Having a blue checkmark next to your username is also a matter of popularity or status. That little icon has been next to the names of celebrities and big organizations for a while, and now you can get verified on Instagram by going through a quick and easy process.
With your identity verified on Instagram, you’ll be the authentic source for everything related to your brand. People will know they’re interacting with the real person or entity, which can increase engagement with your profile. This is great if you’re in the world of online sales, as it can help you convert followers into potential customers.
Instagram has opened up the verification process to anyone with a personal account or those who manage a business account. However, it’s not an easy thing to achieve, as Instagram maintains certain standards. You must be an account of public interest, as the platform claims.
Additionally, you must always ensure that you comply with Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Also, your account must meet the following requirements to be considered for verification:
Your account must be completely genuine and authentic
You must be who you say you are to be considered for verification. This means you’ll need to prove your identity (you may need to submit a photo ID or driver’s license), show that you’re a registered business or other public entity, and double-check that your full name on your ID matches the name on your Instagram bio. If you’re trying to verify a business account, you may be asked for relevant business documents during the application process.
Your account must be unique
Instagram is very strict about verifying one account per user. Fan accounts of celebrities or musicians do not qualify, nor do content pages that do not generate original content. Meme accounts are generally not considered for verification either. Make sure you post consistently when your followers are active.
Your account must be public
To verify your account on Instagram, you need to make sure your profile is public. Some companies have experimented with private accounts, but it rarely works, and Instagram won’t verify any closed pages.
Make sure your account details are complete
You should have a complete bio, an attractive profile picture, and some original posts. Try to keep everything original, as you don’t want to overshare content you didn’t create. Show Instagram that you’re an active user by uploading stories and keeping your profile picture up to date.
Your account must be relevant and of public interest
Instagram has made it clear that accounts that want to be verified must represent a notable person, brand or business, organization or public entity. Increase your account’s exposure and engagement. Try to get featured on notable news sources, use effective hashtags, and avoid excessive promotional content at first. It also helps to have an engaged audience that supports your posts with “likes.”
Getting verified on Instagram: step-by-step instructions
- In your profile, click the Menu button in the top right corner.
- Click ‘Settings’ at the top of the list.
- Scroll down and click on ‘Account’
- Now click on ‘Request verification’ to begin the process
- Fill in your full name, company name and category
- Upload a high-quality photo of your ID and business documents
- Click ‘Submit’ and wait 24-72 hours for the verdict.
Why verify your Instagram account?
Instagram verification badges have become a status symbol because they used to be so hard to get. But the checkmark offers much more than just a little blue icon.
- Impersonation Protection: Instagram proactively monitors for verified account impersonators.
- Direct access to customer support: Verified accounts have access to human support.
- Increased visibility (maybe!): Instagram has changed its stance on this issue, first stating that verified accounts would appear higher in searches and then saying they wouldn’t.
The exact benefits Instagram offers to verified accounts are constantly changing as they test the new Meta Verified program. But at the very least, accounts with the blue check mark will be more trustworthy than unverified accounts.
