If you want to know how to become verified on Instagram, yous've come up to the correct place. In this guide, we'll tell you how to apply for that coveted blue badge (that's the like shooting fish in a barrel part) and provide some tips to help you lot qualify (that's the hard role).

Don't take time to read? Scout our video that volition show you how to get verified on Instagram:

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What does Instagram verification mean?

Instagram verification is how you lot evidence that your Instagram account is the authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity or global brand.

Y'all've probably seen plenty of verification badges effectually. As with Twitter, Facebook and, yes, Tinder, the little blue checkmarks are meant to betoken that the platform has confirmed the account in question is trustworthy, or at least they are who they say they are.

These badges are designed to make the real accounts stand up out, so that Instagram users can be sure they're following the right person or brand. They're easy to spot in search results and on profiles, and they convey authority.

Instagram Creators profile blue checkmark badge

Source: @creators

Information technology's piece of cake to run into why verification badges are also a coveted status symbol. They're rare, and exclusivity lends a sure amount of prestige—which may or may not translate to better engagement.

That said, Instagram is clear that verified accounts (simply like business accounts) don't get special treatment from the Instagram algorithm. In other words: if it is true that verified accounts earn college engagement on average, information technology's because they're posting great content that resonates with their audience.

Who can get verified on Instagram?

Anyone can asking a verified badge on Instagram. All the same, Instagram is notoriously picky (and in many ways mysterious) about who really gets verified. So, if you're running an account that's right on the cusp of "notable," how practice you know if you meet the criteria?

Only because you have a blue checkmark on Twitter or Facebook, for case, doesn't guarantee you'll get ane on Instagram.

Instagram is blunt, proverb that "Only some public figures, celebrities, and brands have verified badges on Instagram." In other words: "only accounts with a high likelihood of being impersonated."

Here is what we practice know nigh eligibility.

First, you lot must adhere to the network'due south Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. On top of that, your business relationship must run across each of these criteria:

  • Accurate: does your account represent a real person, registered concern, or make? You cannot be a meme page or a fan business relationship.
  • Unique: just one business relationship per person or business can get Instagram verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
  • Public: individual Instagram accounts do non authorize for verification.
  • Consummate: do you have a consummate bio, contour photograph, and at least one post?
  • Notable: this is where things get subjective, but Instagram defines a notable proper name as i that is "well-known" and "highly searched for."

If yous're relatively confident you encounter these criteria, or you just feel like rolling the dice, it's fourth dimension to get alee and verify your Instagram account.

Can yous go an Instagram verification badge without being famous?

The skillful news is: Yous can!

As long as you are able to check off all of the criteria listed above and provide proof of "notability" (i.e. testify that person, make, system, publication or pet your account represents is in the public interest), you tin go verified on Instagram. Technically, follower count is not a criterion when information technology comes to Instagram verification.

Source: Instagram

How to apply to become verified on Instagram: half dozen steps

The verification procedure on Instagram is actually quite simple:

  1. Go to your contour and tap the hamburger icon in the top right corner
  2. Tap Settings
  3. Tap Business relationship
  4. Tap Request Verification
    apply for Instagram verification page
  5. Fill in the application form.
    • Your legal name
    • Your "known as" or working proper name (if applicable)
    • Select your category or industry (for example: blogger/influencer, sports, news/media, business organisation/brand/system, etc.)
    • You likewise need to submit a photo of your official government ID. For individuals, that could be a driver's license or passport. For businesses, a utility pecker, an official concern document, or taxation filings volition do.
  6. Tap Send.

Co-ordinate to Instagram, afterwards their team reviews your awarding, you'll receive a response in your notifications tab. Because of historical and ongoing issues with scammers, Instagram is very clear that they will never email yous, enquire for money, or otherwise reach out.

Within a few days or a week, you lot'll receive a direct yes or no. No feedback or explanation.

This is what a no looks like:

Instagram account does not meet criteria for verification message

And here's a yes, break out the bubbly:

Instagram account meets criteria for verification message

Tips to become verified on Instagram

So, yes, anyone tin can apply for verification on Instagram. But really getting approved is a lot tougher.

We've gone ahead and compiled all the best practices that volition maximize your chances of success equally you motility forward with your quest to prove your brand's noteworthiness.

Don't effort to buy a verification bluecoat

We'll go this one out of the manner first: that guy in your comments who says his friend works for Instagram? Please do not give him money.

Same goes for any third-political party app or random account that offers "total refunds."

Same goes for an account that DMs you lot considering they want to sell y'all their badge because they "don't need it anymore."

third party scam accounts pretending to sell Instagram badges

Instagram scammers know that people and businesses feel outsized emotions about the blueish bank check, and some are pretty effective at actualization legit, so stay on your guard. And call up that Instagram volition never asking payment, and will never contact you lot.

Tl;dr: The just style to get verified is through the official course, unless y'all are Jennifer Aniston (in which example, curl down to Tip #7: Work with an bureau or publicist, or maybe stop reading this commodity entirely because y'all're doing great!).

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Monitor for impostor accounts

If you're struggling with persistent unauthorized, fake, or fan accounts impersonating your brand, then we have good news for you. You're a prime candidate for verification on Instagram. Afterwards all, distinguishing real accounts from faux ones is verification's stated purpose.

