Finally, Instagram users (not just public figures) can get verified on Instagram. With the latest announcement from Mark Zuckerberg, all Meta users on Facebook and Instagram can apply with a government-issued photo id and apply for account verification.
Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion active users. With such a big number, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and gain a significant following. One way to increase your credibility on Instagram is to get verified and obtain the coveted blue checkmark badge. What it actually means? In simple terms, Instagram vouches for you, i.e., they make it known to the public that your account is worth following.
In this blog post, we will explore what Instagram verification means, how to get verified on Instagram through two different options, and ten tips to get Instagram verification.
Intrigued yet? Let’s go.
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What Does Instagram Verification Mean?
Instagram verification is a process that allows Instagram to verify the authenticity of a user’s account. When an account is verified, it will receive a blue checkmark badge next to the account name. This badge indicates that Instagram has confirmed the identity of the account owner and that the account is genuine.
Instagram verification is important because it can help users gain more credibility and trust from their followers. A verified account is also more likely to be seen by a wider audience, as Instagram often prioritizes verified accounts in search results and recommendations.
On the other hand, when the accounts are verified with an ID or driver’s license, Meta will be able to protect the platform from misleading or false information.
Benefits of owning the blue check on Instagram
Here is a summary of the main benefits of having an account verified and how owning an Instagram-verified badge helps:
- Increased credibility: The blue checkmark is a symbol of authenticity and credibility. It indicates that Instagram has verified your account as a legitimate public figure, brand, or entity. This can increase trust among your followers and potential collaborators.
Higher visibility: Verified accounts may appear higher in search results and explore pages, making them more visible to potential followers and collaborators. - Access to new Instagram features: With the recent unification of verification systems, verified users on Instagram may have access to new features and tools that are not available to regular users.
- Improved security: Verified accounts are less likely to be impersonated or hacked, as they have additional security measures in place, such as two-factor authentication.
- Priority support: Verified accounts may receive priority support from Instagram’s customer service team, which can help with issues related to account security or other concerns.
- Opportunities for collaboration: Brands and other influencers are more likely to collaborate with verified accounts due to their credibility and reach.
- Overall, having the blue checkmark on Instagram can provide numerous benefits for public figures, brands, or entities looking to establish themselves on the platform.
Option 1: Pay to Get Meta Verified Account (NEW)
Let’s start with the newest and much easier option to get the blue check, shall we?
In the recent press releases by Meta, this new subscription bundle includes both Facebook and Instagram verification of the account, impersonation protection, and access to increased visibility and support. So if you are not a global brand or a public figure then this option is for you.
To get verified on Instagram with Meta Verified, you will need to provide your Instagram username and a copy of your government-issued ID, a method to protect the entire network from false or misleading information. You will also need to pay a fee, which can vary depending on whether you want the verification for the web version or for your iPhone.
For the web version, you’ll have to pay $12 a month, while for the iPhone, it’s $15 a month – but if you already have the blue verification badge, you’ll be able to keep it for now. No requirement for a minimum follower count.
Please note that businesses are not eligible to apply for Meta Verified at this time.
Once you have submitted your information and paid the fee, Meta Verified will review your application and verify your account if you meet their requirements in protecting the platform from misleading or false information. If your application is successful, you will receive your blue checkmark badge on your Instagram profile. At the time being, this service is offered only in Australia and New Zealand.
Option 2: Fill in a Verification Process on Your Instagram Account
(the author does not have an active Instagram account, so she can’t really post pictures or take screenshots – unavailable action)
The second option for getting verified on Instagram is to go through the verification process directly through Instagram. This option is free but much more difficult and time-consuming to achieve.
To begin the verification process, go to your Instagram profile and follow the steps below:
- Tap the top right menu icon
- In Settings, tap Preferences
- Next, tap Request Verification
- Fill in the required information, including your full name and a government-issued ID or for a business to submit official business documents
- Tap ‘Submit‘.
Here is the list of required documents:
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- National identification card
- Tax filing
- Recent utility bill
- Articles of incorporation (official business document for registered business)
Instagram will then review your application and notify you of the decision. If your application is approved, you’ll receive your blue Instagram badge.
