The Ultimate Guide to Getting Verified on Instagram

Understanding Instagram’s Verification Process

Getting verified on Instagram means having a blue checkmark next to your account name, indicating that Instagram has confirmed your account’s authenticity, uniqueness, and credibility. This blue badge is a symbol of trust, authority, and prestige on the platform, as it signals that you are a notable public figure, celebrity, brand, or organization.

However, Instagram’s verification process is not a simple or automatic procedure, as the platform receives millions of verification requests every day, but only approves a small percentage of them. Therefore, to increase your chances of getting verified, you need to understand the criteria and requirements that Instagram uses to evaluate your account.

Firstly, Instagram considers your account’s notability, which means that you need to demonstrate that you are a well-known and highly searched-for figure in your industry, profession, or field. This can be shown through your press coverage, Wikipedia page, Google search results, or other relevant sources of information.

Secondly, Instagram verifies the authenticity of your account, by confirming that you are the actual owner of the account, and that you have not violated any of the platform’s rules, such as impersonation, spamming, or buying followers. Therefore, you need to provide Instagram with your government-issued ID, your full name, and your unique identity.

Lastly, Instagram evaluates your account’s completeness, meaning that you have provided all the necessary information, such as your bio, profile picture, and contact details, and that your account is active and engaged with your followers. This can be achieved by posting high-quality and relevant content, using Instagram’s features such as stories, reels, and IGTV, and interacting with your followers through comments, messages, and collaborations.

By understanding Instagram’s verification process and meeting its criteria, you can increase your chances of getting verified and gaining more visibility, credibility, and success on the platform.

Building Your Brand and Presence on Instagram

To get verified on Instagram, you need to have a strong and consistent brand presence on the platform. This means that you need to establish your brand identity, values, and voice, and communicate them effectively to your followers and audience.

Firstly, you need to define your brand’s niche and target audience, by identifying your unique selling proposition, your ideal customer persona, and your competitive advantage. This will help you create content that resonates with your audience and positions you as an authority in your industry or field.

Secondly, you need to optimize your Instagram profile, by using a clear and concise bio that summarizes your brand’s mission and benefits, using a high-quality profile picture that represents your brand visually, and adding your contact information and website link for easy access.

Thirdly, you need to create and curate content that aligns with your brand’s message and values, by using a consistent visual style, tone of voice, and storytelling approach. You can use various content formats, such as photos, videos, captions, and hashtags, to showcase your brand’s personality and engage your followers.

Fourthly, you need to grow your Instagram audience, by using organic and paid methods, such as following relevant accounts, engaging with your followers and industry peers, collaborating with influencers, using Instagram ads, and leveraging other social media platforms to cross-promote your Instagram account.

Lastly, you need to measure and analyze your Instagram performance, by using Instagram’s insights and other analytics tools, to track your audience demographics, engagement rates, reach, and conversions. This will help you refine your strategy and improve your content to achieve your goals.

By building a strong and consistent brand presence on Instagram, you can not only increase your chances of getting verified but also grow your audience, enhance your brand’s reputation, and generate more business opportunities.

Creating Quality Content and Building Engagement

Creating high-quality and engaging content is essential for getting verified on Instagram, as it showcases your brand’s value proposition, creativity, and relevance to your audience. Moreover, engaging with your followers and other Instagram users is crucial for building a community, establishing trust, and gaining more visibility on the platform.

Here are some tips for creating quality content and building engagement on Instagram:

1. Define your content themes and pillars, by identifying the topics, formats, and styles that align with your brand’s message and values, and that appeal to your target audience.

2. Use high-quality visuals and captions, by using professional photos or videos that are visually appealing and that tell a story or evoke emotions. Also, use captions that are informative, entertaining, or inspiring, and that encourage your followers to engage with your content.

3. Use hashtags strategically, by using relevant and trending hashtags that can help your content reach a wider audience and increase your visibility on Instagram. Also, create your own branded hashtags to promote your campaigns or events and encourage user-generated content.

4. Engage with your followers and other Instagram users, by responding to their comments, messages, or tags, and by liking, sharing, or commenting on their content. This shows that you value their feedback and opinions, and that you are part of the Instagram community.

5. Use Instagram’s features, such as stories, reels, IGTV, or live streams, to diversify your content and showcase your brand’s personality and creativity. Also, use Instagram’s polls, quizzes, or questions to interact with your followers and get their feedback or opinions.

By creating quality content and building engagement on Instagram, you can not only increase your chances of getting verified but also grow your audience, enhance your brand’s reputation, and generate more business opportunities.

Leveraging External Press and Social Proof

Leveraging external press and social proof is a powerful strategy for getting verified on Instagram, as it provides third-party validation and credibility to your brand, and increases your visibility and reputation beyond Instagram’s platform. Moreover, having a strong external presence can help you attract more followers, partners, and customers, and enhance your brand’s authority and influence in your industry or field.

Here are some ways to leverage external press and social proof for getting verified on Instagram:

1. Get featured in media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, podcasts, or blogs, by pitching your brand’s story or expertise to relevant journalists or editors. This can help you increase your brand’s visibility, credibility, and authority, and also provide you with content that you can share on Instagram.

2. Get endorsed by influencers or celebrities, by collaborating with them on campaigns, events, or content. This can help you tap into their followers’ audience and gain more exposure and engagement on Instagram, as well as enhance your brand’s association and reputation.

3. Get recognized by awards or certifications, by applying for industry or local awards, or getting certified by relevant organizations or institutions. This can help you demonstrate your brand’s excellence, expertise, and innovation, and also provide you with a badge or logo that you can display on your Instagram profile.

4. Get social proof from customer reviews, testimonials, or case studies, by showcasing your customers’ success stories, feedback, or recommendations. This can help you build trust and credibility with your audience and potential customers, and also encourage them to engage with your brand and follow you on Instagram.

5. Get featured in other social media platforms or websites, by guest posting, cross-promoting, or collaborating with other brands or influencers. This can help you tap into their audience and followers and increase your brand’s reach and engagement on Instagram, as well as provide you with more content that you can share on Instagram.

By leveraging external press and social proof, you can not only increase your chances of getting verified but also enhance your brand’s reputation, authority, and influence, and generate more business opportunities and partnerships.

Applying for Verification and What to Expect

After you have met Instagram’s criteria and requirements for verification, you can apply for verification by submitting a request through the Instagram app. However, the verification process can take some time, and there is no guarantee that you will be approved, even if you meet all the requirements.

Here are some steps to apply for verification on Instagram and what to expect during the process:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.

2. Tap on Settings, then Account, and then Request Verification.

3. Fill out the verification form, by providing your full name, your username, a copy of your government-issued ID, and other relevant information that supports your notability, authenticity, and completeness.

4. Submit the verification request and wait for Instagram’s response. Instagram may take several days or weeks to review your request and may ask for additional information or clarification.

5. If Instagram approves your verification request, you will receive a notification, and the blue checkmark will appear next to your account name. If Instagram denies your verification request, you will receive a notification, and you can reapply after 30 days.

During the verification process, it is essential to continue creating high-quality content, engaging with your followers, and building your brand presence on Instagram. Also, avoid buying followers or using spammy tactics, as this can harm your chances of getting verified and may even result in account suspension or termination.

In conclusion, applying for verification on Instagram requires meeting specific criteria and requirements, creating quality content, building engagement, leveraging external press and social proof, and submitting a verification request through the Instagram app. By following these steps and being patient, you can increase your chances of getting verified and gaining more visibility, credibility, and success on the platform.