There is one elusive social media status symbol you can’t buy, which therefore makes it highly coveted and immensely valuable: the Instagram verified badge.
A February 2020 study revealed that 73.4% of Instagram accounts that had over 1 million followers had a verified badge. Out of the next group down (100,000 to one million followers), 22.4% were verified accounts. When studying accounts with between 1,000 and 5,000 followers, only 0.87% were verified.
An Instagram verified badge is a blue checkmark next your profile name. The check proves the account is owned by a public figure like a celebrity or brand.
As a business on Instagram, one question you may ask yourself is, “How do I get my account verified?” Most social media services have some kind of “verification” process for getting the almighty blue checkmark on your profile:
But why should you get verified? And just how hard is it? This guide will answer those questions and help you understand Instagram’s verification process so you can get your account verified too.
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Data suggests that the majority of bigger Instagram accounts are verified. As you grow your Instagram profile, you’ll want to get verified to stand out from the competition. Verified accounts are more trustworthy than unverified ones and have a 30% higher engagement rate on average.
Other reasons to get verified include:
The blue check on your profile shows followers and visitors that you’re the real deal, not a fake account.This means you’re more likely to attract new followers directly from search results (in the Instagram app) and increase brand awareness.
With all of those great benefits, you’re probably thinking that getting verified is going to be pretty difficult. But is it? Let’s take a look.
The good news is that applying to be verified on Instagram is super easy (as you’ll see in the tutorial below). The not so great news is that actually getting approved can be difficult.
It’s no secret how Instagram verifies accounts. It's guidelines state the eligibility requirements your account must meet:
At the bare minimum, your Instagram profile needs to be public, have an Instagram bio, a profile picture, and be active when you apply. “Be active” isn’t defined, but you can take it to mean you post, share, or comment on content regularly.Those are on top of the basic rules of following community guidelines and Instagram’s terms of use. As bonus good news, these criteria also mean you don’t have to have a certain number of followers to get verified—you could request verification as soon as you sign up and complete your profile.
Open the Instagram app and head to your profile.
Once you’re on your profile page, tap on the hamburger icon (three lines) in the top-right corner and select Settings. On your settings page, toward the bottom, you’ll see the option to Request Verification. Tap it and you're ready for step 2.
From there, you’ll need to fill in details about your business such as:
Photo courtesy of: Unsplash
Once you’ve filled in the verification application details, hit Submit and congrats: you’ve sent off your request.
Photo courtesy of: PexelsWithin 30 days, Instagram will notify you in your Activity feed whether your application was successful or not. If so, you’ll get the Instagram verification badge right away.
Before you go ahead and submit your application for the coveted blue badge, keep in mind the following tips that will help improve your chances of getting a verified Instagram account:
Under no circumstances does Instagram let users buy, sell, or otherwise transfer their verified badge. If you see an account that advertises the ability to get you one either for free or a “small fee,” like the one below, don’t fall for the scam.
Use Instagram responsibly. Don’t try shady tactics like buying badges, followers, likes, or comments. Otherwise, you could find your account banned.
Don’t buy Instagram followers. Focus on the genuine, organic growth of your account. It’s easy to tell when someone buys followers because their account will have lots of followers but low engagement. These “followers” are often bots or inactive accounts, so they don’t interact with your brand. The lack of engagement means your posts won’t show up on the explore pages or in your audiences feeds.
Although your follower count doesn’t matter when it comes to verification, a highly engaged following can help. Some ways to get more Instagram followers include:
Instagram followers are more than just a number, they are your community.
Even if you don’t get verified, real followers will help increase traffic to your site, make more sales, and build influence in your space.
All verified accounts have one thing in common: complete profiles. Each of them has a concise and punchy Instagram bio, a strong profile photo, an external link (to either their website or a Linktree, linking to multiple sites), and well-designed Story Highlights.
Sure, the Instagram profile has the same structure for every account. But each Instagram bio—the small summary underneath the username—is unique. Users look at your bio when deciding whether or not to follow you on Instagram, so you have to make it count.
The bios of verified accounts accomplish a number of things:
A strong profile can make a good first impression on behalf of your brand and convince people to follow you.
