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How to Get Verified on Instagram

Are you wondering how your favorite public figure or Instagram brand became Instagram verified? Wonder no more. Here are the steps you take to apply to become verified on Instagram to grow your followers.

Anyone can apply to be verified, but actually getting verified by Instagram is not so easy. This guide to becoming verified on Instagram will walk you through the application process as well as explain Instagram’s requirements for verification and how to meet them.

 

What Does It Mean To Get Verified on Instagram?

What exactly is a verified badge? That blue check mark deems a profile Instagram verified. According to Instagram: “A verified badge is a check that appears next to an Instagram account’s name in search and on the profile. It means Instagram has confirmed that an account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity or global brand it represents.”

Being verified on Instagram confirms your identity, but it also denotes a certain level of significance to your profile. A verified profile holds connotations of Instagram fame or higher social status. Verified accounts will pop up first in searches, making your profile more visible once it is verified.

Why Everyone Wants to Get Verified on Instagram

What’s the big deal about a blue checkmark next to your name? Most big celebrities are verified, but people trying to become Instagram influencers, bloggers, and even just everyday Instagrammers are now applying for Instagram verification.

The appeal of getting verified on Instagram is all about social proof and clout. First, it shows that you’re a significant figure – significant enough for Instagram to approve the blue badge. It also makes your account easier to find. When searching for people on Instagram, verified accounts tend to pop up first, so it will be easier for new followers to find your profile.

Getting verified on Instagram may seem silly, but it suggests a sense of importance. It also quite literally verifies your identity, which can be an issue when people create fake or fan accounts for celebrities.

Apply to Get Verified on Instagram

Anyone can apply to be verified on Instagram, but blue check marks are given out at Instagram’s discretion. To apply for verification on Instagram, follow these simple steps:

      1. Log into your Instagram account
      2. Go to your profile and in the top right corner, click the three vertical lines to display your account menu.
      3. At the bottom, click “Settings”
      4. Under the “Account” heading, click “Request Verification” and fill out the form. You will need a picture of a valid, government-issued photo ID.

 

Once you apply, Instagram will let you know within 30 days if you’ve been verified. If you are approved, the blue verification badge will automatically appear next to your name. You can reapply after the 30 day period, but unless something about your account has changed, you’ll likely get the same result.

Requirements for Instagram Verification

While it’s easy for anyone to apply to get verified on Instagram, those who have tried will tell you that receiving your blue check mark is not so simple. Instagram is picky with who receives verification – according to Instagram, you have to be a public figure, celebrity, or brand. According to Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, a verified profile must be authentic, unique, complete, and notable.

Authentic: To be an authentic profile, you have to be a real person or a registered business or entity. This means no imposters – this criteria is the simple verification of identity.

Unique: You don’t have to be creative for this one – you just have to be the only one of you that exists. Multiple profiles for the same person, business, or brand cannot be verified, so to get verified you have to be the real deal. Instagram does make exceptions when verifying language-specific accounts for world-wide businesses or brands.

Complete: A complete profile just means that your account is public, has a profile picture, an Instagram bio, and at least one post.

Notable: This is the one that’s hard to meet. Instagram defines a notable profile as one that represents, “a well-known, highly searched for person, brand or entity”. They also note that they consider accounts that are featured by multiple news sources, and they do not consider paid or promotional content. Instagram does not make it easy to meet their standards of notability, which is what makes that blue check mark so coveted.

Tips To Get Verified On Instagram and Get Your Blue Checkmark

Let’s say you tried to get verified on Instagram and failed – what now? Assuming that your Instagram profile is authentic, unique, and complete, you most likely fell short on the “notable” requirement. Instagram is picky about giving out verified badges, and has stated that they tend to verify only account that are likely to be impersonated. Try our tips to make your account more notable and get your blue checkmark.

Here are Tips on How to Get Verified on Instagram:

      1. Promote your Instagram Account
      2. Consolidate usernames across platforms
      3. Stay on brand
      4. Link to your website
      5. Optimize your bio
      6. Choose the right profile picture
      7. Stay active and original

 

Promote your Instagram Account

Advertise your Instagram account on other social media platforms and websites to confirm your identity and get more followers. By adding a link to your Instagram account or embedding a photo on your website, blog, or other social media, you will further prove that you are a unique and authentic identity while also promoting your Instagram and hopefully leading to more followers, likes, and Instagram fame.

Consolidate Usernames Across Platforms

Make sure that you have the same username on all social media platforms. Using the same username makes you more easily identifiable and improves your social media presence. Consistent branding will make it easier for followers to find you across platforms.

Stay On Brand

Your accounts should all match, and you should post relevant content for your brand. Just like consistent usernames are helpful, so is consistent branding in terms of content and aesthetic. Staying on brand will make your account more recognizable. Consistent branding is also important to maintain a strong account in general, so keep this rule of thumb in all of your social media efforts. 

Link to Your Website

If you have a website, blog, or some other link that proves your authenticity and social relevance, include the link in your bio. Do not include other social media links, however, as Instagram flags accounts with “add me links” or requests for follows on other social media platforms. Linking to your website will establish some authority and legitimacy for your identity and your relevance as an account that should be verified. 

Optimize Your Bio

A strong bio will tell followers who you are, what you do, and show your personality. Use keywords that are on-brand, and link any branded or especially relevant hashtags. Your bio is the first thing that new followers read when they come to your profile, so it should make it clear who you are, why your content is relevant or interesting, and why they should follow you. 

Choose the Right Profile Picture

Your profile picture is also one of the first things that new followers, and Instagram verification checks, will notice. If you run a branded account, you should use the brand logo. If it’s your personal account, use a clear picture of your face. Ideally, you should have the same profile picture across all social media platforms.

Stay Active and Original

You should have an active and engaging Instagram account if you want to be verified. Stay up-to-date in terms of posting content relevant to your brand and engaging with other users via likes, comments, and smart hashtag use. Instagram will not give verification badges to inactive accounts.

Your account should also always be original – we already covered this, as its one of Instagram’s factors when they choose who to verify, but it’s a vital element. Give followers a reason to follow you and Instagram a reason to verify you by sharing original, interesting content that can’t be found elsewhere.

Can’t Get Verified on Instagram, But Want More Followers?

If you tried and failed to get verified on Instagram, don’t give up hope. You can always try again later, but if you don’t update your account you’ll likely get the same results.

If you wanted to be verified to get more followers, we have another solution: try Social Buddy! Social Buddy is an Instagram growth service that helps you find real followers who will engage with your content. Since Social Buddy helps with followers and engagement, using our service could help you on your path to getting verified. Learn more here!

Written by Erin

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