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How to have verified instagram account


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!).

Bonus: 14 Time-Saving Hacks for Instagram Power Users. Get the list of secret shortcuts Hootsuite’s own social media team uses to create thumb-stopping content.

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2. Monitor for impostor accounts

If you’re struggling with persistent unauthorized, fake, or fan accounts impersonating your brand, then we have good news for you. You’re a prime candidate for verification on Instagram. After all, distinguishing real accounts from fake ones is verification’s stated purpose.

Your annual social media audit should make it clear whether impostor accounts are a problem for you. You’ll want to monitor and document these accounts using a social media monitoring tool like Zerofox’s Hootsuite integration.

3. Get more (real) followers

Look, we don’t have the numbers but it honestly feels sometimes like you need a ridiculous number of followers in order to get verified. There is absolutely no evidence that this is a real rule, but—it can’t hurt? Or maybe correlation does not imply causation after all?

Actually, what is more likely is that as people or brands get more noteworthy on and off Instagram, follower counts rise alongside.

If you want to hedge your bets and play it both ways—chicken and egg—here’s some inspiration for how to get more Instagram followers.

Pro Tip: Just don’t try to take a shortcut and buy your Instagram followers. (Plus, breaking the Community Guidelines and then asking Instagram to examine your account is a very effective way to get your account shut down.)

4. Delete any cross-platform links in your bio

In what some might call a slightly petty move (we would never dare), Instagram insists that verified accounts can’t have so-called “add me” links to other social media services in their Instagram profiles. You can include links to your website, landing pages, or other online properties, just definitely don’t link to your YouTube or Twitter account.

On the other hand, if you have a blue checkmark on your Facebook profile but not on your Instagram account, Instagram does explicitly encourage you to link to your Instagram account from your Facebook page to help prove your authenticity.

5. Be highly-searched for

Social media is all about serendipitous, organic discovery (this is what the Instagram Explore page is for, anyway—and making it big there can have a real impact on your engagement and follower count).

But when it comes to verification, Instagram wants to know if people care about you enough to tear themselves away from the seductions of the feed and spontaneously type your name into the search bar.

While Instagram doesn’t provide analytics on this data, we’d put money on the fact that Instagram’s verification team does have access, and will check up on how often users are searching for you. Which leads us to our next point…

6. Apply when your name is in the news

Google yourself. Has your brand been featured in multiple news sources? Did a recent press release or white paper get picked up? Do you have a sound bite or a profile in a major international publication? Paid or promotional content definitely does not count.

If PR hasn’t been a priority for your brand thus far, you might have a more difficult time proving how “notable” you are. Especially because there’s no place to submit your proof: Instagram does its own research, so it’s up to you to make sure your news is above the fold and impossible to ignore.

If you’ve recently experienced a windfall of attention, or you’re planning a big announcement, think about capitalizing on it and applying for that checkmark while your name is hot.

7. Work with an agency or publicist

If you have the budget and the ambition, hire a reputable digital agency that has access to Facebook’s Media Partner Support tools. Your publicist or agent will be able to submit requests to claim usernames, merge accounts, and get accounts verified through their industry-only portal.

Is verification guaranteed? Of course not. But a request from an industry professional through the Media Partner Support panel carries more weight and distinguishes you from the crowd.

8. Be honest

This tip should be a no-brainer, but because the consequences are dire we feel compelled to highlight it. In your application to be verified, you have to be truthful above all else.

Use your real name. Choose an appropriate category. Definitely don’t falsify any government documents.

If you stretch the truth anywhere in your application, Instagram says that it will not only deny your request, but it may delete your account as well.

9. Make sure your profile and bio are complete and effective

Instagram’s listed requirements for verification (a bio, a profile pic and one post? really?) are a low bar. You don’t just want to meet it. You want to hurtle over it.

Optimizing your Instagram bio will not just impress the verification team when they come to check you out, but can pay ongoing dividends in the form of new followers and conversions.

10. If you’re turned down the first time, try again

If, after all your hard work, Instagram comes back with a rejection, embrace the opportunity to zero in on your goals and redouble your efforts.

Hone your Instagram strategy, build a dedicated following, and earn buzz off the platform as well.

And then, whether you wait the 30 required days or spend a few fiscal quarters hitting your KPIs, you can apply again.

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Instagram verification FAQ

How many followers do you need to get verified on Instagram?

