How to Get Verified on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide to Earning That Blue Check

Earning the coveted blue checkmark on Instagram is a badge of honor. It signifies that Instagram has verified your account as the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity, global brand, or entity it represents. Verification not only adds credibility to your profile but also helps users distinguish you from imposters and fan accounts. While the process isn’t always easy, and not everyone is eligible, this comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed steps and strategies to increase your chances of getting verified on Instagram.

Why Get Verified on Instagram?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why verification is so desirable:

* **Authenticity:** The blue checkmark confirms to users that your account is the real deal, preventing confusion and potential scams.
* **Credibility:** Verification lends authority to your profile, making you appear more trustworthy and reliable.
* **Visibility:** Verified accounts often receive preferential treatment in search results and suggested user lists, increasing their visibility.
* **Exclusivity:** The blue badge is a status symbol, signifying that you’ve reached a certain level of recognition and influence.
* **Protection against Impersonation:** Verification makes it harder for imposters to create fake accounts that could damage your reputation.

Who is Eligible for Instagram Verification?

Instagram has specific eligibility requirements for verification. You must adhere to Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. The requirements can be summarized as follows:

* **Authentic:** Your account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity.
* **Unique:** Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Only one account per person or business can be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
* **Complete:** Your account must be public and have a complete profile, including a bio, profile picture, and at least one post. It cannot contain “add me” links to other social media platforms.
* **Notable:** Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand, or entity. Instagram reviews accounts that are featured in multiple news sources and considers paid or promotional content. They don’t consider paid or promotional content as sources.

It’s important to note that simply being popular or having a large following doesn’t guarantee verification. Instagram prioritizes accounts of public figures, celebrities, and global brands.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Instagram Verification

If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements, follow these steps to apply for verification:

1. **Log in to your Instagram account:** Open the Instagram app on your phone or tablet and log in to the account you want to verify.
2. **Go to your profile:** Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. **Open the menu:** Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner of the screen.
4. **Go to Settings:** Tap on “Settings” at the bottom of the menu.
5. **Tap on Account:** Scroll down and tap on “Account”.
6. **Request Verification:** Tap on “Request Verification”.
7. **Fill out the application form:**
* **Full Name:** Enter your full legal name or the full name of your business.
* **Known As:** Enter the name you are commonly known as (e.g., your stage name, brand name). You can also list other names people might know you by.
* **Category:** Select the category that best describes your account (e.g., News/Media, Sports, Music, Fashion, Government/Politics).
* **Attach Photo of ID:** You will need to upload a clear photo of a government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license) or official business documents (e.g., tax filing, articles of incorporation). The name on the ID or document must match the name you entered in the “Full Name” field.
8. **Add Links (Optional but Highly Recommended):** In the “Please add any articles, social media accounts, or other links that show your account is in the public interest” section, provide up to five links to news articles, press releases, other social media profiles, or websites that demonstrate your notability. *This is the most crucial part of the application.* Choose your links carefully and ensure they are from reputable sources.
9. **Submit your application:** Once you have filled out the form and attached the necessary documents, tap on “Send” at the bottom of the screen.

Optimizing Your Profile for Verification

While submitting the application is a formal step, several things can be done *before* applying to increase your chances of approval. Your Instagram profile is the first thing the Instagram team will evaluate, so optimizing it is crucial.

* **Profile Picture:** Use a high-quality, professional-looking profile picture that clearly identifies you or your brand. For individuals, use a headshot. For businesses, use your logo.
* **Bio:** Craft a concise and compelling bio that clearly explains who you are and what you do. Use keywords relevant to your industry or niche. Avoid promotional language or self-aggrandizing claims.
* **Website Link:** Include a link to your official website. This is a crucial element of proving your authenticity and providing additional information about you or your business.
* **Post Regularly:** Maintain an active and engaging presence on Instagram. Posting consistently demonstrates that you are committed to the platform and provides valuable content to your followers.
* **Engage with your Audience:** Respond to comments and messages, participate in relevant conversations, and build a community around your brand. Engagement shows that you are a real person or business, not a bot or fake account.
* **Remove Incomplete or Suspicious Content:** Delete any old posts, stories, or highlights that no longer reflect your current brand or image. Remove anything that could be considered spammy, misleading, or offensive.
* **Ensure your Account is Public:** Your account *must* be public to be considered for verification. A private account cannot be verified.

Strategic Link Building: Showcasing Your Notability

The “Links” section of the verification application is your opportunity to prove your notability. Don’t underestimate the power of well-chosen links. Here’s how to approach it strategically:

* **Prioritize News Articles:** Links to news articles from reputable media outlets are the most effective way to demonstrate notability. Search for articles that mention you or your brand in a significant way.
* **Focus on Independent Coverage:** Avoid linking to paid or promotional content, such as press releases or sponsored posts. Instagram specifically states that they do not consider these types of sources.
* **Highlight Significant Achievements:** Include links that showcase your accomplishments, awards, or recognition in your field.
* **Use a Variety of Sources:** If possible, include links from different types of sources, such as news websites, industry publications, and blogs.
* **Choose Recent Links:** Prioritize links that are relatively recent, as they demonstrate your current relevance. However, if you have a particularly strong older article, you can include it. The links should ideally be within the last 1-2 years, but impactful articles from even earlier can still be valuable.
* **Consider Wikipedia (Carefully):** A Wikipedia page about you or your brand can be a strong indicator of notability. However, Wikipedia has strict notability guidelines, so ensure your page meets those criteria before linking to it. If your Wikipedia page is poorly written, lacks citations, or is marked for deletion, it could actually hurt your chances of verification.
* **Link to Verified Social Media Profiles (Other Platforms):** If you have verified accounts on other platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube, include links to those profiles. This helps to establish your overall online presence and credibility.

