For many of Instagram’s nearly 1.5 billion users, Instagram verification is a critical validation.
Instagram verification, otherwise known as that blue check on a user’s profile, is a signal to other users that your profile is the only one representing your brand.
More officially, Instagram says that getting verified means that the visual-first social media platform has confirmed that your account is “the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity or brand it represents.” It does not equal an endorsement from Instagram.
This verification proves that your profile is not a fake, unofficial or fan account. In addition, it helps your brand stand out.
But you must qualify for Instagram verification. While the exact requirements for getting an Instagram verification badge are unclear, there are some guidelines provided by the platform itself that it takes into consideration when reviewing your application.
While rumors have swirled regarding how many followers your account needs to have to get verified on Instagram, there is no reason to delay applying for Instagram verification if you meet the guidelines, regardless of the size of your following. (Keep in mind that even if your Instagram account is linked to a verified Facebook page, you’ll still need to apply separately for Instagram verification.)
The application itself is relatively easy:
- Log into your Instagram account.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on “Account’ and then “Request Verification.”
- Fill out the required fields.
- If denied, you’ll have to wait 30 days before requesting verification again.
But before you start applying for Instagram verification, the following are XX tips that you can use today to help you get verified on Instagram.
Complete your Instagram profile
Your Instagram profile plays an important role in your verification process. Make sure that it is 100 percent complete. Include a:
- Well-written bio
- Profile photo that represents your brand, business or yourself
- Relevant link
If it’s already complete, ask a colleague to review it. A fresh perspective can identify any opportunities for optimization of your profile that you might not be thinking of.
Avoid cross-platform links in your bio
While we recommend including a relevant link on your Instagram bio, Instagram does not want verified accounts to encourage users to add or follow other social media profiles (such as Facebook or YouTube) in their bios.
That being said, you can still add links to your website, landing page or other web pages. Just avoid linking to your other social media profiles.
On the flip side, it can help to add links to your Instagram profile on your brand’s website, within marketing emails and/or on your other social media profiles. The links to your Instagram account from your other social media profiles especially help validate your profile ownership.
Keep your Instagram account active and uniquely you
Of course, the hope is that if you’re interested in getting verified on Instagram, you’re likely active on the platform. But if you’re not very active, then it’s time to increase your activity in a consistent way.
Regular activity is imperative for Instagram verification. Make sure that you’re posting visually appealing and relevant content for your audience (whether in your feed or in Stories), engage with your followers in comment threads (even on their posts) and monitor your Instagram performance.
Of course, being active on Instagram only gives you the opportunity to consistently reflect your brand personality and everything that makes you unique. When looking over your Instagram content strategy, what helps you stand out, not just from your competitors but also from any impersonator accounts?
Think about your:
- Brand voice
- Visual style
- Overall feed aesthetic
- Content theme
- Hashtag strategy
One easy way to stand out as uniquely you is by sharing behind-the-scenes content that gives your followers an insider’s look at your brand. You also can encourage followers to tag you in their posts, which also helps validate your account as being yours.
Leverage your earned media and SEO
Earned media
Because part of what Instagram is looking for is your notoriety (that you’re a widely recognized brand), earned media can help with that. Earned media is any material written about you or your business that you haven’t paid for or created yourself. The most obvious example is a news article.
Start by Googling yourself and/or your brand and see what comes up. Anything that is relevant should be shared on your account in some way. But if nothing comes up in your searches, you’ll want to create and execute a PR strategy to help change that.
This will take time, but it’s worth the effort (and not just for the Instagram verification).
Check out our eight tips for writing a press release that gets noticed.
SEO
Your notoriety is also helped by your searchability. In other words, the better your search engine optimization (SEO), the better chance you’ll get verified on Instagram.
It’s not a bot that manages your verification request, it’s an actual person. And Instagram does its research. Beyond earned media, what else would someone find when searching for you? Does it positively reflect on your brand and how widely known you are?
If not, it’s time to turn that tide so that any verification research goes in your favor.
Check out our 12 SEO marketing tips for beginners.
Grow your other social media profiles
While you might be focused solely on Instagram, your presence on other social media platforms can be a factor in your Instagram verification. The stronger the presence on other platforms, the better.
Of course, there’s no magic bullet for growing your following on any social media platform, but a few best practices include:
- Leveraging any earned media coverage (such as a news article) to your advantage.
- Showcasing your brand personality through a consistent voice and theme.
- Posting consistently and frequently.
- Creating and sharing engaging content.
Check out seven of the best tools to help grow your Instagram followers.
Identify impersonator profiles
One of the factors that Instagram considers for verification is the potential (or actuality) of your account being impersonated.
Instagram itself says that accounts representing well-known figures and brands are verified because they have a high likelihood of being impersonated.
So, it’s in your best interest to keep an eye out for any impersonating, fake profiles falsely identifying themselves as you or your brand. Report them to Instagram, but you’ll also want to document them for the sake of your verification as well.
Do not buy an Instagram verification badge
Do not get tempted. The only way to get verified on Instagram is to apply through the app (or through Meta’s media partners). If you try to shortcut the process or buy your way in, you’ll be wasting your money and risk getting penalized for violating Instagram’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Use.
In particular, giving false or misleading information during the verification process can actually get your account removed from Instagram entirely.
In conclusion
If you do get verified on Instagram, know that you absolutely can lose it as soon as you’re found to not be following Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines (or if Instagram finds that you gave misleading or false information on your verification application).
So, you do have to play by the rules, stay active and publish unique and engaging content to maintain your verified status.
If you do not get verified on Instagram after applying, don’t worry. You can re-apply for Instagram verification after 30 days. Use those 30 days to continue working at our tips so that your account can hopefully be approved next time.
Remember, while Instagam verification can be a great asset in your overall marketing strategy on the platform, it’s just one piece of it. Keep all your tactics and plans in place so that you can continue working toward your goals, regardless of whether you’re verified or not.
As you begin to optimize your Instagram presence for possible verification, consider leveling up your digital marketing process, which can include automation, audience segmentation and enhanced email marketing capabilities, to name a few. DailyStory can help. Schedule your free demo with us today.
