ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

Getting verified on Facebook and Instagram used to be free. Now it's going to cost around $12 a month. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said over the weekend that he's launching a paid subscription service called Meta Verified. It looks a lot like the one Elon Musk just introduced at Twitter. NPR tech correspondent Dara Kerr is here to talk about it.

Hey, Dara.

DARA KERR, BYLINE: Hello.

SHAPIRO: So why is Facebook going to start charging people to have verified accounts after 20 years?

KERR: So Facebook has been having a hard few months. It's seen plummeting stock prices, and so Zuckerberg might be wanting to make more money. He also says verifying accounts costs a lot, and so he's looking to cover some of those costs. He also may be taking cue from Elon Musk. When he bought Twitter last fall, he had an edict that anyone who wanted a verified account had to pay. So now Zuckerberg seems to be following that playbook.

SHAPIRO: And is this going to be available to anyone?

KERR: Yeah. Anyone can join on. They have to pay. And in the past, verified accounts used to just be for public figures, like the president, Cardi B, journalists. And now if you pay, you can also be one of those verified people. It's $12 a month if you're on the web version, and it'll be $15 a month if you want it for your iPhone.

SHAPIRO: OK. So annually, it's more than $140 a year. What do people get for that?

KERR: Yes, $140 a year. That's more than an account at Netflix or HBO. The verification, which looks like a little blue badge, which - similar to Twitter - is for both Facebook and Instagram. And what Zuckerberg is saying people get is added security and direct access to customer support. So for a while now, a lot of people have complained about not being able to get help when they go to Facebook's homepage and also not being able to find a person to talk to. Zuckerberg didn't give any details about what this added customer support is. He just said that you'll be able to get quote-unquote, "direct access to customer support."

SHAPIRO: And also added account security - what does that mean for people who are using Facebook and Instagram?

KERR: So we should look at first at what happened at Twitter. When Twitter opened up its verified accounts to all users, we saw a huge tidal wave of spam and impersonation, and that caused all sorts of problems. But with Facebook, it's a little bit different. Zuckerberg said that they are going to use actual government IDs to verify people, but that doesn't mean that some spam accounts won't be able to get through.

SHAPIRO: Do you think this pay-for-verification model is here to stay?

KERR: It's hard to say. A lot of tech companies have been having financial troubles over the past few months, and it seems they're trying out different ways to boost their bottom line. What we do know is that for Twitter, it hasn't gone so well. As of January - that's just two months into its service - less than 300,000 people have signed up for that blue check mark. That's less than 0.1% of all of its users.

SHAPIRO: That's NPR tech correspondent Dara Kerr. Thanks a lot.

KERR: Thank you.

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How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2023 [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:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap the hamburger icon in the top right corner
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap Account
4. Tap Request Verification
5. 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.
6. 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!).

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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A post shared by Smash Transit (@smashtransit)

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.

Get Started

Grow on Instagram

Easily create, analyze, and schedule Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels with Hootsuite. Save time and get results.

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How to get a tick on Instagram 2023

.

The blue tick on Instagram is the most coveted of all social networks. Buying it is the most expensive (and Instagram itself officially forbids it), and getting a tick for free is not so easy.

Content:

• What does the tick on Instagram mean
• How to get a tick on Instagram 2023
• How to officially get a tick through the Instagram app
• Why do I need a checkmark?

What does the tick on Instagram mean?

A blue tick is a sign of Instagram account verification, Instagram itself calls such pages “favorites”. Of course, everyone wants to get that blue tick, like stars and famous brands. She makes the account "official" - confirms that it belongs to this particular famous person, and not a fake. Naturally, in such accounts, the price of advertising can be an order of magnitude higher.

But the checkbox does not give any privileges. No personal access to technical support, no priority in the feed, no additional protection against account theft. Therefore, there is no point in trying to get it just like that.

How to get a tick on Instagram 2023

Emoji/special character - copy and paste

One of the options that the most cunning people hope for is to find the blue tick emoji and add it to your name in the Instagram profile. There is NO such tick . Don't search, don't waste your time. You can artificially "draw" it through the web version of instagram.com. It's the same in all youtube videos. But it's only good for taking a screenshot. This blue verification checkmark will only be in your browser, when you refresh the page it will disappear and no one except yourself will see this checkmark anywhere.