**Examples of Good Links:**

* A news article about your company launching a new product.
* An interview with you in a major industry publication.
* A feature story about your work in a national newspaper.
* An award you received for your contributions to your field.
* A verified Twitter profile with a substantial following.

**Examples of Bad Links:**

* A press release announcing your company’s new product launch.
* A sponsored post on a blog promoting your services.
* A link to your personal blog with no established readership.
* A link to a social media profile with a small number of followers.
* A link to a Wikipedia page that is poorly written or lacks citations.

What Happens After You Apply?

After submitting your application, Instagram will review your request and notify you of their decision. This process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You will receive a notification in the app informing you whether your request was approved or denied.

* **If Approved:** Congratulations! You will receive a blue checkmark next to your name on your profile. This badge will be visible to all users and will help to distinguish you from imposters.
* **If Denied:** Don’t be discouraged. You can reapply for verification after 30 days. Use this time to improve your profile, build your online presence, and gather more evidence of your notability. Carefully analyze the reasons for the denial and address them specifically in your next application.

Reasons for Verification Denial

Understanding why your application might be denied can help you improve your chances of success in the future. Common reasons for denial include:

* **Insufficient Notability:** Instagram may not believe that you are well-known or highly searched-for enough to warrant verification. This is the most common reason for denial.
* **Incomplete or Inaccurate Information:** If you provide false or misleading information in your application, your request will likely be denied.
* **Lack of Supporting Documentation:** If you fail to provide adequate documentation to support your claims of notability, your application will be rejected.
* **Violation of Instagram’s Terms of Service or Community Guidelines:** If your account violates Instagram’s terms or guidelines, you will not be verified.
* **Profile Incompleteness:** If your profile is incomplete (missing a profile picture, bio, or posts), your application will be rejected.

Tips for Reapplying After a Denial

If your verification request is denied, don’t give up. Here are some tips for improving your chances of success when you reapply:

* **Address the Reasons for Denial:** Carefully review the feedback from Instagram and address any specific concerns they raised. If they said you lacked notability, focus on building your online presence and securing more media coverage.
* **Improve Your Profile:** Make sure your profile is complete, professional, and up-to-date. Use a high-quality profile picture, write a compelling bio, and link to your official website.
* **Build Your Online Presence:** Increase your presence on other social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Engage with your audience, create valuable content, and build a strong following.
* **Get More Media Coverage:** Actively seek out opportunities to be featured in news articles, industry publications, and blogs. This will help to demonstrate your notability to Instagram.
* **Re-evaluate your Links:** Ensure that the links you are providing are to reliable sources, not to self-promotional or sponsored content. Look for articles that talk *about* you, rather than articles *written by* you.
* **Wait the Full 30 Days:** Instagram requires you to wait 30 days before reapplying. Use this time wisely to improve your profile and build your online presence.

Maintaining Your Verified Status

Getting verified is just the first step. You need to maintain your verified status by adhering to Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines. Instagram may remove your verification badge if you:

* **Violate Instagram’s Terms of Service or Community Guidelines:** Any violation of Instagram’s rules can result in the loss of your verification badge.
* **Transfer Your Account:** You cannot transfer your verified badge to another account.
* **Change Your Account’s Purpose:** If you significantly change the purpose of your account, Instagram may remove your verification badge.
* **Attempt to Sell Your Verification Badge:** Selling or attempting to sell your verification badge is strictly prohibited.

Alternatives to Verification

If you are unable to get verified on Instagram, there are other ways to build trust and credibility with your audience:

* **Use a Professional Profile Picture:** A high-quality profile picture can make your account look more professional and trustworthy.
* **Write a Clear and Concise Bio:** Your bio should clearly explain who you are and what you do.
* **Share High-Quality Content:** Consistently share valuable and engaging content that resonates with your audience.
* **Engage with Your Audience:** Respond to comments and messages, participate in relevant conversations, and build a community around your brand.
* **Promote Your Instagram Account on Other Platforms:** Link to your Instagram account from your website, email signature, and other social media profiles.
* **Partner with Verified Accounts:** Collaborating with verified accounts can help to increase your visibility and credibility.

Conclusion

Getting verified on Instagram is a challenging but rewarding process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, optimizing your profile, and building your online presence, you can increase your chances of earning that coveted blue checkmark. Remember that verification is not just about status; it’s about building trust and credibility with your audience. Even if you don’t get verified, there are other ways to establish yourself as a reputable and authoritative voice in your field. Focus on creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and building a strong online presence, and you will be well on your way to success on Instagram.

Good luck with your application!