I was wondering how to get verified on Instagram? Or, for that matter, whether it’s worth making an effort to get that coveted blue tick? If so, you’re in good company – blue badge status is a hot talking point among Instagram publishers.
Verification on Instagram means different things to different people. Some look to attain the blue checkmark to boost their image. For others, the verification badge is more about security. Either way, earning the blue verification marked on Instagram brings several important benefits:
- Exclusivity – only a few select social media accounts achieve verified status and are therefore part of an exclusive collective.
- Identity Protection – verification for a business account or personal account means you cannot be copied or imitated by anyone else.
- Trust – publishers with verified status are instinctively trusted over and above those who lack verification.
- Beta Access – each time Instagram introduces new features and tools, early access is provided exclusively to verified users.
These are just a few of the ways you stand to benefit by achieving verified status. Irrespective of your goals on Instagram, it all adds up to the kind of authority and credibility boost that could make a real difference.
What Does Verification Mean on Instagram?
Verification on Instagram essentially means the same as it does on any other social network. Essentially, the coveted blue tick is a status symbol and a seal of approval. It indicates that the individual or business accounts in question has fulfilled the strict verification criteria set by Instagram.
Verification shows that a publisher is legit and is who they claim to be. On platforms like Instagram, millions of people set up tribute accounts or ‘unofficial’ accounts based on a celebrity, a famous face, a business, a sports team, etc.
The verification tick is an indication of the real deal – i.e., the account belongs to the actual person or entity it concerns. The fact that it is comparatively difficult to achieve verification makes it quite the achievement in its own right.
Hence, it is interpreted as a sign of credibility, trust, authority, and value. By achieving verified status, everything you publish instantly becomes more appealing and engaging. It also becomes far easier to grow your audience and generate interest in your profile.
Who Can Get Instagram Verification?
Contrary to popular belief, verification is by no means limited to celebrities. Nor do you have to run a well-known business or be a household name in any way. The truth is, anybody can request verification on Instagram at any time. But as touched upon above, Instagram’s verification team is notoriously selective with who makes the grade.
Even if you have achieved verified status across the rest of your social accounts, this doesn’t guarantee you’ll be verified on Instagram. It can help your cause if you’re verified elsewhere, but you can expect your case to be scrutinized to the nth degree. Consequently, you need to know what Instagram is looking for by way of essential criteria.
Must-Have Criteria to Fulfil
Requests for verification are processed and considered on a case-by-case basis. However, Instagram outlines five specific criteria, which must be fulfilled for a verification request to be considered:
Authentic
Your account needs to represent you or your business. You cannot obtain verification for a fan page or an account you run on behalf of someone else.
Complete
This refers to the criticality of a complete bio, an appropriate profile picture, and evidence of posting activity.
Notable
Open to interpretation, notable is defined by Instagram as someone who is “well-known” and “Highly Searched For.”
Unique
It is only possible to verify one account per person or business unless running separate pages/profiles for different languages.
Public
Instagram will not grant verification to private accounts – your account must therefore be set to public. Each of the above is basically an essential starting point for the verification process. These are the binary deal-breakers that must be fulfilled in order for your application to be given fair consideration.
How to Apply for Verification on Instagram?
Qualifying for verification isn’t easy, but the application process is a walk in the park. Anyone can apply for verification at any time, using the standard application system via the Instagram app. Here’s how to request verification in a few simple steps:
Step 1: Go to your “Profile” and click on the “Hamburger Icon.”
Step 2: Click “Settings”
Step 3: Tap “Account”
Step 4: Click “Request Verification”
Step 5: Complete the application form by entering the following information:
- Your full name
- Your “known as” name
- industry or category
- Your approved photo ID (or business verification document)
Step 6: You can then hit the “Send Button” and await the outcome.
The verification process can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks, after which you will get a simple yes or no answer. Instagram never provides an explanation or feedback regarding any of its verification decisions.
How to Increase the Odds of Getting Verified on Instagram?