As long as your brand is consistent, only posting your own content—content that is safe for public viewing—you’re most likely already following the community guidelines and ticking this box for verification.
Though to be more specific, Instagram has given a short version of what the community guidelines cover:
We want Instagram to continue to be an authentic and safe place for inspiration and expression. Help us foster this community. Post only your own photos and videos, and always follow the law. Respect everyone on Instagram; don’t spam people or post nudity.
No matter if you’re a global brand or the average Joe, Instagram can (and does) punish accounts that don’t follow these basic guidelines.
Team up with a PR agent or agency, or even a journalist, who can help you get your name out there. Some agencies also have access to Facebook’s Media Partner Support tools, where they can submit requests and get accounts verified through the portal.
To get publicity, you’ll need to do things considered newsworthy. What’s deemed newsworthy depends on your niche, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
Getting involved in activities outside of your brand is how you build awareness and get into media outlets. When the Instagram verification team checks to see if you are notable, they’ll find you in these news channels.
Even if you follow all of the tips above, there’s still a chance Instagram won’t approve your application. So what happens then? Try a few of the following actions:
As simple as it sounds, it’s worth double-checking the four main requirements we saw earlier: authentic, unique, complete, and notable.
Make sure you have the most appropriate business document to prove authenticity. Be sure to remove/delete any old accounts you might have set up. Compare your level of profile completeness to those who are already verified.
Lastly, do a Google search on your brand. If you don’t see any mentions of it outside of your own website, that could be the issue.
If your verification request gets rejected by Instagram, all is not lost. You can apply again after 30 days. Be patient though—repeated applications within 30 days will mean the request will be cancelled.
Give yourself that month to figure out ways of improving your chances using the tips above rather than hope you’ll get approved in the following 30 days without making any changes.
If you still can’t get approved for a blue check, there are other ways to show your brand’s authenticity without it.
Instagram recommends linking your account to your official website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, or Twitter account to help show you’re the real owner of your brand.
Another way to show your authenticity is by creating video content of you or your team behind the scenes.
Showing how your business looks day-to-day is a great way to gain trust, but also follows the recommendations of multi-format content to grow followers.
Getting the verification badge on Instagram (or any social media for that matter) is a big milestone for your business. It proves your account is worth watching and engaging with. However, all the benefits come with a challenge—it can be hard to get approved.
Getting the basics right matters, and so does building your brand outside of your immediate social bubble. Following the tips in this guide will help you toward fulfilling those requirements.
That said, verified or not, making money on Instagram is still possible by funnelling traffic to your ecommerce store, setting up an Instagram shop, becoming a brand affiliate, and more.
Illustration by Dan Page
An individual person or small business can get verified on Instagram. The profile must represent a real person or business, and it must be the only legitimate Instagram account representing you or your business.
Instagram doesn’t give an official number needed for verification. One study found that accounts with as low as 1,000 followers had verification badges. It also found that the more followers an account has, the more likely they are to have a verification badge.
The verification application is free through the Instagram app. There are businesses you can pay to get you verified, but that’s not recommended.
For brands and social media creators on Instagram, getting verified is the greatest form of validation. Securing that “blue tick” not only validates your authenticity, it gives you more control over your online presence by ensuring your profile is the only one representing your brand.
Now, getting Instagram verified is not easy, and it’s not something that everyone is able to do. But if you want to earn this recognition, this article will guide you on how to successfully apply for and receive the coveted verification badge on Instagram.
Let’s get started.
In Instagram’s words, getting verified means that the platform has confirmed your profile as “the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity or global brand it represents.
”
So, if you come across an Instagram account that has a blue tick in their bio, it means you’re looking at the official account of that brand or personality, as opposed to a fake, unofficial or fan account.
Here’s an example of Netflix’s Instagram profile showcasing the blue verified badge:
Instagram’s verification badges help brands and creators stand out, look credible and avoid getting impersonated. At the same time, they help Instagram users find the right profile when searching for their favorite brand or personality.
To qualify for Instagram verification, however, you need to meet certain criteria.
Anyone can request verification on Instagram, but you need to meet certain criteria to get approved for the blue tick.
