This is how to get verified on Instagram

Ever wondered how many followers you need to be verified on Instagram, or if there are any shortcuts or tricks? Here’s the truth.

So you want to get verified on Instagram, huh? Anyone who’s ever wanted to grow their following has probably at some point wanted to get that sought after blue badge.

In August 2018, Instagram decided to open up the process to get verified and today, any account can request verification from Instagram directly.

Submitting a request is fairly simple and straightforward, the tricky part is to get approved. Before you send your application, check the list below to make sure you meet all the requirements.

What you need to do to get verified

What does it take to get that blue badge? It’s no longer a secret, on Instagram’s help center you can read the requirements. As a general advice, being real and following the rules is a good start. Here’s the full list:

1. Follow the rules: Rules are there for a reason. Make sure you at all times follow Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. This means exactly just that, no frills. Follow the guidelines and use common sense. If you’re unsure of whether something is accepted behaviour or not, it’s always better to be safe and not to do it at all.

2. Be authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business or entity. This means no fake accounts, parody accounts and or fanpages. For businesses this should be no problem. Try to post unique and real content that can be associated with your business and use a name that can’t be linked to someone else.

3. Be unique: Instagram doesn’t verify general interest accounts. That means a no to inspirational puppy meme pages or accounts that rely mainly on curated content from other sources. Only one account per person or business can be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.

4. Complete your profile: To get verified your account must have a bio, profile photo and at least one post. Fill in all fields and make sure you use your bio in a smart way. Explain what your business is doing or what your brand is all about.

5. Make your account public: Your account must be public to be verified. If you have a private account, make it public before submitting your request.

6. No “add me” links: Although it can be tempting, don’t include links to other social networks in your Instagram profile. It will immediately get your application in the “no” pile.

7. Be notable: Even though you meet all the other requirements, your request can still be denied if you’re not a well-known person or highly searched for brand. Yes, that’s right, not just anyone can get verified. To be considered your brand must be featured in multiple news sources, paid and promotional content doesn’t count. The more earned media you get, the better chance you will have of being considered as notable.

8. Honesty, always: If you provide false or misleading information, Instagram will remove your verified badge and possibly delete your account or get you suspended. So don’t lie.

9. Follower count is not everything: You’ve probably already guessed it by now, but having thousands of followers won’t automatically get you verified. There are several accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers that aren’t verified and there are also profiles with a small following that are verified. So the numbers aren’t really important. What it takes is an account that is real, unique and highly searched for.

How to apply

To begin with, check the list at the bottom of this article to make sure you meet the requirements. Once that’s done, this is how you submit your request:

1. Go to your profile, make sure first that you’re logged into the account you want to get verified.

2. Click the hamburger menu icon on the right-hand side of your profile.

3. Go to Settings and scroll down the list to where it says Request verification, then click it.

4. Submit your full name. If you have a business account, add the name of the of the person who manages the account.

5. Click Choose File and attach a photo of your ID, such as your passport or national identification card. Here is a full list of what type of identification documents are accepted. You can upload an image or open your camera and take photo of your ID.

6. Tap Send to submit your verification request.

And now what?

That’s all, you’ve just applied for verification. But just because you think you deserve a badge, the Instagram moderators might have a different opinion.

Your application will now be reviewed and the process can take several weeks. All you can do at this point is sit back and wait and wonder. After the decision has been made, you’ll get notified in the app whether or not your request was approved. Don’t be sad if your request is denied, you can reapply after 30 days.

If you struggle getting approved, check the list at the top of this article again to make sure you didn’t miss anything. A quick tip is to invest some time doing more PR, chances are Instagram doesn’t think you meet the “well-known” requirement and if you’re not a highly searched for brand, entity or person the answer will still be “no” even if you meet all the other requirements.

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