At this point, it is worth highlighting how buying a verification badge is impossible. If you come across anyone claiming to sell Instagram verification online, you’re looking at a scam. Instagram verification is non-transferable, and nor can you pay for the blue tick period.
Hence, the only way to boost your chances of getting verified is to follow Instagram’s rules to the letter. Specifically, each of the following could help steer your verification request in the right direction:
1. Grow Your Followers
Firstly, you need to grow your followers on Instagram as quickly as possible. The number of followers you have will be viewed as an important indicator of your popularity, your credibility, and your value. The more followers you have, the more likely you are to be accepted.
2. Be a Highly Searched Person
Being a highly searched person or business means reaching a level where people are actively searching for you on a regular basis. Understandably, this isn’t easy to achieve unless you already have an established presence on Instagram. Not to mention a large and engaged audience of followers.
3. Try to Get Yourself Featured in the News
If anything about you or your business has been published by any news sources, it’s guaranteed to work in your favor. Ideally, you should aim to submit your application to correspond with your name being featured in the News at the same time. Basically, your job is to make Instagram think you’re a big deal worthy of verification.
4. Complete Your Bio Section
As stated in the platform’s published guidelines, your Instagram bio needs to be complete and up to scratch. A relevant profile picture is essential, as is a polished and professional bio that sends the right message. Substandard Instagram profiles that lack appeal will always lead to rejection.
5. Cross-Promote Your Social Accounts
This is essential for bringing as much interest as possible to your Instagram profile, generating engagement, and getting new followers on board. Use all social channels at your disposal to promote your Instagram profile and the content you publish. Remember – the Instagram team will almost certainly check out your other profiles when considering your application.
6. Personalize Your Posts
Adding personality to your posts is also essential, ensuring everything you publish has clearly defined value. You need to ensure that your posts are true reflections of your personality and your brand, as opposed to generic images anyone could have published. Everything you post should be instantly recognizable as your content and nobody else’s.
7. Make Your Posts at the Best Times
Posting at the best times means posting when your target audience is at its most active. Something that varies significantly from one region, demographic, and platform to the next.
Depending on who you are and who you are targeting, your audience could be at its most active early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or throughout the weekend. All of which is up to you to figure out.
8. Be Real
Under no circumstances is it advisable to attempt to trick Instagram into verifying your account. The information you submit must be complete, accurate, and up to date. Just as the forms of ID submitted as part of the verification process must be valid and authentic. Break the rules, and you could be permanently banned by Instagram.
9. Avoid Bad Social Practices
The term bad social practices is vague for a good reason. That being, it relates to anything lazy, underhanded, or prohibited. Examples of which include leaving spam comments, buying fake followers, launching negative PR campaigns against others, or publishing images that break the platform’s community guidelines.
Staying Verified On Instagram
Achieving verification is no mean feat. Hence, the last thing you want is to be stripped of your blue badge at a later date. Ensuring you hang onto your verified status means following a few simple but essential rules:
1. Always Keep Your Account Public
Under no circumstances should you switch your account to private at any time. Doing so will instantly render your profile ineligible for verification, and your blue badge will be lost.
2. Follow the Rules and Guidelines
Any breach of Instagram’s Terms of Use or Community Guidelines will also see you stripped of your verified status. Worse still, you could be suspended temporarily or banned from the platform indefinitely.
3. Stay Active and Engaged
Instagram does not take kindly to those who achieve verified status and subsequently adopt a passive approach. They’ll constantly be monitoring your account for signs of activity and engagement, so you need to ensure you’re up to speed with both.
Final Thoughts
It takes time, effort, and patience to get verified on Instagram, but the pay-off can be huge. On platforms as competitive as this, verification can (and often does) make all the difference. The verification badge brings your profile and content the kind of appeal that’s second to none.
It sends a message about your credibility, your authority, and your status. Publishers with the blue tick are always more appealing and engaging than those who lack verification. Whatever your goals on Instagram may be, you’ll find them far easier to achieve with a verified account.
