How to get instagram certification

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 to become a Facebook certified specialist - Marketing on vc.ru

Hello everyone, my name is Sasha Purgin. I am the social media director of the Share agency and a certified Facebook Blueprint specialist. I will tell you about my experience of passing certification: how to prepare for it and what you need to know.

19915 views

I dreamed of putting such a stele at my place, but the support service assured that they were not issued in Russia yet

Why certification is needed

Its only real purpose is to help the owner stand out from other targetologists and agencies. But there are also several other nice bonuses:

Participate in previously unavailable tenders. Once I met the requirement: "The presence of at least one certified Facebook Blueprint specialist in the team."
If you are a freelancer, you will have an argument to raise your paycheck after you receive your certification.
If you are a beginner, you will understand the advertising tools of Zuckerberg's sites.
If you're already working on projects, you'll learn about tools you've never even heard of and can add value to your clients.
Two more points for colleagues abroad. A certificate is one of the requirements to join the Facebook Marketing Partner Program.
In some countries, a glass stele is issued with the certificate.

What is Facebook Blueprint

This is a platform with free courses on Facebook ad inventory and other platforms owned by Zuckerberg. There you can find information about what advertising tools are, how they work and how to get the best result.

Facebook divides all material into blocks, the so-called Paths. There are courses of different skill levels and on different topics. Choose them on the Facebook Business website in the "Education" section.

Which certificates can be obtained

There are three test and three practical exams. In the list, respectively, from the first to the third - test, from the fourth to the sixth - practical:

According to the basic knowledge of the Facebook, Instagram, Messenger tools - 100-101: Facebook Certified Digital Marketing Associate.
Facebook Advertising Campaign Planning Professional Competencies - 400-101: Facebook Certified Media Planning Professional.
Professional Facebook Campaign Creation and Traffic Buying - 410-101: Facebook Certified Media Buying Professional.
Pixel, Standard Events, Custom Conversions Task - 500-101: Facebook Certified Ads Product Developer I.
SDK and App Events, Dynamic Remarketing, Offline Conversions Task - 510-101: Facebook Certified Ads Product Developer II.
Facebook Marketing API Assignment - 520-101: Facebook Certified Ads Product Developer III.

In March 2019, when I was certified, special tests could only be taken after the basic one. Now you can immediately choose specialized.

How to prepare for

certification

Facebook cares about you. You don't have to read the entire Blueprint Help to pass the exam. You can follow any of the links to the exam page and Facebook will suggest the courses and practice tests you need to prepare.

I recommend doing so. It's convenient and efficient. You spend time only on the necessary training, get used to the test format and pass.

If you need a specific certificate, go to the exam section and follow the Facebook guidelines

Mock tests now only work for the first three exams. For practical exams, training tasks are also provided, but they do not work for me. Perhaps by the time you are reading this article, they have been fixed.

There are almost no resources on the Internet that have tests for training. I found only one worthwhile - Markeko. If you want to take mock tests other than the ones in Blueprint, try this site.

Be sure to practice, especially if you use Facebook and its advertising account in Russian. Sometimes the wording of the social network in English is very different from Russian and you need to get used to them.

What is important to know before the exam

You have already understood that the certification is in English. To pass, you need a language level of at least Intermediate. You cannot use a dictionary, any devices or objects during the exam.

The certificate is issued for a year, then you need to re-certify. And it is better to pass the first time, because each attempt is paid. If not returned, the money will not be returned. In Russia, the price for certification is from $50 to $70, depending on the task. In other countries, one attempt costs up to $150.

Time for test exams is given with a margin. I calmly and without haste solved the tasks. I'll tell you a little more about what to expect during the delivery.

Exam 9 process0003

You first register on the Facebook Blueprint platform. Choose an exam and sign up for a convenient time.

A member of the support team calls you before the exam. It confirms your identity with your passport or driver's license and checks through your webcam that there is no one in the room except you. Then it turns off the sound, and you begin to take the test.

During the exam, an employee continues to monitor you through a webcam. He monitors the process and gets in touch if he notices suspicious actions on your part. For example, during the test, I twisted the ring on my finger. The employee asked to show the room again and put the ring next to it.