Although the exact process and requirements for getting a verification badge on Instagram are unclear, the platform offers some guidelines to help you find out if you’re eligible.
First, make sure you’re adhering to Instagram’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Use. Other than that, your account also needs to be:
Paid or sponsored media sources do not count.Keep in mind that there’s no exact number of followers you need to have to qualify for a verification badge. Whether you have 100,000+ followers or less than 10,000 followers, you can still apply if you meet the criteria noted above.
Also, note that even if the Facebook Page that’s linked to your Instagram account is already verified, you will still need to apply for a verification badge on Instagram.
As Instagram states, just because your account may be eligible for verification doesn’t necessarily mean it will be designated as such. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed timeline for when you’ll be notified whether or not you’ve been verified.
But if denied, you’ll have to wait 30 days before attempting to request verification again.
If you’re ready to apply for verification on Instagram, we’ve got some tips you can implement to increase your chances of scoring the blue badge.
If it doesn’t work out, or if you decide not to go for the verification process, you can still find success on Instagram in general by keeping these best practices in mind.
One of the ways Instagram verifies your identity is by looking at your profile.
Make sure your profile is 100% complete by adding a well-written bio and a profile photo that represents your business, brand or self. For example, you can add your company’s logo to the profile photo, and your brand’s tagline and website in the bio.
Ensuring your profile is complete and authentic can also help you build credibility to your audience, which is a great way to get more followers, engagement and media attention.
Establishing a strong following on other platforms can help make your Instagram account appear especially genuine.
For instance, there are strong links between Twitter and press announcements. Use that to your advantage! When your name appears in the news or media, use that exposure to build your social profiles and following.
How do you get more followers on Instagram and other platforms? Try these tips:
While claiming that your identity is at risk might feel a bit like crying wolf–this tip actually comes straight from Instagram:
“Accounts representing well-known figures and brands are verified because they have a high likelihood of being impersonated.”
Your verified badge sets you apart as the one-and-only you. It builds trust in your followers by letting them know that they’re not following a random impersonator. People want to know that they’re following the real deal.
Letting Instagram know that you’re at risk of being impersonated may help push them to act.
This may seem obvious but you’ll likely never be Instagram verified if you don’t actively use the platform. When admins come to see if you’re worth Instagram verification they’ll be looking for regular activity. If you’re not using the platform, there’s no benefit in initiating the verification process.
It goes the other way, too. What’s the point of verification if you’re not active on Instagram? To improve your chances of getting that blue Instagram verified badge:
Sprout’s Instagram Audience Engagement Report provides detailed insights into trends, hashtag usage, likes and other engagement metrics.
This is critical for any brand trying to make analysis easier across accounts or brands.
Want Instagram to give you that seal of approval? Show them you’re worth it.
Google yourself to see what comes up. Nothing? Fix that, because if you don’t have a widely recognized brand, there’s nothing to verify.
Remember, it’s not an algorithm deciding who should get a blue button on their Instagram account. Real people review every request manually and they likely head to search engines like Google to see what comes up for outside credibility.
Ultimately, figuring out how to get verified on Instagram involves putting in the work before you make a request.
It’s tough, but that’s why verification badges are so highly sought-after.
The only way to get verified on Instagram is to apply through the app or via Facebook’s media partners. Don’t try to take any shortcuts, like buying your way in.
Trying to purchase a verification badge is not only ineffective and a waste of your money, but you can get penalized for violating Instagram’s community guidelines.
For instance, providing any false or misleading information during the process can get your account removed from the platform altogether.
Instead, try to get more real Instagram followers by creating engaging and useful content. While there’s no proven correlation between a high number of followers and getting verified on Instagram, it doesn’t hurt to try.
Plus, the more followers you have, the more likely you are to become notable and talked about on authentic news or media sources.
According to Instagram, verified accounts are not allowed to encourage users to add or follow other social media profiles in their bio, such as Facebook or YouTube.
However, you can still add links to your website, landing page and other web pages in your bio.
Think of the Instagram link in bio as another strategy avenue to drive traffic to multiple campaigns, profiles or sites.
Avoid adding cross-platform links that promote your other social profiles to increase your chances of getting verified on Instagram.
Alternatively, be sure to add links to your Instagram profile on your business’ website, in marketing emails or on your other social media profiles. While it may seem hypocritical to avoid cross-platform linking on Instagram, using your other social profiles to link to you Instagram shows validity in your profile ownership.
One of the key requirements for getting verified on Instagram is to be well-known and highly-searched for. This means you need to be more active on the PR front and try to get your name out there organically.
For example, you might want to publish press releases for upcoming company announcements or product launches. Instagram does its own research, so applying when your name has recently been in the news can fire up your chances of getting verified.
Another thing you can do to get verified faster is to optimize your posts with branded hashtags.
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This can help you appear in organic searches and on Instagram’s Explore page. The more searchable you are, the more likely you are to get verified.
Creating and maintaining an account that is unique and authentic is extremely important for getting verified on Instagram.
That’s why we recommend personalizing your posts to help you differentiate your account from impersonators.
For example, you could adopt a specific brand voice, visual style, feed aesthetic, content theme or hashtag strategy that’s unique to your account and difficult (or impossible) to replicate.
Other ways you can personalize your posts? Share behind-the-scenes content to give your audience an inside look at your brand! Who else would have this type of unique content besides you?
Alternatively, encourage followers to tag you in posts to increase brand awareness and engagement through user-generated content (UGC) or branded hashtags.
If you’d rather hire someone to help you with the process, look into a professional PR or digital agency that has access to Facebook’s Media Partner Support tools.
They will be able to submit requests for verifying your account, claiming usernames and merging accounts on your behalf through the industry-only portal they’re able to access.
Keep in mind that the method above is a legitimate source of assistance on the process, unlike “buy” or bot tools that provide you with artificial likes, engagement or verification in exchange for money. So while there’s no guarantee that a digital agency will be successful in your IG verification, it can increase your changes.
Even if you do get verified on Instagram, know that you can lose that blue tick. This is usually the case if you fail to follow Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines, or if Instagram finds that you provided misleading or false information ini your verification application.
To keep your verified status, make sure you play by the rules, stay active on the platform, publish unique and engaging content and keep your account public at all times.
If you fail to get verified for any reason, you can re-apply for verification after 30 days.
If you’re still unable to get verified or aren’t eligible for applying, continue to use these tips outlined above to guide you to demonstrate your authenticity and build credibility in front of your audience.
Remember, getting verified is just the tip of the iceberg. Building an audience, establishing your credibility and demonstrating authenticity takes time.
It’s a long-term strategy to regularly engage with your followers and produce unique and helpful content. And by doing so you’ll hopefully earn and keep your verified status on not just Instagram, but also any other social media profiles.
There’s a lot of planning and effort involved in Instagram verification, so make sure you have a good reason before you get started. Fortunately, there are plenty of benefits to being verified, from better brand credibility to a stronger social search presence.
IG verification differentiates you from the crowd and makes it easier for you to reach the people that matter most to you. Used correctly, it makes you more trustworthy on social media and boosts your conversion rates. All you need to do is show that you’re worthy.
Still looking for ways to boost your Instagram strategy? These tips on what to post on Instagram can help guide you.
We bet you have seen a blue tick next to the name on the accounts of celebrities, popular bloggers and brands more than once? We understand why it is needed, what benefits it gives and how to get it.
Blue check marks on Instagram are official verified accounts. It confirms that this page is not fake, but really belongs to the individual or brand. It looks like this:
1. Identity or project verification
Accounts of actors, bands, athletes, brands, media, websites, government agencies, and even official pages of cities can receive verification.
2. Increasing the credibility of the page
And preventing fake twin accounts that scammers can use.
3. Monetization
Verified accounts that host ads can charge higher prices for ads. But this is more about a personal brand than business accounts of companies.
Remember that the blue checkmark does not mean increased priority for displaying posts in the user's feed, access to technical support, additional account protection from hacking, or other privileges. |
First of all, the page should not violate the rules of using Instagram and comply with the user agreement. The chances of getting verified increase if your account is:
- Authentic
Represents a real person, company or organization.
