For years you’ve probably envied the lucky few who had the blue checkmark next to their username. It gave off a sense of authority, power, and exclusivity and up until now was almost impossible to get. The good news is Instagram recently changed their criteria for who can get verified, opening up this exclusive club to the masses. It’s still pretty tough to get approved but at least now you have the opportunity to apply for the blue badge, whereas before you had no say in the matter. If you’re ready to step up your Instagram game and believe your account should be seen as an authority, then here’s how you can get verified on Instagram.
How to Apply
The application process to get verified on Instagram is actually quite simple. From your Instagram app, navigate to your profile and click the menu icon in the top right corner. Click the settings button at the bottom of the sidebar, then scroll down and click Account. Towards the bottom of this menu you’ll see Request Verification.
The application requires you to input your username, full name, what you’re “known as”, and the category of your account. You’ll also need to upload a photo of your ID or an official business document. Once you’ve filled everything out, click submit and you’re done! Easy right? Unfortunately there’s no guarantee that you’ll be approved and there isn’t a strict timeline on when you’ll find out.
What Does It Mean to Be Verified on Instagram?
Instagram verification is used to inform users if an account is authentic and to confirm that it is the official account of a public figure, celebrity, or brand. There are thousands of fake accounts on Instagram so the blue checkmark confirms that the account you are following is actually Kim Kardashian, and not some guy living in his mother’s basement impersonating her.
How Do I Get Approved?
Instagram lists four general requirements to apply for a verified badge on their website:
Authenticity
The first requirement that Instagram states is that your account needs to actually represent a real person or business. They verify the authenticity of your account through the government issued ID or official business documents that you submitted with your application.
Uniqueness
The second requirement is that your account needs to be the only one of its kind. If you own a personal account and an Influencer account, only one can be verified. Their rule is “only one account per person or business may be verified.”
Complete Profile
No profile photo? No badge. You need to have every part of your account filled out in order to qualify for verification. This means you need a profile photo, a complete bio, and at least one post (although one post probably isn’t enough to convince them that you’re an authority on Instagram). Make sure your account is public, too!
Recognition
Is your name or brand recognizable? Do people regularly search for you on Google or other social media networks? If not, you might not be ready for verification. You’ll need to up your influencer status through other means in order to become a notable figure worthy of the blue verification badge.
Can I Pay to get Instagram Verified?
There have been reports that you can find sources online where you can pay to get verified on Instagram. But why bother? You might as well apply and see first. If you don't get approved, then consider looking for a black market provider to get your blue check of approval.
If you get denied for verification, don’t sweat it! You can re-apply 30 days later. The best way to increase your chances of getting verified is to make sure you have a killer profile and a solid strategy. We can help you out in both of these areas. Check out our posts on Best Profile Photo Tips, Best Bio Ideas, and How to Get Real Followers. Having a large, engaged following will also help improve your chances of being seen as an authority on Instagram. It takes a lot of time and effort to build a genuine audience which is why we’d like to offer you a 7-day free trial of our Instagram Growth Services. Our social media marketers will target your ideal audience and engage with them in order to quickly grow your following and increase the engagement on your posts. Sign up for your 7-day free trial now and increase your chances of getting verified!