Your annual social media audit should make information technology clear whether impostor accounts are a problem for you. You'll want to monitor and certificate these accounts using a social media monitoring tool like Zerofox'due south Hootsuite integration.

Go more (real) followers

Look, nosotros don't have the numbers merely information technology honestly feels sometimes like you need a ridiculous number of followers in order to go verified. In that location is absolutely no evidence that this is a real rule, but—it tin't injure? Or maybe correlation does not imply causation subsequently all?

Actually, what is more than likely is that every bit people or brands go more noteworthy on and off Instagram, follower counts rise alongside.

If you lot want to hedge your bets and play it both means—chicken and egg—here'southward some inspiration for how to get more Instagram followers.

Pro Tip: Just don't effort to have a shortcut and purchase your Instagram followers. (Plus, breaking the Community Guidelines and then request Instagram to examine your business relationship is a very effective way to get your account shut downwardly.)

Delete any cantankerous-platform links in your bio

In what some might phone call a slightly niggling motility (we would never cartel), Instagram insists that verified accounts can't take so-called "add me" links to other social media services in their Instagram profiles. You can include links to your website, landing pages, or other online backdrop, only definitely don't link to your YouTube or Twitter account.

On the other hand, if you have a bluish checkmark on your Facebook profile but not on your Instagram account, Instagram does explicitly encourage you to link to your Instagram business relationship from your Facebook page to aid prove your authenticity.

Be highly-searched for

Social media is all about serendipitous, organic discovery (this is what the Instagram Explore folio is for, anyhow—and making it big there can have a real impact on your engagement and follower count).

Simply when it comes to verification, Instagram wants to know if people intendance virtually you lot plenty to tear themselves away from the seductions of the feed and spontaneously type your proper noun into the search bar.

While Instagram doesn't provide analytics on this data, nosotros'd put coin on the fact that Instagram'southward verification team does accept access, and volition check up on how often users are searching for you. Which leads us to our next point…

Employ when your name is in the news

Google yourself. Has your make been featured in multiple news sources? Did a recent press release or white newspaper become picked up? Exercise you have a sound bite or a contour in a major international publication? Paid or promotional content definitely does non count.

If PR hasn't been a priority for your brand thus far, you might accept a more difficult time proving how "notable" y'all are. Peculiarly because at that place'southward no place to submit your proof: Instagram does its ain research, so it's up to yous to make certain your news is above the fold and impossible to ignore.

If y'all've recently experienced a windfall of attention, or you're planning a large annunciation, recall almost capitalizing on it and applying for that checkmark while your proper noun is hot.

Piece of work with an agency or publicist

If y'all accept the upkeep and the ambition, rent a reputable digital bureau that has access to Facebook'south Media Partner Support tools. Your publicist or agent will exist able to submit requests to merits usernames, merge accounts, and get accounts verified through their manufacture-only portal.

Is verification guaranteed? Of course not. Merely a request from an industry professional through the Media Partner Support panel carries more weight and distinguishes you from the crowd.

Be honest

This tip should be a no-brainer, but because the consequences are dire we feel compelled to highlight information technology. In your application to be verified, you accept to be true above all else.

Use your real name. Choose an appropriate category. Definitely don't falsify whatsoever government documents.

If you stretch the truth anywhere in your application, Instagram says that it volition not just deny your request, but it may delete your account as well.

Make sure you contour and bio are complete and effective

Instagram's listed requirements for verification (a bio, a profile pic and one postal service? really?) are a low bar. You don't just want to come across it. You desire to hurtle over it.

Optimizing your Instagram bio will not just impress the verification team when they come to bank check you out, merely can pay ongoing dividends in the form of new followers and conversions.

If you lot're turned downward the first time, effort again

If, later on all your difficult work, Instagram comes dorsum with a rejection, embrace the opportunity to cipher in on your goals and redouble your efforts.

Hone your Instagram strategy, build a dedicated following, and earn fizz off the platform besides.

And so, whether you look the xxx required days or spend a few fiscal quarters hit your KPIs, yous tin can apply once again.

How to stay verified on Instagram

In one case yous've earned your badge, how do you keep it? Information technology'due south pretty simple. Instagram verification seems to be awarded in perpetuity, even if you're no longer doing the thing that made you "notable." But here are the hard and fast rules.

Keep your account public

A public, unlocked business relationship is necessary to apply for verification, and necessary to stay verified.

Play by the rules

Flouting Instagram'south Terms of Use and Customs Guidelines will get any account disabled or deleted, merely with great ability comes slap-up responsibility. Verified accounts don't get a free pass on existence ethical, authentic and upstanding members of the community.

Getting verified is just the start

The rules require an accented bare minimum of activity to go on your Instagram verification badge: a profile film and one mail service. Nosotros don't recommend doing less than that. We recommend doing way, manner more.

Take advantage of your new blue seal of authority, nail your Instagram strategy, and get posting engaging content for your audience. Brands don't live and die by the checkmark lone.

Save time managing your Instagram presence by using Hootsuite to schedule and publish posts, abound your audience, and track success with easy-to-utilize analytics—all from the same dashboard that you run your other social media profiles on. Try it gratuitous today.

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