Instagram Verified status is the holy grail for any marketer. That blue checkmark on Instagram shows that your profile is the “real deal”. It just so happens to give you a tad more credibility too.
We are going to go over common questions and myths about Instagram Verification. What does it mean to be verified? What is Instagram verification? How to apply? How do you get the blue checkmark on Instagram?
And finally…
How to get verified on Instagram? All very good questions we have the answers to. Also, we’ve got clever tips to increase your chances of getting there.
if you’re ready to step your Instagram game up, just keep on reading!
What is a Verified Badge (Blue Checkmark) on Instagram?
Let’s start with common myths about the blue checkmark. We’d like to ask you a simple question.
When you stumble upon a verified Instagram account – what is the first thing that comes to mind? That they are a celebrity? A big brand? A billion-dollar company?
You see, that’s where most of us get it wrong. No one becomes verified just because they are Selena Gomez’s niece. Nor because they’ve gained 100k followers in two months from a TikTok trend.
To be verified means that your profile is officially verified by Instagram. People, brands, and businesses with the Instagram verified badge are authentic. Or as Instagram would call it, they have “an authentic presence”. That’s how to get verified on Instagram.
An up and coming musician’s official Instagram profile
That takes confirming your name with personal information. You need legal documentation to back up your identity claims. After that, you will be the most credible profile under your name. One of a kind, so to say!
So, how to get the blue tick on Instagram?
Who can get a Verified Badge on Instagram?
Now that we’ve talked about the what – let’s discuss the who. You don’t have to be famous to be verified. It’s not even about having millions of Instagram followers.
There must be a good reason for Instagram to bother with the verification of your profile. For example, Instagram will do anything in their power to avoid imposter accounts.
These fake profiles target big names and brands. They use their influence to trick unwary users. That’s why the selection process is very long and detailed – Instagram takes its users’ security very seriously!
The blue badge shows that the person or brand behind the profile is real and can be trusted. So don’t be mad if they don’t get back to you right away. Let’s be honest, the World, or Instagram in this case, doesn’t need another Jake Paul.
“So, can I get verified then?” – Yes – You can try.
In 2018, Instagram added a new feature to the bunch – a public verified account application. This means that anyone with an account on Instagram can try to verify it. They all have a chance to get the Instagram verified logo.
But before that, people just assumed the criteria was being “famous”. That’s why many myths were surrounding the verification process. We just didn’t know.
Thankfully, we’ve prepared all there is to know about it today! So, how do you get verified on Instagram?
How to get Instagram Verified?
And finally, here’s the jackpot you’ve been waiting for. Read these steps carefully, and take a look at the screenshots below. This is how to file the application and how to get verified on Instagram:
- Tap the three lines in the upper right corner of your profile;
- Press “Settings”;
- Click the “Account” option;
- Press “Request Verification”;
- Fill out your full name, professional name, and category;
- Upload a picture of your ID or business documents;
- Click Send when your application is complete;
- You hope for the best;
Read all the requirements you are presented with carefully! You will need a valid ID to confirm your application.
A driver’s license, passport, or national ID will work. As long as they clearly state your name and date of birth. And that would be it!
The wait is usually no longer than three days. So, fingers crossed!
You should also be prepared for a not-so-positive outcome. Instagram won’t verify just anyone these days. Even if you’ve provided all the necessary information.
As we’ve mentioned above, they’re still pretty vague on the exact requirements. But here’s what we know on how to get a blue check on Instagram:
What Are The Requirements For Instagram Verification?
The following requirements came directly from Instagram’s Terms of Service. So, in addition to following all the Community Guidelines – a future verified profile must…
- Be Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity.
- Be Unique: Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Only one account per person or business may be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
- Be Complete: Your account must be public and have a bio, profile photo, and at least one post. Your profile can’t contain “add me” links to other social media services.
- Be Notable: Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand, or entity.
Keep in mind that you always need to identify your claims with a valid ID. Many profiles have been denied at first.
There’s rarely a clear explanation as to why. These written requirements, plus the application itself, is all the information we have. If you believe you fulfill the criteria – shoot your shot!
We can’t directly influence Instagram’s final decision. But, we can help you increase the odds of getting verified.
After carefully analyzing how the system works – we’ve developed a few tips and tricks of our own. Follow these 5 steps to increase your chances of getting verified on Instagram.
5 Ways To Finally Get Instagram Blue Checkmark
1. Keep Growing Your Followers
Having a bigger following helps quite a bit in this situation. Instagram stated that “well-known” profiles have a higher chance of getting verified. And what do all these “well-known” profiles have in common? That’s right. A big audience.
Growth on Instagram is no joke. It requires a lot of time, patience, and an excellent strategy to pull it off. Engagement on Instagram is very important.
And services like Flock Social offer one-of-a-kind plans.
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2. Improve Your Content
How to verify an Instagram account depends on how “complete” your Instagram profile is. Always make sure your bio is filled out. Include an eye-catching profile photo and have at least one post on your account. That’s the obligatory requirement.
As for the fancier side of things, editing is crucial! You’ll never fail to increase your odds of verification with:
- A sleek and well-edited feed;
- Well-thought-out captions;
- A memorable Instagram Bio;
If you’d like to know how to create perfect Instagram bios for your profile – look no further! We got you covered there as well.
3. Work On Being “Well-Known”
Here’s something you probably didn’t know. Every verification application is being reviewed by an Instagram employee manually. Now, that’s not the surprising part.
But what is surprising is this – they review it by performing a check on various news sources.
And when Instagram says “be well-known”, that’s exactly what they mean. So, what do you do? Get your name out there! That’s how to get verified on Instagram!
If you have a business or brand, that’s even better. Reach out to media outlets by sending press releases for example. Whatever you can to get your work in the news. One of the main disqualifiers is when a profile isn’t “newsworthy”.
“Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand, or entity. We review accounts that are featured in multiple news sources, and we don’t consider paid or promotional content as sources for review.”
4. Optimize Your Website
Having a high searchability level is of great help here. Optimizing your webpage and other social media profiles will create just that! The more social presence you have – the bigger chance you have to appear when searched.
Give “guest-starring” a try too. That involves mentions through other profiles and sites. This could result in even more search results.
5. Be Active and Consistent
It’s important to always show activity on your page. It makes you look very committed and professional. We recommend posting once every two days. As for stories, posting them every day is a must.
Being consistent with it, though, is a requirement. Having a brand message or slogan is a great way to do that. It shows your core values and flaunts originality.
Conclusion
Don’t be afraid if this seems impossible at first glance. No one was an expert in the beginning. But experts are always here to help! How to become verified on Instagram is a million-dollar question sometimes.
Getting Instagram Verified isn’t a necessity, but it is very helpful. Being “real” on social media is what gives all these influencers the credibility they have. Nonetheless, don’t stress if you don’t get it the first time around. You can always try again and again.
