everyone who stopped following you, blocked or didn't follow you back. See also:

helps you analyze your account and engagement;
publishes the latest social media news;
shows the most popular and newest hashtags;
allows you to earn coins.

Coins received in the application can be spent on cheating subscribers. Most users are dissatisfied with the function - the balance is empty, but new followers do not come.

You can watch unsubscribes for free. For money, you can buy subscribers, the cost of packages is from 99 ₽ to 22 990 ₽.

“Who unsubscribed on Instagram*” (3.8 ☆). An application for comprehensive account analytics. In total, it has more than 30 metrics - in addition to viewing the unsubscribers, you can see who:

subscribes and does not subscribe in response;
blocks your account;
removes comments and likes from your posts.

The app also offers story templates, an automatic photo tag generator, a selection of the best tags, and post performance analytics.

You will have to pay for most features. The cost is from 599 ₽ to 2,390 ₽, depending on the chosen tariff.

We remind you that using such services is risky. Instagram* may temporarily block a profile if it notices suspicious activity on it. Or you will stumble upon scammers and your account will simply be "taken away". This is especially true for those services that require a login and password for your Instagram * account - be careful!

It is better not to track the actions of each follower, but to work with the audience as a whole: publish interesting and useful content for them - this way you will get loyal subscribers. How do you know what to write about? Pepper.Ninja will help you learn more about your followers: who they are, where they live, what they do and are interested in. And DataFan will report on activity and engagement: what publications work best, at what time you get the most likes, what is the reach of your publications.