Buy a checkmark on Instagram

There is a way to buy a blue checkmark with money. Doubtful sellers for an amount of $ 1000 or more can offer you through their acquaintances, Instagram employees, to verify your account. Whether to trust such proposals is up to you. The official position of Instagram is “we do not sell verification, if we suspect that you received a tick in a fraudulent way, we will take it away.” Therefore, in my opinion, it is better to invest this money in advertising on Instagram, mass following or cheating, at worst.

Therefore, the only way to get a tick on Instagram in 2023 is to pass official verification. It's free, but there's not much chance of success if you don't qualify. About it below.

.

How to officially get a tick on Instagram 2023

If you are a little-known blogger, they don’t write about you, you don’t have tens of thousands of subscribers, forget about the tick. It is better to link Instagram with other social networks so that subscribers know that this is really your account, and not a fake one.

Which pages can make a blue tick on Instagram?

Famous people, athletes, media, entertainment pages and government agencies.

What documents are needed to get a tick on Instagram?

If you are verifying a person's account: passport or driver's license.

If you verify the profile of the organization: registration certificate, corporation charter, tax documents.

It is also necessary to have publications about you in major media.

Additional information

Write why you absolutely need to get a blue tick on your Instagram account.

All this information can be sent via this link
👉 https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/342509036134712

How to get a blue tick via Instagram .

1. Go to settings.
2. Find Account - Confirmation Request.
3. Enter all the information (First and last name, pseudonym), select the account category from those offered. Attach an identity card - a passport or company documents (tax return, utility bill, registration certificate).
4. Click "Submit" and wait for a decision from Instagram.

Why do I need a tick on Instagram?

The blue tick is the most useful when you have a large account and they often try to copy it. Because those who are looking for a famous person through the search immediately see where the real account is and where the fake one is. Instagram itself calls the checkboxes "Confirmed business cards."

But you don't have to go all out for that blue symbol next to your name. Promote your account, attract new subscribers with good content. It is better to invest in advertising, mass following or cheating, at worst. And do not give them to dubious sellers who promise to make a blue tick on Instagram “through a friend.”

How to get verified and get a tick on Instagram

Many influencers, athletes, musicians and various media people, as well as brands, try to get a tick on Instagram, but not everyone succeeds and often not the first time. In the article, we analyze what the blue tick on Instagram means, to whom it is given and what needs to be done for this. We share tips on how to increase the chances of verification.

• What does the blue tick on Instagram mean
• What are the benefits of a tick on Instagram
• Who can get a tick on Instagram
• Why do they give a tick on Instagram: account requirements
• Is it possible to buy a blue tick on Instagram How to get 9012 blue tick on Instagram
• How to increase your chances of getting a tick on Instagram

What does the blue tick mean on Instagram

Some Instagram profiles are marked with a badge with a check mark. This means that the account belongs to a famous person or brand, and the owner has confirmed its authenticity.

What are the benefits of having a check mark on Instagram

It is believed that verification on Instagram increases reach and reduces the likelihood of a ban. There is no evidence for this, however, a tick in the profile still provides some advantages.

People who have achieved a certain popularity sooner or later have fans and imitators. When trying to find an account of a famous person through the search bar, there will be many "left" pages. If the profile is ticked, the target audience will immediately understand who to follow. The same goes for brands.

Another plus is that the checkmark reduces reputational risks. As your fame grows, you may encounter a common problem: scammers create fake pages and deceive gullible people on your behalf. For example, they offer to buy merch or an information product, invest in a “reliable project”, and the like.

Doing this with a verified profile is much more difficult. When searching, users will first of all pay attention to an account with a check mark. In the header, you can indicate that this is the only genuine page, and all others are fakes. If you are in sales, having a badge will increase the confidence of potential buyers.

Try SMS mailings for business

Select the desired segments among subscribers: by age, interests, gender.

Who can get a tick on Instagram

Instagram profile can be verified by public figures who are something of themselves and have reached a certain level of media: actors, athletes, models, politicians, musicians, various representatives of the arts, and so on. There are verified accounts of various areas - makeup artists, lawyers, authors of information products and much more.

Brands that have gained some recognition and fame, at least locally, can also get a tick on Instagram.

Why they give a tick on Instagram: account requirements

There are a number of criteria that a profile must meet in order to receive a badge:

• authenticity - belongs to a real person or an officially registered company;
• uniqueness — it is allowed to have accounts of the same brand in different languages;
• completeness - all information in the bio is indicated, there is an avatar and at least one publication;
• publicity - a community is formed around a person or a brand, which is confirmed by mentions in the media.