10 tips to get verified on Instagram
These tips mostly applied to getting the badge for free with the Instagram verification steps, as explained in Option 2.
Your account must be authentic and complete
The first step to getting verified on Instagram is to ensure that your account is authentic and complete with an appealing Instagram bio. This means that your profile should accurately represent you or your brand. This means you should have a profile picture, a bio, and at least one post on your account as the bare minimum.
Earn relevant media exposure
Another way of increasing your chances of getting verified on Instagram is to earn relevant and other social media services’ exposure. This means that you should try to get your name or brand mentioned in reputable publications or relevant websites.
If you can afford to pay an agency to take care of your exposure, you can do that. Also, if you’re name is well-known enough – looking at you, Pedro Pascal – your chances of getting verified will be much stronger.
Don’t try to buy an Instagram verification badge
Let’s get this straight: Under no circumstance buying a verified Instagram badge is the legitimate way to get verified on Instagram. This is against Instagram’s policies and can result in your account being suspended or permanently banned.
Don’t use third-party services to apply
Similarly, using third-party services to apply for verification on Instagram is not recommended. These services are often scams and can compromise the security of your account. If you find anything that resembles this, don’t fall for it:
Look out for impersonator profiles
Although they say imitation is the highest form of flattery, it’s not doing you good in this case. Impersonator profiles on Instagram are fake accounts that use your name or brand to deceive followers. In case you discover them, report them immediately and take steps to differentiate yourself from them.
Don’t break Instagram’s rules and policies
Instagram has strict rules and policies that all users must follow. If you want to get verified on Instagram, it’s important to ensure that your account doesn’t violate any of these rules.
Some common examples of these violations are posting inappropriate content, engaging in spammy behavior, or using bots to grow your following. If Instagram detects any rule violations on your account, it may result in your account being suspended or even permanently banned.
Get more (real) followers
Having a large following on Instagram can help increase trust and credibility and make you more likely to get verified. However, it’s important to note that Instagram prioritizes quality over quantity regarding followers.
Instead of trying to buy followers or use bots to grow your following, focus on building a genuine following of real people who are interested in your Instagram content as an authentic content creator. You can do this by posting high-quality content, engaging with your followers, and using relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
For example, @simimoonlight isn’t afraid to experiment with new interests, styles, and adventures—and bring her audience along with her.
Stay active on your account
Well, this is a no-brainer: If you want to get verified on Instagram, you need to be active. This means posting regular content, responding to comments and messages, and engaging with other users on the platform.
All these activities will increase your visibility and engagement, which can help increase your chances of getting verified. It’s worth mentioning that, when it comes to verification, Instagram prioritizes accounts that are active – so staying consistent and active can help you reach your goal of verification.
Connect with other verified accounts
A great way to show your Instagram followers that you’re part of the “elite” is to connect with other verified accounts on Instagram. This could mean collaborating with other verified users on the content or simply engaging with their posts and building a relationship with them.
By building such connections with other verified accounts, you can demonstrate to Instagram that you’re a credible and respected member of the community, which can increase your chances of getting verified yourself.
Optimize your profile
Your Instagram profile is one of the most important factors when getting verified. To optimize your profile, make sure that your bio is complete and accurately reflects who you are and what you do.
Use a professional link in bio page creator, and create your brand’s .link page using tools such as Feedlink, appealing very professionally by owning your domain name.
Additionally, use high-quality images and videos for your profile picture and cover photo, and make sure that your content is consistent with your personal brand. Optimizing your profile can create a strong and compelling image of yourself on Instagram, which can also increase your chances of getting verified.
To conclude, getting verified on Instagram can be a valuable way to increase your brand’s credibility and trust. Whether you choose to get verified through Meta Verified or through Instagram’s verification process, it’s important to ensure that your account is authentic, complete, and follows Instagram’s rules and policies so you can get the coveted blue checkmark badge.
How to Increase Chances of Getting Verified?