The results are shown immediately. You need to score at least 700 out of 1000 points. Let me remind you that if you fail, you will have to retake the exam. Pay for the second attempt again. And if you succeed, you will be given a verified badge. It is virtual, you can post it on your Facebook page or LinkedIn. You can see mine for an example.

A PDF document with certification details is also generated for you. It is located in the Score Report section in your Blueprint account.

I passed with 783 points. Quite satisfied with the result

If you are advertising in social networks, I advise you to get certified. You will be able to improve your level, learn about new tools, you will have a reason to raise your check. I wish you strength, self-discipline and good luck!

How to prepare for and pass the Facebook Blueprint Certification Exam - ppc.

world

A few years ago, Facebook introduced the Blueprint international training program, which has become the standard for advertisers to master the platform's marketing tools. This is a series of free online training courses, after which you can pass a paid exam and receive a certificate.

At Artics Internet Solutions, passing the exam is a mandatory requirement for professionals who want to grow and develop in targeted advertising. And for young professionals, we have prepared a small instruction on how to prepare for certification. And now we want to share this guide with you.

How many areas are there in Blueprint

There are several certifications in the Blueprint exam, the choice of which depends on your professional activity. There are seven in total:

100-101: Facebook Digital Marketing Manager. Confirms the skills of creating and managing advertising, as well as generating reports on it on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger.
200-101: Facebook Certified Marketing Research Professional. Confirms skills in preparing marketing recommendations based on data, statistics and measurement results.
400-101: Facebook Certified Media Planner: Assesses the ability to design ad campaigns around business goals.
410-101: Facebook Certified Media Buying Professional.
500-101: Facebook Certified Ad Developer I. Assesses competencies in integrating marketing solutions such as the Facebook pixel, standard events, and custom conversions.
510-101: Facebook Certified Ad Developer II. Evaluates the experience of implementing advanced solutions, for example, SDK / in-app events, dynamic ads, offline conversions.
520-101: Facebook Certified Ad Product Developer III. Assesses technical skills for setting up and troubleshooting API integrations.

Previously, specialized certifications could only be taken after passing the 100-101 Basic Test. That is, it was necessary to pass two exams: 100-101 and any other to choose from, depending on the professional activity of the specialist. Now they are not connected, and it is not necessary to take the basic exam.

Any certificate is valid for one year.

This resource is for Exam 410-101, Display Ad Buyer. However, the process of preparing for other exams will be the same; cost, duration and questions will vary.

How the Facebook Blueprint exam is organized

Here are the main rules and conditions for the exam:

The exam can be taken in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, French, and Korean. But not in Russian.
The exam is taken online or offline. But there is no Facebook representative office in Russia, so only the remote option remains.
Price — $75.
For identification, you need a passport - Russian or foreign - or driving license.
The exam consists of 60 questions and lasts 105 minutes.
On the exam, you can score from 300 to 1000 points. To successfully pass, you need to get at least 700.
You can retake in five days. But each attempt is paid separately.

There are almost no theoretical questions on Blueprint: the test questions are in the format of practical cases. The company is described, what indicators it wants to achieve, what has already been used for this, what results these actions have led to, and it is asked what you advise to correct or apply. Therefore, in addition to terminology, it is necessary to have an advanced level of English.

During the exam itself, an examiner will observe you, it will be impossible to use the Internet, and there will not really be time for this. With any attempt to cheat, the examiner can stop the exam and the money will burn.

By the way, similar certification exams for targeted advertising specialists from VKontakte and myTarget contain almost no practical questions and take place without an examiner, so they are not so stressful for specialists.

Blueprint question example:

A jewelry advertiser wants to increase awareness of its brand among women 25-45 years old in Scotland. Since the brand has no brand awareness in this country, it would like its ads to reach at least 45% of its target audience.

How should the media buyer set up the campaign?

