While verification on Instagram may appear as a status symbol, it serves practical purposes beyond that. Obtaining a verified Instagram account brings several benefits, including enhanced engagement, facilitating the discovery of genuine news sources, and preventing impersonation, among other crucial advantages.
The desire to attain the coveted blue checkmark on Instagram is understandable as verification lends credibility to any account. In this blog post, we will delve into the concept of verification, providing insights on how to get verified on Instagram. Additionally, we’ll share valuable tips to enhance your chances of obtaining verification and address frequently asked questions about the elusive blue tick.
What is Instagram verification and why do you need it?
The familiar blue tick on Instagram profiles indicates verification—a confirmation from Instagram that the account is authentic and represents a prominent brand, public figure, or celebrity. Verification serves as a valuable resource for Instagram users, enabling them to identify genuine accounts of notable individuals and reputable companies.
In addition to status, obtaining a verified account on Instagram offers several noteworthy advantages:
- Enhanced Credibility: Verification adds credibility, which is crucial when sharing important research, news, or articles. Users are more likely to trust and engage with verified accounts.
- Improved Search Visibility: Verified accounts enjoy the benefit of standing out in search results. They are prioritized and displayed at the top, increasing visibility and making it easier for users to find them.
- Impersonation Prevention: Verification helps address impersonation issues. Instagram ensures that only one instance of a person or brand is verified, eliminating confusion and allowing users to trust the authenticity of the verified account.
- Increased Engagement Rates: Verified accounts experience higher engagement rates. A study conducted on 6.5 million Instagram accounts revealed that verified accounts, on average, receive 30% more engagement than non-verified accounts.
Having a verified account on Instagram goes beyond mere status, offering tangible benefits that enhance credibility, visibility, and engagement.
How to get verified on Instagram
In order to attain verification on Instagram, the initial step is to submit an application. It’s important to note that Instagram’s verification process does not involve any fees. Therefore, exercise caution and do not trust any account claiming to sell Instagram verification.
In order to be eligible for verification on Instagram, it is essential to adhere to standard best practices, which include:
- Compliance with Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines: Ensure that your account follows Instagram’s rules and guidelines to maintain a positive and respectful community environment.
- Representation of a Real Person: Your account should represent an actual individual, not a fake persona or entity. Authenticity is a key requirement for verification.
- Unique Presence: Each person or business can only have one verified account. Your account should possess a distinct and distinguishable presence that sets it apart from others.
- Complete Profile: To increase your chances of verification, ensure that your profile is comprehensive and includes the following elements:
- Profile Picture: Use a clear and recognizable profile picture that represents you or your brand effectively.
- Active Engagement: Be actively engaged on the platform by regularly posting and interacting with your audience.
- Bio: Craft a concise and informative bio that accurately describes yourself or your business.
- Public Account: Set your account to public visibility to enable Instagram and its users to access and evaluate your content.
Establishing yourself as a notable account can be a more challenging aspect of the verification process. It requires providing Instagram with evidence of your notable status, which can vary in difficulty depending on individual circumstances. Instagram defines notability as representing a “well-known, highly searched-for person.”
Instagram has shared a helpful tip regarding verification, stating that they look for accounts that have been featured in multiple news sources. It’s important to note that paid and promotional content does not count towards this requirement. Moreover, Instagram has expanded its list of news sources to include a broader range of outlets, including those from additional Black, LGBTQ+, and Latinx media, as well as outlets from around the world. This inclusive approach is encouraging news for aspiring verifications.
If you haven’t yet been featured in multiple outlets, don’t worry. In the following section, we will provide tips for increasing your chances of getting verified, offering guidance on how to build notable credentials. However, if you do have the necessary proof of being featured in multiple outlets, you can proceed to the next step of submitting your application for verification.
- Submit an application to Instagram (easy)
Submitting the verification application is a relatively straightforward process as it can be done directly from your own Instagram account. To request verification on Instagram, follow these steps from within your account:
- From your Instagram account, click on the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
- Click Settings, then Account, and you might need to scroll down to find Request verification.
Step 1: confirm authenticity
Completing the verification application involves providing your full name and submitting a document as proof of identity. When it comes to document options, you can choose from the following:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- National identification card
- Tax filing
- Recent utility bill
- Articles of incorporation
Step 2: confirm notability
In this section, you are required to demonstrate that your account represents a notable public figure, celebrity, or brand. Here’s how you can showcase this information:
- Choose a Category: Select the most relevant category that represents your account from the provided options. The categories include News/Media, Sports, Government and Politics, Music, Fashion, Entertainment, Digital Creator/Blogger/Influencer, Gamer, Global Business/Brand/Organization, or Other.
- Select Your Country or Region: Specify the country or region associated with your account.
- Provide Audience Information (Optional): You have the option to provide additional details about your audience. Instagram suggests describing who your followers are, their interests, and the reasons they follow your account.
- Also Known As (Optional): Optionally, you can include “Also Known As” information. In this section, list any alternative names by which the person or organization represented by your account is known. This may include different names and translations in other languages.
That’s it!
Once you’ve submitted your application, Instagram will notify you of the outcome within 30 days if your application is successful. In the event that you don’t receive verification, you have the option to reapply after 30 days. It’s important to note that if you submit multiple applications before your original application is reviewed, Instagram will cancel all subsequent applications. Therefore, exercising patience is crucial to maintain your chances of obtaining that coveted blue checkmark instead of jeopardizing your verification prospects.
Tips for increasing your chances of being verified
If the process of getting verified were simple, almost everyone would pursue it. However, that is not the case. To enhance your chances of obtaining verification, here are several actions you can take.
Grow your following on Instagram
Instagram prioritizes the verification of active accounts, so it’s essential to maintain an active presence on the platform while striving to grow your account. In Instagram’s perspective, the number of followers you have also contributes to your notability. Therefore, continuously working towards increasing your follower count is always beneficial.
Get media mentions
While it may sound challenging, it is entirely possible to achieve. To begin, aim to gather at least three links to support your verification application, a goal that is within reach. One effective approach is to proactively reach out to relevant publications that align with your story or current endeavors and pitch your business to them. If you have the financial resources, hiring a publicist or PR agency can also greatly assist in this process. Remember, with determination and strategic efforts, you can increase your chances of obtaining the desired verification.
Be strategic about when you apply
If your case for verification isn’t exceptionally strong, it’s important to be strategic about the timing of your application. Take advantage of opportune moments to submit your request. For instance, if one of your Reels is currently going viral, it’s an ideal time to apply. Similarly, if you have recently garnered significant press mentions within a short span of time, it’s worth taking the opportunity to apply for verification. Timing plays a crucial role, so exercise caution and thoughtfulness when submitting your application to maximize your chances of success.
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