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How to make a fake verified account on instagram


Even blue ticks can be faked on Instagram

As a marketer and strategist, I’m constantly researching, testing, auditing, reviewing, testing. It’s what we do, and how to stay ahead in an ever-changing and competitive field.

I do it in all areas of my life – testing various strategies (read: opening lines) for my single friends on their Tinder profiles, or knowing which lane of traffic will move quicker.

I want to know how algorithms work and how collectively people work. Why when I a/b tested a client’s image, did 356 more people click the blue ad over the the green ad? Why do ‘average looking brown-haired women’ perform better on social media than men, blondes or models?

It was a miserable 14 degrees and raining weekend in Sydney. The kind where you only get out bed for a Halal snack pack… or is that just me? So instead of Netflix and comfort food, I curled up with my Mac and started to randomly research social media trends, updates, and Facestalk (it’s called research).

I Googled: “How do I verify an Instagram account?”. That little blue tick of approval is deemed to be harder to get than a Gold at the Olympics.

Sure enough, there were theories and articles galore, even a wikiHow with pictures. But nothing that stacked up as concrete information for me to get my client verified. Instagram basically chooses accounts at random that are likely to have copycat accounts (large corps and celebrities).

I then found an app that trumped all other apps for #Instafamous wannabes.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about the findings when I used an Instagram bot for 24 hours on my partner’s new business account.

I’d now found an app where you could overlay a fake verification tick onto your page and key in how many followers you wanted to portray.

I contacted a friend who recently started an Instagram account for her cat and within three minutes she sent me a screenshot which appeared to show she was verified, had 22K followers, was following 1,000 accounts and was armed with an account where she could potentially reach out to paying clients as an influencer.

Of course, there’s nothing stopping brands checking the live account. But this app is just one example amongst thousands, and they’re all out to game the system.

How can we trust a platform like Instagram when you can:

  • Buy 10,000 fake followers for AUD$10,
  • Use a free bot to follow a competitor’s list in the hope that you acquire some genuine followers back,
  • Use a free app to mass unfollow 200+ accounts at a time,
  • Program a bot to like certain hashtag, or accounts with x amount of followers,
  • Use a free app to get ‘verified’ and fake the numbers?

Instagram is starting to make changes, including tightening its API for data mining (thanks Cambridge Analytica scandal) and reporting insights through third party sites, including moves to eliminate pods that take advantage of the engagement algorithm, blocking spam hashtags e.g. #like4like, etc.

But while the recent Shopping for Instagram has helped businesses and marketers make something meaningful of the platform and finally generate some ROI, the army of bots and fake influencer accounts still roam free.

It seems near impossible for the ever-growing social media platform to gain street cred amongst those in the industry while the wool is pulled over small businesses’ and (some) inexperienced marketer’s eyes.

Elysia Raphael is director of marketing and ideas at NYX Social. This post first appeared on the NYX Social blog.

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 and get a tick on Instagram

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

  • What does the blue tick on Instagram mean?
    • nine0005 What are the benefits of having a check mark on Instagram?
  • Who Can Get a Tick on Instagram
  • Why they give a tick on Instagram: account requirements
  • Is it possible to buy a blue tick on Instagram
  • How to get a blue tick on Instagram
  • How to increase your chances of getting ticked on Instagram nine0006

What does the blue tick mean on Instagram

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

An example of a verified account

What are the benefits of having a check mark on Instagram

It is believed that verification on Instagram increases reach and reduces the likelihood of a ban. There is no evidence for this, however, a tick in the profile still provides some advantages. nine0003

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

A verified account is immediately highlighted.