- Unique
The only exception applies to accounts of the same brand in different languages.
- Full
With all the necessary information in the profile, as well as previously posted publications.
- Noticeable
Users should be interested in your profile, and your company should also be mentioned in several different news sources besides Instagram itself.
To do this, indicate the real name and surname of the owner, attach an identity card, upload documents on registration of a legal entity or other materials that can confirm the authenticity of the company. Not all accounts can become "Favorites". Instagram considers each application separately and decides whether to reward the profile with a blue tick or not.
A few important points in the end or how to manage Instagram so as not to be denied verification:
1. Link pages to Instagram in other social networks.
This will help confirm the authenticity of the account and the active presence of the brand on the Internet.
2. Do not use cheat services.
During verification, the account is carefully checked. If he was previously convicted of unfair promotion, then the blue checkmark does not shine for you.
3. Post a variety of content regularly.
The more and more actively your account develops, the more favorable Instagram will be. A profile with multiple photos will definitely be denied verification.
4. Clean up spam.
Even if you promoted your account according to all the rules, sometimes you need to clean it from spam comments and dubious followers. When considering an application for verification, Instagram looks not only at the quality of the content, but also at the subscribers.
5. Grow an active audience.
The more your account will be mentioned in posts, stories, write adequate comments or drive in the search, the more likely that Instagram will approve verification.
Submitting a request for verification of your Instagram account is easy. Especially for large companies. All the main work is for the brand before the application is submitted.
This is a confirmation of the authenticity of the account.
The verification badge looks like a white check mark on a blue round background on the profile next to the username. It is also visible in all posts and is displayed next to the nickname in the search.
Everyone. Both companies and famous personalities.
It will protect against the creation of fake accounts, give visibility and significantly increase the trust of users. Verified accounts can post external links in Stories even if they have less than 10,000 followers.
Send a formal request to Facebook and wait for a decision.
The account must represent a real company or person. It should be an active Instagram account, visible in the media space, with high activity and regular posting. Check out our tips for getting verified.
There is no official minimum number of subscribers. However, the more active your account and coverage, the higher the probability of getting a verification badge.
Directly on Instagram in the "Settings" section. Detailed guide in this article.
Yes. Always and for everyone.
Facebook usually considers the application for several days.
Don't get discouraged and try to apply again. This is possible after 30 days after the refusal.
Yes, if you violate the terms of use or misuse your account.
Only advice. The final decision on awarding the verification checkmark remains with Instagram.
There's one elusive social media status symbol that you can't buy that makes it highly desirable and extremely valuable: the blue checkmark icon to verify your identity on Instagram.
A February 2020 study found that 73.4% of Instagram accounts with over 1 million followers are verified. Of the next group (from 100,000 to a million followers), 22.4% were verified accounts. When examining accounts with 1,000 to 5,000 followers, only 0.87% is confirmed.
You can ask yourself one question: " How do I verify my account? ".
Most social media services have some sort of "verification" process for getting the almighty blue tick on your profile. But why do you need to be verified? And how hard is it? This guide will answer these questions and help you understand the Instagram verification process so that you can also verify your account.
Why get verified on Instagram?
The data suggests that most of the large Instagram accounts are verified. As your Instagram profile grows, you'll want to get verified to stand out from the competition. Verified accounts are more trustworthy than unverified ones and have a 30% higher engagement rate on average.
The main reason the verification badge exists is to make sure account holders are who they say they are. The blue checkmark on your profile shows followers and visitors that you are a real account and not a fake account. This inspires confidence. The blue checkmark is also a status symbol that shows users that your account deserves attention.
You have access to special functions. One of the most desired features for brands and influencers is the Swipe Up feature. Link exchange in Instagram Stories can improve your Instagram marketing through more engagement and conversions. Usually you need at least 10,000 subscribers, but if you pass the verification, you can use this feature no matter how many subscribers you have.
Verified accounts are higher in the search. This means you are more likely to attract new followers directly from search results (in the Instagram app) and increase brand awareness.
With all these great benefits, you're probably thinking it's going to be pretty hard to pass the test. But is it?
Is it hard to get verified on Instagram?
The good news is that applying for Instagram verification is very easy (as you will see in the guide below). The not-so-good news is that it can actually be difficult to get approved.
It's no secret how Instagram checks accounts.
Its recommendations outline the requirements that your account must meet.
Authentic. Because you must be a real person, public figure or registered legal entity. You will need official business documents and ID to prove it.
Unique. You cannot have multiple accounts for the same person or company (unless they are tied to a specific language). Instagram also doesn't check memes or fan accounts.
Complete. At a minimum, your Instagram profile must be public, have a bio, profile picture, and be active when applying.
Noticeable. This is the most difficult moment that most people face. Being visible means that your account name represents a "famous, in-demand" person or brand. Instagram checks accounts that feature multiple news sources but don't contain paid or sponsored content.
How to get verified status on Instagram
1.
Start your request
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Once you're on your profile page, click on the "hamburger" icon (three lines) in the top right corner and select "Settings". On the settings page at the bottom you will see the option "Request Verification". Touch it and you are ready for step 2.
2. Add your company information
From there, you will need to fill in information about your business, such as: Your full name (or trade name), which you will need to support with photo ID, such as a driver's license, or business documents, such as registration papers or utility bills (for physical stores).
Prominence, which is confirmed by the choice of your industry category and target audience. You will also need to list trademarks by which you may also be known.
Supporting links that will help prove your notoriety. Here you can provide links to other verified social media accounts if you have any, news or press releases that feature your brand, your website, or other (non-sponsored) links that you think might be up to date.
3. Submit your application
Once you have filled in the confirmation application details, click "Submit", and congratulations: you have submitted your application.
Within 30 days, Instagram will notify you in the activity feed whether your application was successful or not. If so, you'll get an Instagram confirmation badge right away.
Verification Tips
Before you apply for the coveted blue badge, keep the following tips in mind to increase your chances of getting a verified Instagram account:
under what circumstances Instagram does not allow users to buy, sell, or otherwise transfer a verified badge. If you see an account that advertises the ability to get it for free or for a "small fee", don't be "followed" by this scam.
Use Instagram responsibly. Don't try questionable tactics like buying badges, followers, likes, or comments. Otherwise, your account may be blocked.
Get real followers
Don't buy Instagram followers.
Focus on genuine, organic growth for your account. It's easy to buy followers, but you'll have low engagement. These "followers" are often bots or inactive accounts so they don't interact with your brand. Not participating means that your posts will not appear on the research pages or in your audience's feeds.
Here are some ways to get more followers on Instagram:
Instagram followers are more than just a number, they are your community. Even if you don't pass the verification, real followers will help increase your website traffic, increase your sales, and increase your influence in your industry.
Complete your profile
All verified accounts have one thing in common: completed profiles.
A concise and clear Instagram biography, a vibrant profile photo, an external link (either to a website or a link tree linking to multiple sites), and well-crafted story highlights.
What to do if you are not verified
Even if you follow all the tips above, there is still a chance that Instagram will not approve your application. So what happens then? Try the following steps:
Double check verification requirements
As simple as it sounds, it's worth double-checking the four basic requirements we saw earlier: authenticity, uniqueness, completeness, and visibility.
Make sure you have the most appropriate business document for authentication. Be sure to delete any old accounts you may have created. Compare your profile completion rate with those who have already passed the test.
Wait and apply again
If your verification request is denied by Instagram, all is not lost.
You can reapply after 30 days. However, be patient - repeated applications within 30 days will mean that the request will be cancelled.
Give yourself this month to figure out how to improve your chances using the tips above instead of hoping you get approved within the next 30 days without any changes.
Other Ways to Show Authenticity
If you still can't get approved for the blue check, there are other ways to show your brand's authenticity without it.
Instagram recommends that you link your account to an official website, Facebook page, YouTube channel or Twitter account to show that you are the true owner of your brand. Another way to show your authenticity is to create video content about you or your team.
Showcasing what your business looks like day in and day out is a great way to build trust and follow multi-format content recommendations to grow your following.
Don't be discouraged if you can't pass verification
Earning the verification badge on Instagram (or any other social network, for that matter) is an important milestone for your business.