Of course, the account must comply with Instagram's terms and conditions of use.

Is it possible to buy a blue tick on Instagram

The official position of Instagram management: accounts that meet all the requirements are verified for free. Any attempt to get a tick around the rules is considered fraud. If the fact of this is revealed, the page will be blocked.

However, there are people who offer to buy a tick, and the demand for this service is quite high. It is safer to cooperate with agencies that work under a contract with a guarantee against deletion and take payment only after verification. However, you need to understand that you agree at your own peril and risk and may lose your profile if something goes wrong. In addition, the cost of the service reaches several thousand dollars, so weigh the pros and cons.

How to get a blue tick on Instagram

Go to settings, click "Account" and select "Request Verification".

An application form for verifying an Instagram account will open. First step: you need to add an official document proving your identity or company registration. Options:

• passport;
• state-issued identity card;
• driver's license;
• tax documents;
• utility bill;
• founding documents of the company.

A nickname will be automatically loaded in the "Username" line, and below you need to specify the full name.

How to get a blue tick on Instagram: fill out a verification application

Second step: confirm that the person or brand you represent is of public interest. Choose a category that characterizes the direction of your profile: media, sports, music, digital content creator, and so on. Indicate the country or region in which you are most popular.

You can also describe your audience: who these people are, what their interests are and why they follow you. Next, list the names or titles by which the person or brand is known. Both items are optional, but we recommend that you complete them to increase your chances of getting a checkmark.

Add links to publications in the media, accounts in other social networks and other sources that prove that you are interesting to people and have a certain media weight. All information is carefully analyzed, so custom articles and other paid content can harm your reputation.

Check the specified data and send a request for verification. Within 30 days you will receive a response with approval or refusal. In the latter case, read the reasons and try again after a month.

How to increase your chances of getting a checkmark on Instagram

Even if your account is 100% compliant with the requirements above, there is no guarantee that you will receive a verification badge. It is useful to take a number of actions that will increase the chances of success.

Grow your audience on Instagram

Accounts with more followers are more likely to get ticked. This is not a mandatory requirement, but there is such an observation. We have articles on how to increase reach and gain an audience on Instagram.

Promote on other sites

Develop accounts on YouTube, Telegram, TikTok and other social networks. Gain followers so that Instagram staff sees interest in you across platforms. It’s great if you can confirm profiles on other sites - this contributes to a positive decision on verification on Instagram.

Increase media exposure

Try to increase the number of mentions of yourself in the media. Participate in events, express an expert opinion on the topics you specialize in, write articles, agree to interviews - perhaps you yourself will be able to propose your candidacy.

We advise you to read:

• “What is a personal brand, how to create and promote it”;
• "Brand promotion on the Internet - how to make the company name recognizable."

Regularly create and publish unique content

A full account creates a positive impression of the owner. It is advisable to post content at least a couple of times a week, while its uniqueness is important. At this stage, it is better not to duplicate photos and videos from other social networks on Instagram, especially those with a TikTok watermark.

Recommended reading:

• “How to create a content plan for Instagram. Rules, tips, examples”;
• “Ideas for posts. 50 ideas for any public and business”;
• "Educational content: how to create and use it in mailing lists";
• “How to write an engaging Instagram post”;
• "Instagram ideas to spice up your business account";
• "How to create a high-quality visual on Instagram."

Do not invite your audience to other social networks

All social networks compete with each other, so you should not invite subscribers to YouTube or TikTok in posts, headers and pinned stories - at least until you get a tick. Show that you are primarily interested in growing your Instagram account. Alternatively, you can place a multilink and specify all links there.

SendPulse has a block constructor to quickly create websites and multilinks. You can add buttons for messengers and social networks, buttons to go to the site and chat bots, a gallery with pictures and videos, multi-channel subscription forms, and also accept payments through popular payment systems. Internal statistics and integration with Google Analytics are available. You can place a Facebook pixel and add a custom code.

A couple more tips

If you want to verify your identity, it is better to take a photo of documents next to your face so that Instagram employees have no doubts about the authenticity.

It is also desirable that the usernames on Instagram and other social networks to which you provide links are the same or as similar as possible.

Monitor the internet for fake accounts with your name and content. If you find such pages, file a complaint immediately.

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