Another plus is that the checkmark reduces reputational risks. As your fame grows, you may encounter a common problem: scammers create fake pages and deceive gullible people on your behalf. For example, they offer to buy merch or an information product, invest in a “reliable project”, and the like. nine0003

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

Try SMS mailings for business

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

Who can get a tick on Instagram

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

Brands that have gained some recognition and fame, at least locally, can also get a tick on Instagram. nine0003

Why they give a tick on Instagram: account requirements

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

  • authenticity - belongs to a real person or an officially registered company;
  • uniqueness - this allows the presence of accounts of the same brand in different languages;
  • completeness - all information in the bio is indicated, there is an avatar and at least one publication;
  • publicity - a community has been formed around an individual or brand, as evidenced by media mentions. nine0006

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

Is it possible to buy a blue tick on Instagram

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

However, there are people who offer to buy a tick, and the demand for this service is quite high. It is safer to cooperate with agencies that work under a contract with a guarantee against deletion and take payment only after verification. However, you need to understand that you agree at your own peril and risk and may lose your profile if something goes wrong. In addition, the cost of the service reaches several thousand dollars, so weigh the pros and cons. nine0003

How to get a blue checkmark on Instagram

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

Select the desired item in the settings

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

  • passport;
  • state-issued identity card;
  • driver's license;
  • tax documents; nine0006
  • utility bill;
  • founding documents of the company.

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

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

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

Second step: confirm that the person or brand you represent is of public interest. Choose a category that characterizes the direction of your profile: media, sports, music, digital content creator, and so on. Indicate the country or region in which you are most popular. nine0003 How to get a tick on Instagram: provide as much information as possible

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

Add links to publications in the media, accounts in other social networks and other sources that prove that you are interesting to people and have a certain media weight. All information is carefully analyzed, so custom articles and other paid content can harm your reputation. nine0003

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

How to increase your chances of getting a check mark on Instagram

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

Grow your audience on Instagram

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

Draw is one of the effective ways to promote

Promote on other platforms

Develop accounts on YouTube, Telegram, TikTok and other social networks. Gain followers so that Instagram staff sees interest in you across platforms. It’s great if you can confirm profiles on other sites - this contributes to a positive decision on verification on Instagram. nine0003

Increase media exposure

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

We advise you to read:

  • “What is a personal brand, how to create and promote it”;
  • "Brand promotion on the Internet - how to make the company name recognizable."
    • nine0019

    Regularly create and publish unique content

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

    Recommended reading:

    • “How to create a content plan for Instagram. Rules, tips, examples”;
    • “Ideas for posts. 50 ideas for any public and business”; nine0006
    • "Educational content: how to create and use it in mailing lists";
    • “How to write an engaging Instagram post”;
    • "Instagram ideas to spice up your business account";
    • "How to create a high-quality visual on Instagram."

    Do not invite your audience to other social networks

    All social networks compete with each other, so you should not invite subscribers to YouTube or TikTok in posts, headers and pinned stories - at least until you get a tick. Show that you are primarily interested in growing your Instagram account. Alternatively, you can place a multilink and specify all links there. nine0003

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

    Creating a multilink in the SendPulse constructor

    A couple more tips

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

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

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

    Conclusion

    Find out what the Instagram checkmark means, who can get it and how to do it.

    Use the SendPulse platform for marketing and online sales. Our tools include a website and multilink builder, chat bots for Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, email, SMS, Viber mailing services, a free CRM system, browser notifications, and a universal platform for creating courses.

    How to get verified on Instagram in 2022

    We bet you have seen a blue check next to the name on the accounts of celebrities, popular bloggers and brands? We understand why it is needed, what benefits it gives and how to get it. nine0003

    What is verification

    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:

    Why verification is needed

    1. Identity or project verification

    Accounts of actors, musical groups, athletes, brands, official media, websites, government agencies and even city pages can receive verification. nine0003

    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 protection of the account from hacking, or other privileges. nine0195

    How to get verification: instructions

    First of all, the page should not violate the rules of using Instagram and comply with the user agreement. The chances of getting verified are higher if your account:

    - 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.

    Algorithm for getting a tick on Instagram for a company:

    1. Open "Settings", then "Account" and select "Request confirmation". nine0006
    1. Confirm the existence of the company and the right to own the account. 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.
    1. Send an application for consideration and wait for a response from Facebook.

    Not all accounts can become "Favorites". Instagram considers each application separately and decides whether to reward the profile with a blue tick or not. nine0003

    Tips for getting a verification checkmark

    A few important points in the end or how to manage Instagram so that verification is not denied:

    1. Link pages on other social networks to Instagram.

    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. nine0003

    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. nine0003

    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.

    Instagram verification FAQ

    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. nine0003

    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.

    Learn more