You can do this in several ways:
- Optimize your profile to represent who you are and what you do accurately
- Link your Instagram account to your Facebook account
- Use popular hashtags to raise the visibility of your account
- Build a strong following by creating quality content and engaging with followers
- Establish a strong personal brand and voice that is consistent and represents your identity and values
- Get featured in relevant media outlets
- Build relationships within the Instagram community – especially with other verified accounts
Instagram Verification FAQ
As of recently, the meaning of the Instagram blue checkmark badge has been updated to represent authenticity. When an Instagram account has the verified badge next to its name (symbol of the badge), it means that Instagram has confirmed it as the authentic presence of that person or a brand. This mark is actually a tool that helps people find the real accounts of brands or other people, and it is not a symbol of importance, authority, or subject matter expertise.
No, Instagram verification and Facebook verification are two separate processes. Just because your Instagram account is verified, it doesn’t mean that you will automatically receive verification on Facebook. If you want to get verified on Facebook, you will need to go through a separate verification process on that platform.
However, this will likely change with the new Meta Verified bundle that has just been released. It is expected to offer verification badges both for Instagram and Facebook at a certain price, but we are yet to see how this new Instagram feature will unfold for users.
It used to be free until recently. However, the new paid subscription service, Meta Verified, will cost about $12 a month for a web version and $15 a month for iPhone.
While verified accounts used to be just for public figures in the past, anyone can get verified as long as they pay the fee. Also, the new – paid – version of the verified badge is supposed to be valid for both Instagram and Facebook.
Both options, Meta Verified, and the verification application must go hand in hand with Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. Furthermore, your account has to be:
1. Authentic – to represent a real person or a registered entity, or a brand
2. Unique – to represent the unique presence of the brand or the person, and only one account per brand or person is allowed
3. Complete – the profile must be public and have a profile photo, a bio and be active at the time of application
4. Notable – to represent a highly-searched, well-known brand, entity, or person. Paid or sponsored media content is not considered a source.
After your verification request is reviewed, you will receive a notification in Activity up to 30 days after you have applied, which will inform you about the status of your application.
If your application gets denied by any chance, you can apply again in 30 days.
You can submit a new request in 30 days if your application gets denied. Be careful; if you apply for a verified badge multiple times before receiving a decision, Instagram can cancel your application.
The reasons are usually using a fake account, but it can happen to language-specific accounts and general interest accounts such as fan accounts.
You don’t need any specific or required number of followers to get verified on Instagram. What you do need, however, is to have a notable account. This means that people should use you or your brand’s name. In other words, you need to appear in relevant search results. Bottom line: the more followers you have, the more Instagram will consider you as notable.
Instagram may remove your verification badge at any time if they find out you violate their policies or if they detect any suspicious activity on your account. So don’t try to advertise, transfer, or sell your verified badge.
Do not promote services or activities that don’t follow Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines.
Do not attempt to verify your account through a third party. Lastly, don’t switch your account from public to private too often.
Display a Blue Chemark on Your Website’s Instagram Feed
If you are using social media aggregators to embed your Instagram feed or other user-generated content on your website, there are a few steps to display a blue checkmark on your website.
EmbedFeed is one of the best platforms to generate and embed Instagram feed on your website. It has powerful options, and you are able to display your checkmark next to the avatar of the posts that are synced on your website.
You will be able to find this option in Source settings as shown below:
If you still haven’t tried EmbedFeed, check the Instagram widgets templates library and pick a slider, carousel, or grid to embed your Instagram feed on your website.
Key Takeaways
Having a verified Instagram account can differentiate your account as unique and will help you increase brand awareness. It will appear across your entire Instagram presence, such as the Instagram feed when posting pictures, Instagram stories, and when publishing promotional content.
Of course, your ultimate goal will be to own verified badges not just on Instagram but on all your social media accounts or online presences (where available), such as your Twitter account, YouTube channel, or Facebook page.
Embed Instagram feed on your website without lifting a finger!
Generate and embed Instagram widget with your feed, mentions, or hashtags directly to your website.
FYI: You can automatically embed an Instagram widget with a social media aggregator, bringing your website to life with fresh content.