How To Get Verified On Instagram In 8 Simple Steps

If knowing how to get verified on Instagram is something you aspire to achieve, then this is the blog for you.

Instagram verification is the highest form of validation that can be bestowed upon an account. Not only does the famous blue tick signify authenticity, but it also ensures that your profile is the only one representing your brand.

But here’s the catch. 

Becoming Instagram verified isn’t something everyone is able to do. 

To earn this recognition, you must meet a certain set of criteria and if you’ve found your way here, our guess is that you’re looking to change to meet it. 

Want to learn how to get verified on Instagram? Read on to find out how in 8 simple steps.

What does Instagram verification mean exactly?

At this point we are all aware of the difference between a verified Instagram account and an unverified one. 

Instagram’s verification badges help brands and creators stand out, look credible and help users find the correct profile when searching for their favourite accounts. 

It’s clear that verification badges are a coveted status symbol – considering their rarity – however Instagram has assured its users that the algorithm doesn’t favour the accounts with the blue tick and that any high engagement rates are due to posting great content that resonates with the account’s audience. 

Verification eligibility requirements

There are several eligibility requirements that must be met by those wanting to know how to get verified on Instagram. 

Here’s how to earn the coveted blue tick. 

Either subscribe to Meta Verified (click here for its list of eligibility criteria) and send off an application if you know you meet the requirements. To do so, open up Settings & Privacy on your app (note that this application process is not supported by desktop), scroll down to For Professionals and click on Account Type and Tools. From here click Request verification, enter your information and tap Submit. 

Or apply for a badge if you are a public figure, celebrity or brand and meet the following eligibility requirements: 

Must be following Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines 

Be authentic: represent a real person, registered business or entity

Be unique: represent the unique presence of the person or business

Be complete: your account must be public, have a bio and profile picture, and be active when you apply

Be notable: your account must represent a highly searched for person, brand or entity

Lastly, if you’re confident that you’re worthy of a verification badge without even needing to apply, you can simply sit back and wait for Instagram to approach you!

How to get verified on Instagram: 8 simple steps

1. Complete your profile

An optimised Instagram profile is one way for the platform’s verification team to confirm your identity. 

For completion, it must include a well-written bio and a profile photo that represents your brand/self. This could be as simple as your brand’s logo and tagline. 

A complete bio also exudes authenticity, boosting your credibility, followers and engagement.

2. Lookout for imposters

If you’re an account struggling with persistent impersonation, we have great news for you. Straight from the horse’s mouth, Instagram says, “Accounts representing well known figures and brands are verified because they have a high likelihood of being impersonated”. 

Letting Instagram know you’re being impersonated may push them to act. 

3. Stay active on your account

If you’re wondering how to get verified on Instagram, staying active is how. After all, what’s the point of verification if you’re not active?

When admins come to see whether you’re worthy of the blue tick, they’ll be looking for regular activity. You can manage this by stocking up on enticing photos, taking advantage of insights to help plan resonating content, and engage with your audience through comments and likes.

4. Remove cross-platform links from your bio

Though petty to some and genius to others, Instagram explicitly states that verified accounts are not allowed to link to other social media platforms in their bio. 

To be in with a chance of receiving verified status, remove any cross-platform links to your Facebook, TikTok, YouTube etc accounts. Instead, opt for using linktree as your link in bio and include your website or any other important business pages. 

Alternatively – and we’re not suggesting you start a social media war – ensure that you are linking to your Instagram profile on your other socials and websites. While it may be hypocritical to avoid cross-platform linking on Instagram, using your other profiles to link to your Instagram profile suggests validity of profile ownership.

5. Improve your discoverability

The verification process requires accounts to be highly-searched for and well-known. If Instagram can see that people care about you enough to tear themselves away from their Feed and actively search for you, then you are worthy of a blue tick. 

6. Personalise your posts

Of all steps leading to learning how to get verified on Instagram, this is perhaps one of the most fun. Creating unique and authentic content for your account is extremely important. 

Personalising posts looks like adopting a specific brand voice, unique visual style, an overall feed aesthetic, having a content theme or running a hashtag strategy. Anything to make your account stand out from everyone else. 

Essie does a great job of incorporating its summer colours into its feed, doubling them up as the theme for all future content.

7. Hire a publicist or agency to help

If working with a publicist or agency, they will be able to submit a verification request on your behalf. Is verification guaranteed this way? No. However, sending a request through an industry professional definitely carries more weight. 

Also bear in mind that hiring a publicist or agency to help with the verification process is a legitimate source of assistance, unlike buying verification status from a third party. 

8. If you’re rejected, try again

If, after all of your hard work, Instagram rejects your verification request, then double your efforts and try again. 

Do remember, that there is a 30 day waiting period between verification applications. 

There you have it, how to get verified on Instagram in 8 simple steps! 

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@ Socially Powerful