Technically, there is no minimum follower count for getting verified on Instagram. As long as you are able to prove that you are a “notable,” or highly searched for, person (or your account represents a widely recognized business or organization), you can get your account verified regardless of your number of followers. 

How much does it cost to get IG verified?

Instagram verification is free. Instagram will never ask for payment for the verification badge, and if someone is offering to verify your account for money, they are trying to scam you. 

How do you get a blue check on Instagram without being famous?

To get a blue check on Instagram, you have to prove that your account may be impersonated because you are a notable public figure or represent a widely recognized organization.  

Save time managing your Instagram presence by using Hootsuite to schedule and publish posts, grow your audience, and track success with easy-to-use analytics—all from the same dashboard that you run your other social media profiles on. Try it free today.

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How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2023

For many businesses, working their way toward being verified on social media is a monumental step in the life of their business.

While you can always increase your advertising budget to generate more leads, Instagram verification is one of the elusive social media status symbols you can’t buy, which as a result makes it highly coveted and immensely valuable.  

A study revealed that 73.4% of Instagram accounts that had more than one 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.

Put simply, being verified on Instagram can have a significant effect on your brand’s image in the public eye.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know on how to get verified on Instagram, including the verification process, how to request verification, and more.

Shortcuts ✂️

  • Why get verified on Instagram?
  • Is it hard to get verified on Instagram?
  • How to get verified on Instagram
  • Tips for getting verified
  • What to do if you don’t get verified
  • Don’t stress if you can’t get verified
  • Instagram verification FAQ

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What is a verified badge on Instagram?

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:

Why get verified on Instagram?

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 generally seen as more trustworthy than unverified ones and have a 30% higher engagement rate, on average.

Other reasons to get verified include:

  • It stops impersonation. The main reason the verification badge exists is to make sure accounts holders are who they say they are. The blue check on your profile shows followers and visitors that you’re the real deal, not a fake account.
  • It lends credibility. As a side effect of Instagram users knowing you’re the real business account of a brand, you become more credible and trustworthy. The blue tick is also a status symbol that shows users your account is worth following.
  • You get access to special features. For example, sharing links in Instagram Stories can improve your Instagram marketing through more engagement and conversions. Normally, you’d need at least 10,000 followers, but if you’re verified you can use this feature no matter how many followers you have.
  • Verified accounts appear higher in search. Lastly, if your account is verified and users search Instagram for content in your category, you may appear higher in search results:

    Having a verified Instagram account, 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.

    Is it hard to get verified on Instagram?

    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:

    • Authentic. As in you must be a real person, public figure, or registered business entity. You’ll need official business documents and ID to prove it.
    • Unique. You can’t have multiple accounts for the same person or business (unless they are language-specific accounts). Instagram also doesn’t verify general interest (like memes) or fan accounts.
    • Complete. At the bare minimum, your Instagram profile needs to be public, have an Instagram bio and 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.
    • Notable. This is the tougher bit that most struggle with. Being notable means your account name represents a “well-known, highly searched for” person or brand. Instagram reviews accounts that are featured in multiple news sources, but not paid or promotional content.

      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.

      How to get the verified badge on Instagram

      1. Start your request

      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.

      2. Add your business details

      From there, you’ll need to fill in details about your business such as:

      Photo courtesy of: Unsplash
      • Your full name (or trading name), which you’ll need to back up with a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, or business documents, such as business registration papers or utility bills (for physical stores).
      • Notability, which is confirmed by selecting your industry category and target audience. You’ll also have to list brand names you might also or otherwise be known as.
      • Supporting links to help confirm your notability. Here you can link to other verified social media accounts if you have them, news or press releases your brand is featured in, your website, or other (non-promotional) links you feel might be relevant.

        3. Make your submission

        Once you’ve filled in the verification application details, hit Submit and congrats: you’ve sent off your request.

        Photo courtesy of: Pexels

        Generally within about 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.

        Tips for getting verified

        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:

        • Don’t buy a badge
        • Get real followers
        • Complete your profile
        • Follow the community guidelines
        • Get publicity

        Don’t buy a badge

        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 for 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.

        Get real followers

        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.

        It's better to have 1,000 engaged fans than 10,000 followers when you want to optimize for sales.

        Gretta van Riel, in an edited excerpt from the course Grow Your Business with Instagram

        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:

        • Using the right hashtags to get your profile in front of targeted audiences
        • Publishing a mix of Instagram Stories, Reels, and feed posts
        • Running giveaways 
        • Encouraging user-generated content 
        • Curating your profile grid 
        • Creating shareable content

          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.