Create an auction campaign with the Brand Awareness objective
Create an auction campaign with the Reach objective
Create a reach and frequency campaign with the Brand Awareness objective
Create a reach and frequency campaign with the Reach objective

Sample questions from the Study Guide, a study guide that collects the main points on all topics, a glossary and a practice test of 17 questions:

1. A dating app marketed towards adults over the age of 50 has an ad that was disapproved . The ad contained the text, “Meet other seniors. Sign up today!"

Given the ad’s contents, why was this ad disapproved?

This content contained a personal attributed with the use of "other seniors"
Seniors can't be targeted on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger
Dating apps can't be advertised on Facebook, Instagram or Messenger
This content is controversial because seniors don't use apps

2. A business just hired a new media agency. The business wants to add the media agency to its Business Manager. The business has been advertising on Facebook for years.

Given the scenario, what information does the business need to provide the agency?

Banner

How to prepare for the exam

To get used to the names of tools and terminology, I recommend changing the Facebook interface language to English in advance. There are many terms, there are those that are used less frequently in the Russian-speaking marketing environment: buying type reach and frequency or breakdown effect, for example.
On the certificate site, select a course and go to the learning blocks. There are Blueprint preparation courses for each exam, partly in Russian. But if you want to be well prepared, we recommend that you learn them right away in English in order to get used to the terminology. And it is advisable to devote at least a few days to the course program, and not try to complete all the lessons in a day.
Most of the blocks are theoretical, they talk about Facebook marketing tools. Only one of the last lessons, Deliver Actionable Media Recommendations, has exam-like questions.
If there are difficulties with understanding the language, go through your profile and go through in English, and in another browser run in Russian at the same time. In general, catch the meaning, even if not all words match.
For translation, we recommend using the ReversoContext resources, which translates the meaning of expressions, not words. For specialized vocabulary, try the multitran dictionary.
After the course, try to take the preparatory test. It has 30 questions that are not limited by time. After passing, the results by sections and the correct answers with comments appear.
It makes sense to pass this test under other logins and passwords, since it is possible to get to another test and work out more questions, BUT the probability of getting to another test is small, out of 7 additional tests, only 1 has been updated.
The final preparatory stage is to go through the Professional Exam Study Guide. With it, you will repeat everything that was in the preparatory courses. A handy glossary and brief abstracts will help you go over the material.

Registration for the exam

The registration button for the exam is located on the page with training materials.

After clicking on the button, you will be taken to a special Certmetrics certification room, where you need to enter your personal data - just like in a passport or driver's license. Make sure that you entered the name correctly - then it will be possible to correct it only through technical support. The examiner will also check the name and, in case of an error, may not allow you to take the exam.

After registering in the Exam section, find the desired exam, book it and select the time. You can take the exam the very next day. The schedule usually has a lot of free time in the evening and at night due to the difference in time zones. If there is no suitable time, update the schedule a little later - a free slot may appear. After choosing the date and time, pay for the exam. The service will offer to install and test a program that will be used to take the test - this will take a few minutes.

Passing the exam

Registration for the exam opens half an hour in advance, 15 minutes are given to check documents, camera, microphone and take pictures.

The installed program blocks other programs on the computer, and with its help, the examiner monitors your actions in the process.

The program itself is simple:

in the upper part of the front camera and a button that opens a chat with the curator;
on the main part of the screen a question and answer options for questions;
at the bottom there is a calculator and a transition to the next question.

Translators, hints, references or other foreign objects must not be used. There should be only an identity card on the table - a passport or driver's license. If something alerts the examiner, he may ask to see the desktop or room. If someone accidentally enters the room during the exam, or if the examiner sees foreign objects, he can end the exam. Moreover, you will not see the examiner, but he sees and hears you, you can communicate via chat or answer by voice.

Take your time during the exam, reread the questions several times: some are designed to test your attentiveness. Approximately two minutes are allotted for each question.

Immediately after completing the 60-question test, check the answers. At the end, you will be asked to leave feedback on the course and after a short time the results will be shown. Emails will be answered within 24 hours after the exam.

Instead of a conclusion

The significance and value of an employee after receiving a certificate increases: this gives him the opportunity to participate in large projects and move up the career ladder.