          Complete your profile

          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:

          1. Highlight essential information about the business (brand name, category, company overview)
          2. Offer a way for users to get in touch
          3. Showcase the brands’ personality 
          4. Establish a unique selling proposition 
          5. Encourage a response with a call to action

          A strong profile can make a good first impression on behalf of your brand and convince people to follow you.  

          Follow the community guidelines 

          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.

          Get publicity 

          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:

          • Participate in or create a local event (for charity or otherwise)
          • Make a guest appearance on a podcast or other media channel
          • Pledge to donate to a relevant cause, either a one-off or indefinitely 
          • Publish a white paper or other original data relevant to your target audience

          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.

          What to do if you don’t get verified

          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:

          Double-check the verification requirements

          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.

          Wait and apply again

          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 canceled.

          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.

          Show authenticity in other ways

          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. 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 multiformat content to grow followers.

          Don’t stress if you can’t get verified

          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 funneling traffic to your ecommerce store, setting up an Instagram shop, becoming a brand affiliate, and more.

          Illustration by Dan Page

          Instagram verification FAQ

          Can an individual person get verified on Instagram?

          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.

          How many followers do I need to get verified on Instagram?

          Instagram doesn’t give an official number needed for verification. One study found that accounts with as few 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.

          How much does it cost to get Instagram verified?

          The verification application is free through the Instagram app. There are businesses you can pay to help you through the process of getting verified, but that’s not recommended.

          How do I get verified on Instagram?

          1. Log in to the Instagram account you want to verify.
          2. Tap the hamburger icon.
          3. Tap Settings > Account > Request Verification.
          4. Enter your name and provide the required information.
          5. After you complete the form, send it and wait 30 days for a response.

          How do I request a verification badge for my Instagram profile?

          Help Center

          Account Management

          Verification Badges

          Only public figures, celebrities, and brands that meet certain requirements can request a verification badge for an Instagram profile.

          To request a confirmation badge:

          Instagram app for Android and iPhone and Instagram Lite app for Android

          Sign in to the account you are requesting the badge for.

          Click the or icon on your profile picture in the lower right corner of the screen to go to your profile.

          Click the icon in the upper right corner of the screen and select Settings.

          Click Account and then Request Verification.

          Please provide your full name and attach proof of identity required (such as a government-issued photo ID or official company documents). nine0003

          Follow the instructions on the screen and click Submit.

          Notes:

          Even if the account meets the verification requirements, the request may be denied.

          Submitting multiple confirmation badge requests will not increase your chances of a positive decision. Moreover, if you apply multiple times before we make a decision, your application will be rejected.

          Once an account has been verified, you will no longer be able to change its username. It is also impossible to transfer confirmation to another account. nine0003

          When verifying an Instagram account, the Facebook account will not be verified automatically. You can learn how to verify your Facebook account in the Help Center.

          If you receive a verification badge by providing false or misleading information during the verification step, we will remove the badge and may disable your account.

          Learn more about what happens when you apply for a verification badge.

          If Instagram validates your account, we recommend setting up additional security tools, such as two-factor authentication. Learn more about other Instagram security tools. nine0003

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          What happens when I apply for the verification badge on Instagram? nine0003

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          Privacy

          How to verify your Instagram account*

          September 7, 2018 Technologies

          The coveted blue tick is now much easier to obtain.

          For a long time, it was quite difficult to verify an Instagram* account, thereby protecting it from forgery. The service itself should have paid attention to you and put a blue checkmark next to your name. Now the company has greatly simplified this process. nine0003

          Instagram* recently announced a number of security updates for accounts. Now you can check if the name of a large account changed when it was created and if it has ads. But the main thing is that now everyone can apply for confirmation.

          This offers a number of advantages. For example, it becomes possible to embed ads in stories. In addition, the comments of verified users are displayed above the rest.

          If you have 100 followers, you are unlikely to get a blue tick. But if you are, for example, a novice entrepreneur, then you have every chance. True, for this you will have to provide a document confirming your identity. nine0003

          To verify your account, you need to go to the application settings and click "Request confirmation". The feature is not yet available to everyone, but it will reach everyone in the coming weeks.

          instagram*-press.com

          In general, the account requirements are as follows: